Kellis Robinett’s Weekly Big 12 Report: Baker Mayfield puts Oklahoma, himself in national spotlight

Baker Mayfield forced himself into the national conversation for the Heisman Trophy on Saturday by throwing for 270 yards and three touchdowns in a stirring road victory over Baylor.

Oklahoma is the hottest team in the Big 12 and its quarterback is a big reason.

If the Sooners win their final two games – against TCU and at Oklahoma State -- they will win the conference championship and stand a strong chance of reaching college football’s playoff. In that scenario, Mayfield could be on his way to New York for the Heisman ceremony.

Oklahoma went so far as to launch a Heisman campaign for Mayfield on social media, sharing an eight-bit animation of Mayfield in which he shows off his signature dance move – the whip – and the message “Baker 4 Heisman” flashes.

“Baker is a great talent with a very accurate arm, and his ability to make something out of nothing is unique,” OU coach Bob Stoops said Monday during the Big 12 coaches teleconference. “He’s got great competitiveness and an excellent feel for the game, which makes him a tremendous leader.”

Mayfield has a long way to go before he can pass Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, Alabama running back Derrick Henry and Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott in the minds of voters, but he is the Big 12’s top current option, passing TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin and Baylor receiver Corey Coleman.

It’s hard to believe Mayfield started his career as a walkon at Texas Tech. The Austin native transferred to Oklahoma unannounced and many expecting him to serve as nothing more than a backup to incumbent Trevor Knight.

But he has exceeded those low expectations, guiding the Sooners back into the mix for a national championship.

He flashed a strong arm and fast feet against Baylor. Many wrote off Oklahoma after it shockingly lost to Texas, but the Sooners have annihilated every team in their path since, crushing five straight conference opponents by an average of 38.4 points.

Baylor was favored over Oklahoma, but Mayfield ended its perfect season with one big play after another. The biggest one of all came in the fourth quarter, when he eluded several tacklers in the backfield and hit Dimitri Flowers on the run for a game-clinching touchdown.

“I’m just there playing backyard football,” Mayfield told reporters Saturday.

After reviewing the game, Stoops was asked if any of Mayfield’s theatrics surprised him anymore. His answer explained Mayfield’s recent run of success.

“Not really,” Stoops said. “You always have a chance on the play. He can create something most of the time."

Playoff projections

Big 12 fans need to root for Oklahoma and Oklahoma State this weekend. The Sooners host TCU and the Cowboys host Baylor. If both home teams win, that will setup a Bedlam game for the ages on Nov. 28. The winner will take home the conference championship and stand a great chance of making the playoff. Oklahoma has benefited from the early timing of its lone loss, and Oklahoma State is undefeated. Bob Bowlsby would love a psuedo Big 12 championship game between them.

Bowl bound?

Five Big 12 teams – Baylor, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU and Texas Tech – have clinched bowl eligibility. And three other teams – K-State, Texas and West Virginia – are still fighting to reach the postseason. West Virginia should make it. The Mountaineers are playing well and can reach six victories with a win at Kansas. Texas will likely miss out on a bowl, with Texas Tech and Baylor looming on the schedule. K-State can finish 6-6 if it wins its final three.

Power rankings

1. Oklahoma (9-1, 6-1): Yes, the Sooners lost to Texas. But they have been dominant since.

2. Oklahoma State (10-0, 7-0): Home wins over Baylor and Oklahoma will make a perfect season.

3. Baylor (8-1, 5-1): Bears can spoil Oklahoma State’s season on Saturday.

4. TCU (9-1, 6-1): Trevone Boykin and Josh Doctson are both questionable for the Oklahoma game.

5. West Virginia (5-4, 2-4): Mountaineers are clearly the league’s next-best team after the top four.

6. Texas Tech (6-5, 3-5): The Red Raiders are headed back to a bowl game.

7. Iowa State (3-7, 2-5): Paul Rhoads could have used an upset against Oklahoma State.

8. Texas (4-6, 3-4): Win over Oklahoma may go down as the season’s strangest result.

9. Kansas State (3-6, 0-6): Bill Snyder has lost six in a row for the first time since 1989.

10. Kansas (0-10, 0-7): Winless Jayhawks are improving.

Future game times (announced Monday)

Nov. 26

▪ Texas Tech at Texas, 6:30 p.m. (FS1)

Nov. 27

▪ Baylor at TCU, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Nov. 28

▪ Iowa State at West Virginia, 11 a.m. (FS1)

▪ Kansas State at Kansas, 3 p.m. (FS1)

▪ Oklahoma at Oklahoma State, 11 a.m., 2:30 or 7 p.m. (ABC, ESPN or ESPN2)

This story was originally published November 16, 2015 at 2:08 PM with the headline "Kellis Robinett’s Weekly Big 12 Report: Baker Mayfield puts Oklahoma, himself in national spotlight."