Mayfield exacts revenge, shows pro potential in victory vs. Ohio State

Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield shone under the bright lights of Ohio Stadium on Saturday evening, exacting revenge against second-ranked Ohio State.

Mayfield was seething leading up to the game, in large part due to Buckeyes fans loudly basking in their 45-24 victory on Oklahoma's home soil last season.

"Everybody that was here for last year's huge loss definitely remembers that. And we talked about it during camp," Mayfield said Tuesday, according to Eric Bailey of Tulsa World. "We've never been here for a team to sing their fight song on our field. Quite frankly, it's just embarrassing. It's embarrassing. We let down our fans, our coaches, and everybody that supports our program to allow them to sing O-H-I-O on our field."

Mayfield sent a warning shot to the rest of college football's superpowers Saturday while posting 386 yards and three touchdowns on 27-of-35 passing: Infuriate him at your own peril.

UCLA's Josh Rosen, USC's Sam Darnold, Wyoming's Josh Allen, and Louisville's Lamar Jackson have largely occupied the conversation leading into the 2018 NFL Draft, with many prognosticators believing each QB is capable of being taken in the first round.

Related: Remember me? Lamar Jackson proving he's still college football's best player

Mayfield, who was almost certainly aware of his perpetual omission from the debate, carved up Ohio State while showing NFL-level acumen. In the above clip, Mayfield sells a handoff to perfection, quickly looks off his initial target, then delivers a perfect strike to Lee Morris to take the lead. It's the subtleties that matter here, and Mayfield's calmness under pressure won't go unnoticed in NFL teams' extensive film evaluation this winter.

Mayfield proved to be one of the most cerebral quarterbacks in the NCAA, with his pocket presence and football acumen on full display against the reigning national semifinalist. In the highlight below, the senior quarterback looks off his initial target once again, freezing an oncoming Ohio State outside linebacker, resets, then darts away from another defender at the last possible second before finding Trey Sermon for a 10-yard score.

This year's collegiate quarterback cohort is destined for stardom at the professional level. Count Mayfield among that group, or run the risk of getting scalped mercilessly on the grandest of stages while Oklahoma sets its sights on a national title.