HEISMAN SURVEY: BARKLEY EXTENDS LEAD

If the college football season ended today, the Heisman Trophy vote would be a two-horse race.

It doesn’t, of course, and a lot can happen in the last two full months of the season. But as of now, Penn State running back Saquon Barkley and Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield have separated themselves from the field in the weekly USA TODAY Network Heisman survey.

One of those two was listed in first place by all 19 reporters and editors with official Heisman votes who work for Gannett properties. Barkley was named first by 14, extending his lead over Mayfield, whose Sooners had the week off.

In an easy win against Indiana, Barkley had only 56 rushing yards. But he returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown and finished his day by throwing a TD pass.

Stanford running back Bryce Love finished third in the survey and could be emerging as a challenger. He gained a school-record 301 yards Saturday in the Cardinal’s win against Arizona State. He has already accumulated 1,088 rushing yards through five games and is averaging 11 yards per carry.

Also receiving votes were last year’s winner Lamar Jackson of Louisville, Washington State’s Luke Falk, Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph and San Diego State’s Rashaad Penny.