Baker Mayfield beating out two Big Ten backs for Heisman Trophy lead spot

With Heisman Trophy ballots due Dec. 4, here are five players who have the best shot at hoisting the stiff-armed trophy:

1. Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma: In last week's track meet that doubled as Sooners vs. Oklahoma State in the Bedlam Game, Mayfield all but locked up the Heisman. He passed for 598 yards and five TDs in a 62-52 Oklahoma victory. He has 28 TD passes to five interceptions, and is completing a nation's-best 71.7 percent of his passes. Unless he implodes Saturday vs. TCU, the trophy is his.

2. Bryce Love, RB, Stanford: His candidacy took a hit with a 69-yard rushing day in a loss to Washington State last week, but Love still leads the nation in rushing yards per game (182) and is averaging 9.6 yards per carry. He could boost his stock with big games Friday vs. No. 9 Washington and Nov. 25 vs. No. 3 Notre Dame.

3. Khalil Tate, QB, Arizona: Tate might be the best player you rarely hear about. The QB doesn't pass much — 98 times this season — but he's rushed for 1,087 yards and nine TDs, averaging 11.4 yards per carry.

4. Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State: Through September, the Heisman was Barkley's to lose, and he has, with only 44 rushing yards in a loss to Ohio State and 63 in a loss to Michigan State. Still, he is averaging 195.7 all-purpose yards per game.

5. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin: Like the Badgers, the true freshman just keeps plugging away. He ranks fourth nationally with 152 rushing yards per game for unbeaten Wisconsin. He can help his case with big games against Iowa, Michigan and the likely appearance in the Big Ten Championship Game.

Randy Johnson