Two players haven't finished among the top-three Heisman Trophy vote-getters in consecutive years since 1967-68, when O.J. Simpson and Leroy Keyes accomplished the feat. They were second and third, respectively, in 1967 and first and second, respectively, in 1968.
Can Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield end the streak?
Last December, Mayfield stood from his finalist seat, clapped and smiled as Jackson was announced as the 2016 Heisman winner. The Oklahoma quarterback finished third in voting, earning just 361 votes to Jackson's 2,144, making him the most distant third-place finisher since Charlie Ward's 2,018-vote margin over David Palmer in 1993.
With both players returning for another season, Mayfield had a chance to not only get closer to the most prestigious award in college football, but also top Jackson.
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Compare Stats: Lamar Jackson vs. Baker Mayfield
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Through eight games, Jackson is on a similar pace as 2016. He's completing 60 percent of his passes for 2,478 yards, 17 touchdowns and five interceptions, and has 868 rushing yards (11 touchdowns) thanks to a 6.4 yards-per-carry average. The Cardinals' junior has five games with at least 300 yards passing (plus another with 299), five with 100 or more rushing yards and two with at least five total touchdowns.
Jackson's biggest issue is arguably his supporting cast, which has led to a 5-3 record and early elimination from a playoff race that routinely props up Heisman candidates
Mayfield, meanwhile, is 6-1 and averaging more yards (335 to 310) and touchdowns (2.7 to 2.1) per game while completing nearly 74 percent of his attempts. He has also thrown just two interceptions to Jackson's five. Where Mayfield's rushing numbers lag behind (170 yards, 3.5 yards per carry and three touchdowns), his passing and efficiency numbers sit far ahead.
As both quarterbacks continue to put up video-game-like numbers, can they end a five-decade-long streak by both finishing in the top three of Heisman voting again?
