Heisman Power Rankings: Jackson, Rosen lose ground on Mayfield
A chaotic third weekend of the college football season shook up the Heisman rankings considerably, though the same five faces from a week ago occupy the five available places on the list.
Here's where the compelling race stands after Week 3:
5. Josh Rosen, QB - UCLA
A pair of interceptions and a loss to Memphis nearly caused Rosen to slide out of the top five altogether, but he still leads the FBS in passing yards and passing touchdowns, which can't be ignored. Rosen's gunslinging mentality cost UCLA dearly Saturday, and he's gotten away with a number of other questionable decisions this season, but his gaudy numbers and opening-week heroics versus Texas A&M are still enough for a spot on the list.
4. Lamar Jackson, QB - Louisville
Jackson was neck-and-neck with Baker Mayfield a week ago, but the Louisville pivot had his worst performance of the season versus Clemson, forcing him down the rankings as well. After torching Purdue and North Carolina in the first two weeks, Jackson completed only 50 percent of his throws against the Tigers, and committed his first interception in a lopsided loss on the Cardinals' home field.
3. Saquon Barkley, RB - Penn State
Barkley had a season-low 47 rushing yards against Georgia State, but he led Penn State in receiving with 142 yards, including an 85-yard touchdown, proving again how versatile he is out of the backfield. Barkley and the Nittany Lions have had three relatively easy games to begin the campaign, so his legs should be fresh as he prepares to face Iowa.
2. Mason Rudolph, QB - Oklahoma State
It's still difficult to pinpoint the competition level Rudolph has faced this season, mainly because he's dismantled everything thrown at him thus far. Rudolph faced his first Power 5 opponent of the year in Week 3, and he hung a season-best 497 yards and five touchdowns on Pitt. He spent most of the second half on the bench while the Cowboys coasted to a third blowout victory in as many weeks.
1. Baker Mayfield, QB - Oklahoma
Mayfield did nothing to hurt his Heisman stock over the weekend, throwing for 331 yards and four touchdowns against Tulane in another Oklahoma win. With his closest contenders from a week ago falling, Mayfield stretched his gap in the race, and is now the clear favorite to capture the award, though there's plenty of time for that to change.
(All photos courtesy: Action Images)