Welcome to the start of Baker Mayfield trophy week.
The Oklahoma quarterback won't be the only player collecting hardware this week, with the awards show in Atlanta. He'll just be dominating the process by achievement and personality.
To no one's surprise, Mayfield was named one of three Heisman Trophy finalists Monday. And there's a high possibility he'll hear his name called Saturday in New York as the latest tenant of the Heisman House.
Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson, who won the award in 2016 and is a finalist this year, has similar numbers to last season (3,489 yards passing, 1,443 yards rushing, 42 touchdowns accounted for) but not Heisman moments like last season's decimation of Florida State. The third finalist is Stanford's Bryce Love, who has 1,973 yards rushing and 12 runs of 50 yards or more. But Stanford has four losses, just like Louisville.
Mayfield has helped Oklahoma to the No. 2 ranking in the College Football Playoff and a semifinal date with Georgia at the Rose Bowl. He's on pace to break his own passing efficiency ranking record without the weapons of last year. Mayfield is basically an extension of coach Lincoln Riley's vision on the field, buying time and making difficult plays routine.
Not long ago, people worried about Heisman winners and the distractions of the awards circuit. But Heisman winners are 7-2 in the postseason this decade with Cam Newton, Jameis Winston and Derrick Henry winning national titles.
If one player is distraction proof, it's Mayfield. His entire college career has played out in public with triumphs and controversies and feuds.
A couple of years ago, I called him the Van Wilder of college football after the Ryan Reynolds' movie character, a seventh-year senior. He still is, although it's only year five.
Case in point: Georgia fans obtained Mayfield's cellphone number overnight Sunday. Mayfield's response was pretty much what you would expect, via Twitter.
"To whoever posted my cell #, bravo. But I got it changed! And to the Georgia fans that had the kind words of encouragement ... I applaude your creativity," Mayfield tweeted.
