Mayfield’s lead cut after gesture; Love gains 1st-place votes

Baker Mayfield is still the front-runner in the USA TODAY Network Heisman survey. But it is his sideline antics in Oklahoma’s most recent game at Kansas and not his play on the field that has been in the news this week, prompting some voters to consider other candidates and his coach to impose further discipline on the senior quarterback.

Mayfield was named first by 17 of the 20 official Heisman electors who work for Gannett properties after being the unanimous top choice a week ago. Two voters moved him to second, while another left him off the ballot entirely. Meanwhile, Sooners coach Lincoln Riley announced that Mayfield would not be in the starting lineup or be a team captain for OU’s home finale against West Virginia this Saturday.

Stanford running back Bryce Love, the nation’s rushing leader, remains second in the survey with the other three first-place mentions. Penn State running back Saquon Barkley is third.

Six other players picked up votes this week, with reigning award winner Lamar Jackson of Louisville and Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor making inroads.