Heisman Watch: Barkley's breakout still not enough for Penn State star

Saquon Barkley is still the most complete running back in the nation.

Probably the best all-around star in college football.

But the Heisman Trophy is also about wins and production numbers, and that's where Penn State's star continues to fall short.

He needed an extravagant day against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, a video game kind of performance to truly challenge again for the Heisman lead.

Instead, his rebound reminded everyone of his excellence and really nothing more. It was expected against one of the worst run defenses in the nation.

The most important revelation was assuring that he will play in Penn State's bowl game — and not sit out to protect his health and NFL draft stock.

"Everybody talks about the yards and the touchdowns and the hurdles and all those type of things," said head coach James Franklin. "But for the people who have been able to get to know Saquon Barkley, he's a better person.

"He's happier when other guys score than he is for himself. He's been a model citizen off the field. He's killed it in the classroom. He's just been awesome."

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All of that does matter for this award, too.

Just not nearly enough.

Here's how I see the Heisman after Week 12 ...

1. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma, quarterback: (last  week, 1) His obscene gesture directed toward Kansas players may hurt him on some ballots. But he's still the most dominant player in the nation, a savior for the Sooners, who may have four or five losses without him. To think that his 257 passing yards and three touchdowns was his least impressive performance of the season ...

2. Bryce Love, Stanford, running back: (last week, 2) He lost some hold on the second spot but did just enough against Cal. He broke 100 yards for the ninth time this year, which included his record-setting 11th run of more than 50 yards. Will his injured ankle be healthy enough for Notre Dame?

3. Saquon Barkley, Penn State, running back: (last week, 3) He showed off rejuvenated quickness and decisiveness running. Or maybe that's just how bad Nebraska's defense is. He did score three more times, piled up 224 all-purpose yards — including 158 on the ground — and was the Lions' top receiver. Just not quite enough for this moment.

4. Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin, running back: (last week, 7) He's not fancy and he certainly isn't a complete back yet. But the freshman is a steamroller like few others in recent memory. He barreled through a good Michigan defense for 132 yards, the eighth time he's broken 100 this season. He's why the undefeated Badgers have any breathing room at all.

5. Lamar Jackson, Louisville, quarterback: (last week, 8) Last year's winner is this year's most intriguing candidate. Out of the front-running, Jackson continues to put up stunning numbers against mediocre competition. Against Syracuse he threw for 270 yards and ran for 111 more with four total touchdowns. He deserves more praise.

6. Kerryon Johnson, Auburn, running back: (last week, unranked) He made his big push the week before while upsetting Georgia (167 yards rushing, 66 receiving). He followed that up with 137 rushing yards vs. Louisiana-Monroe. But everything is really moving toward the Iron Bowl matchup with Alabama on Saturday.

7. Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State, quarterback: (last week, 4) A crushing loss to unranked Kanasas State ended his hopes of being invited to New York City. Rudolph's numbers look good at first glance (32-of-53, 425 yards, 3 TDs), but his two interceptions and four sacks helped dig an insurmountable hole.

8. Trace McSorley, Penn State, quarterback: (last week, unranked) He jumps back onto the list with another impressive all-around effort. He's becoming a more decisive runner by the week and finished with 46 yards and a TD on just nine carries. The Big Ten's leading passer also lit up Nebraska on 24-of-36 throwing for 325 yards and three more scores. 

9. Jalen Hurts, Alabama, quarterback: (last week, 7) You don't earn a lot of traction by dominating Mercer for the first half. But The Crimson Tide are undefeated and Hurts was near perfect in most limited action: 7-of-7 passing, 180 yards and three scores. He added 30 rushing yards on just two carries.  

10. J.T. Barrett, Ohio State, quarterback: (last week, 9) The winds were rough and his playing time was limited in blowing past overmatched Illinois. He did produce three touchdowns and 174 total yards in about one half of work.

Dropped out: Khalil Tate, Arizona, quarterback; Josh Adams, Notre Dame, running back