Heisman Power Rankings: Henry strengthens lead, Elliott back in top 5

Former USC All-America and No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Keyshawn Johnson once wrote a book titled: "Just Give Me the Damn Ball." It might be time for an updated version from Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott.

Apparently, Urban Meyer got the message from Elliott, because a week removed from ripping the play-calling after only receiving 12 touches in Ohio State's 17-14 loss to Michigan State, the junior running back ran the ball 30 times for 214 yards and two touchdowns as the Buckeyes hammered Michigan.

Elliott then took the postgame podium to apologize for his comments, and all was fine - for roughly three hours.

After witnessing Derrick Henry run the ball a school-record 46 times for 271 yards and a touchdown in Alabama's win over Auburn, Elliott let it be known he was ready for an even larger workload.

After a week away, Elliot is back in our Heisman top five, and that's the most important thing.

Here's how the list stacks up:

1. Derrick Henry, RB - Alabama

Last week against Charleston Southern, Alabama coach Nick Saban limited the powerful Henry to just nine carries, yet the junior running back still managed to score two touchdowns.

There was no pitch count this week, as Saban gave the ball to the Heisman Trophy favorite a whopping 46 times. Henry somehow managed to average 5.9 yards a carry, and 271 total. It was the fourth time in six games he's gone over the 200-yard mark, and he now ranks first in the nation with 1,797 on the season.

Henry also ranks first in the nation with 22 rushing touchdowns, and can likely clinch the Heisman with a strong performance against a stout Florida defense next weekend in the SEC championship game.

2. Deshaun Watson, QB - Clemson

The top player on the nation's top-ranked team was at his best in Clemson's 37-32 rivalry win over South Carolina.

Deshaun Watson showed once again he's arguably the best dual-threat quarterback in college football, rushing for a career-high 114 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding 279 yards and a score through the air.

The sophomore has now tallied a rushing score in six of the last seven contests, and has combined for 36 touchdowns through the air and on the ground this season.

Likely the only threat to Henry for the Heisman, Watson needs another massive game against North Carolina in the ACC title game.

3. Christian McCaffrey, RB/KR - Stanford

Despite being held by Notre Dame to just 94 yards on the ground, his lowest total since Week 2, Christian McCaffrey still made some history Saturday.

The sophomore running back broke the Pac-12's single-season record for all-purpose yards, eclipsing former USC star Reggie Bush's record of 2,890 posted during his Heisman-winning season of 2005.

McCaffrey now has a whopping 3,035 total yards on the season, just 215 behind Barry Sanders for the FBS record. To break that mark, the 19-year-old simply has to get close to the incredible 255 yards-per-game average he has posted this season in the Pac-12 title game against the Trojans.

4. Dalvin Cook, RB - Florida State

If Dalvin Cook scores a touchdown does anyone see it?

For some reason the Florida State running back has been overlooked by just about everyone this season, this publication included, despite putting up some spectacular performances.

After being held in check for the first three quarters against Florida on Saturday, the nation's fifth-leading rusher gashed the second-best rush defense in the SEC for 150 yards in the final frame, finishing with 183 on the night and two scores.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about Cook is his performances against elite defenses. In addition to Saturday's effort, the sophomore took Clemson, and college football's seventh-best defense, to the woodshed for 194 yards and a touchdown as well.

5. Ezekiel Elliott, RB - Ohio State

Elliott spoke, the Buckeyes coaching staff listened, and Ohio State rode the veteran back to a dominant rivalry win over Michigan.

The junior showed what he could do with an increased workload, averaging 7 yards on his 30 carries, and finding the end zone twice to increase his Big 10-leading touchdown total to 19.

While that performance brings him back to the Heisman top five, he suffers from the same fate as Cook, as both the Buckeyes and Seminoles will be idle this weekend after failing to qualify for their respective conference championship games.

Elliott's season will likely get the St. Louis native to New York for the Heisman ceremony, but he will be considered a long shot at best to win the award.