Heisman finalists: Jackson, Watson, Peppers, 2 Sooners

The other finalists for the 2016 Heisman Trophy are: Lamar Jackson (Louisville), Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma), Deshaun Watson (Clemson) and Dede Westbrook (Oklahoma).

The ceremony is Saturday night, with the victor being announced at approximately 8:45 p.m. ET.

Jackson has been the front-runner most of the season, but he and the Cardinals stumbled down the stretch, losing their last two games.

Mayfield, a quarterback, and his receiver Westbrook have been a dynamic combination, and late in the season No. 7 Oklahoma started a dual campaign to promote both. It’s odd that a 31-point Pac-12 championship game win over Colorado hurt Browning’s candidacy, but it undoubtedly did. Jackson had 295 yards passing, 162 rushing and accounted for three touchdowns with one interception. Earlier this season, Louisville reached No. 3 spot in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, equaling the program’s highest mark set back in 2006, according to Sports-Reference.com. Watson is the first Clemson quarterback to lead the Tigers to back-to-back conference crowns since Rodney Williams led Clemson to three straight from 1986-88. In two of those cases has one of the teammates won: Matt Leinart in 2004 and Reggie Bush in 2005 (since vacated). Westbrook has caught 74 passes for 1,465 yards (19.8 ypr) and 16 touchdowns.

Jackson is the first Heisman finalist in Louisville history.

This is the week that every Louisville football fan has been waiting for since Lamar Jackson hurdled that Syracuse defender in September.

For the season, Watson has completed 329 of 487 passes for 3914 yards and 37 touchdowns.

Statistically, Mayfield also has positioned himself well to become the sixth Oklahoma player to capture the Heisman. He ranked fifth nationally in yards per punt return, and was part of a great defence that led the Wolverines back to the college play-offs. The last three winners – Derrick Henry, Marcus Mariota, and Jameis Winston – either each got to participate in the College Football Playoff or competed for a national title after claiming their Heismans.

There doesn’t appear to be much drama surrounding who will win the award, but there is some intrigue in Jackson’s margin of victory.

Westbrook is the only hope to break this streak of non-seniors to win the award.

Only once before has the ACC had two finalists in NY in the same year: In 2013, Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston won, while Boston College running back Andre Williams finished fourth.