Heisman Power Rankings: Peppers, Cook making a charge

One month remains in the 2016 regular season, which means it's time for this year's Heisman Trophy contenders to begin constructing their closing statements for the jury.

Here's how the Heisman race stacks up as the calendar turns to November:

5. Jabrill Peppers, LB - Michigan

How versatile is linebacker Jabrill Peppers? The Michigan star played nine different positions in Saturday's win over Michigan State, and became the first player in 10 years to record a rush attempt, reception, sack, kick return, and punt return in the same game. Peppers does it all for the Wolverines, and he scored a rushing touchdown against the Spartans to further strengthen his Heisman case. He might be the most valuable defensive player in the country.

4. Dalvin Cook, RB - Florida State

By now, Dalvin Cook has more than made up for his slow start. The Florida State tailback has rushed for 841 yards and nine touchdowns over his last five games, and now sits fifth in the FBS in rushing, second among Power 5 conference runners. However, three Seminoles losses take some of the wind out of Cook's Heisman sails, so he'll need to be head and shoulders above the pack to leapfrog them in the rankings.

3. Donnel Pumphrey, RB - San Diego State

He still doesn't get oodles of notoriety, but Donnel Pumphrey continues to shred the NCAA history books. The San Diego State senior leads the FBS in rushing by more than 300 yards, is fifth all-time in NCAA rushing yardage, and could break Ron Dayne's career rushing record by the end of the campaign. Pumphrey has racked up 100-plus rushing yards in every game this year, except the season opener when he had 98, and has gone over the 200-yard mark four times. He's hurt by the Group of 5 conference in which he plays.

2. Jake Browning, QB - Washington

Jake Browning didn't have his biggest statistical performance of the season against Utah, but he did enough to keep Washington undefeated. The sophomore pivot has taken the Pac-12 by storm this season, throwing a whopping 28 touchdowns and a mere three interceptions. If he can lead the Huskies to a perfect season, he'll have as good a chance as anyone to win the Heisman.

1. Lamar Jackson, QB - Louisville

Lamar Jackson wasn't at his best in the first half of Saturday's game against Virginia, but the halftime deficit only set the stage for his second half performance to look even more brilliant than it otherwise would have. Jackson led Louisville to a season-saving fourth-quarter comeback over the Cavs, and has now accounted for four or more touchdowns in six of his eight games this year. The dual-threat signal-caller remains the clear front-runner to capture the award.