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Heisman Power Rankings: Henry remains top, McCaffrey jumps into fray

Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

It was a tough weekend for Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott.

The third-ranked Buckeyes fell 17-14 at home to Michigan State, ending their winning streak at 23 games. Elliott also saw his streak of consecutive 100-yard rushing games end at 15 as he was stuffed for just 33 yards on 12 carries.

He responded by ripping the play-calling of the coaching staff and said it would be his last home game as a Buckeye. To add insult to injury, the St. Louis native is no longer in our Heisman Power Rankings top 5.

At least misery loves company, and in a move that would've seemed ridiculous two weeks ago, LSU's Leonard Fournette joins Elliott on the outside looking in as the Tigers' free fall continued with their third straight loss.

Here are the five players who top our list this week:

1. Derrick Henry, RB - Alabama

This man is a touchdown machine. He added two more rushing scores Saturday to bring his season total to 21.

Alabama coach Nick Saban kept his most powerful weapon harnessed for most of the 56-6 smackdown of Charleston Southern, as Henry only carried the ball nine times but finished with 68 yards and two scores. The Heisman is his to lose as the Tide close out the regular season against Auburn.

Things could get ugly as the Tigers' defense ranks 82nd in the nation allowing 180 yards a game and, with the bitter history between the schools, don't expect Saban to hold Henry back in this one.

2. Christian McCaffrey, RB/KR - Stanford

After he didn't appear on last week's Heisman rankings, McCaffrey responded with a Stanford-record 389 all-purpose yards against California.

To put that number in perspective, it matches or exceeds the yards 56 entire schools average on offense in the FBS.

The sophomore isn't a one-game wonder either, rushing for over 100 yards in nine straight games, and ranking third in the nation with 31 yards per kickoff return. Opposing defenses have no answer for him, and the only thing keeping him from winning the Heisman may be the Pacific time zone.

The Cardinal have played seven of their 11 games after 10 p.m. EST, when the majority of the country - and voters - are fast asleep. Put on another pot of coffee and get comfortable, America. This guy's good.

3. Deshaun Watson, QB - Clemson

The best player on the No. 1 team usually gets a long look for the Heisman, but Watson is proving to be as worthy as anyone on the list with his recent play.

Clemson's sophomore pivot is throwing up some video game numbers in his last six contests, averaging 325 yards passing per game with 15 touchdowns. Watson's also a threat to run, with a rushing touchdown in five of his last six games.

With a road game looming against South Carolina and the 89th-ranked defense in the country, Watson seems likely to keep rolling next week.

4. Keenan Reynolds, QB - Navy

There hasn't been a Heisman trophy winner from a service academy since Roger Staubach won in 1963, making Reynolds the best candidate in over 50 years.

The NCAA's all-time leader in career rushing touchdowns added another one to his total in Navy's 44-21 thrashing of Tulsa last weekend, and the senior pivot has the Midshipmen rolling to a 9-1 record this season. Despite playing in only 10 games, he remains second in the nation with 18 rushing touchdowns, second only to the man leading this list.

The Heisman Trophy recognizes "the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity." Tough to imagine someone more deserving in that aspect.

5. Corey Coleman, WR - Baylor

Corey Coleman doesn't stand much of a chance in the Heisman Trophy race.

A receiver hasn't won the award since Michigan's Desmond Howard in 1991, and his signature Heisman moment was on a punt return, but the Baylor stud deserves a spot in New York and on this list.

Despite not scoring a receiving touchdown in the past two games, he still leads the nation with 20, putting him seven away from tying the FBS record with two games to play. To put the number in perspective, Notre Dame's Tim Brown won the Heisman in 1987 and was the only wideout other than Howard to win, and he caught three touchdown passes the entire year.

Get this man to New York.

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