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Heisman Power Rankings: Jackson still unstoppable, Browning making case

Andy Lyons / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Another week has passed in the college football season, and another Saturday has left us wondering if it's possible for Lamar Jackson to slow down.

For those waiting for him to slip up and relinquish his top spot in the weekly Heisman Power Rankings, you'll have to sit tight. The movement below Jackson is a different story, however, as two notable pivots forced their way into this week's rankings.

5. Jalen Hurts, QB - Alabama

In taking a look at raw numbers and popular totals, one may miss the more notable things Alabama's Jalen Hurts has accomplished this season. Hurts has led the Crimson Tide to eight consecutive wins as a true freshman while accounting for 20 total touchdowns. His rushing touchdown against Texas A&M on Saturday was the dagger in a victory over arguably the most likely candidate to hand Alabama a loss in 2016. His two games of more than 100 yards rushing didn't come against weak programs, either, with Hurts scampering for 146 yards against Ole Miss and 132 yards with three touchdowns against Tennessee. While Hurts may not come close to the most widely considered names for the Heisman, his impact on the No. 1 team in the nation is deserving of recognition.

4. Baker Mayfield, QB - Oklahoma

Oklahoma got off to a very slow start, with two early losses against tough opponents in Houston and Ohio State. Since the loss to the Buckeyes on Sept. 17, however, Baker Mayfield has turned the Sooners around with a number of notable performances. His 545-yard day against Texas Tech on Saturday may have been a game in which neither team's defense decided to show up, but his resurgence in recent weeks has put him on track to finish with some very respectable numbers, and brought his name back into the realm of discussion as a top-level FBS player this season.

3. Donnel Pumphrey, RB - San Diego State

Team status and strength of schedule undoubtedly go into judging individual award candidates, but despite not being on a Power 5 team, San Diego State running back Donnel Pumphrey simply cannot be ignored. Pumphrey leads all FBS running backs in rushing yards (1,246) and touchdowns (13), and has registered three games of more than 200 yards on the ground. The fact that he only stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 180 pounds further emphasizes his ability to raise his performance above that of more physically dominant backs.

2. Jake Browning, QB - Washington

Following another consistent performance against Oregon State on Saturday in which he yet again didn't cough up an interception, Washington gunslinger Jake Browning rises to the second spot on the Heisman Power Rankings. The Huskies remained perfect on the season, and Browning is at the heart of their run thus far. With only two interceptions thrown, the sophomore has arguably been the most dependable quarterback so far, boasting the second-highest QB rating in the FBS at 199.6. He'll need to keep this pace up for the rest of the season if he hopes to take home college football's most prized individual honor, but, given the way he and the Huskies have been conducting themselves on the gridiron, it wouldn't be the craziest thing to happen.

1. Lamar Jackson, QB - Louisville

Week 8 was no different in what's undoubtedly Lamar Jackson's year. The sophomore asserted his authority over NC State early in Saturday's contest and never looked back, going 20-of-34 passing for 355 yards and three touchdowns, to go along with 76 rushing yards on 17 carries with one touchdown. Jackson has passed for 2,161 yards and rushed for 908 yards on the season - with only seven running backs ahead of him - and accounted for 34 touchdowns. The Heisman is his to lose, unless someone else sets the second half of the season ablaze.

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