Heisman Power Rankings: Murray finally overtakes Tua

The 2018 season flew by, didn't it? With one week remaining on the regular-season slate and conference championships fast approaching, the battle for college football's most prestigious individual award appears to be a two-horse race.

Here are the top five Heisman candidates as we approach the end of the regular season:

5. Jonathan Taylor, RB - Wisconsin

How could we not include Taylor in our rankings after his incredible performance Saturday? The star sophomore rushed for a mind-boggling 321 yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries in a triple-overtime victory over Perdue. The Badgers ball-carrier leads the nation with 1,869 rushing yards, 348 more than the second-place back. Add 15 touchdowns to his resume, and it's easy to see why Taylor is one of college football's top players. The only thing holding him back from being named a Heisman finalist, despite being on the cusp of the 2,000-yard mark, is Wisconsin's 7-4 record.

4. Dwayne Haskins, QB - Ohio State

The Buckeyes quarterback re-enters the Heisman race after leading his team to a narrow victory over Maryland. Haskins was named co-Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 405 yards, rushing for 59, and scoring six total touchdowns (three through the air, three on the ground). All eyes will be on the redshirt sophomore this Saturday as Ohio State takes on rival Michigan. A win would give the Buckeyes an excellent shot at earning a berth in the College Football Playoff and give Haskins an opportunity to emerge as a Heisman finalist. No pressure.

3. Gardner Minshew, QB - Washington State

It was Arizona who felt the wrath of Minshew this past week. The Cougars quarterback demolished the Wildcats, completing 43 of 55 passes for 473 yards and a whopping seven touchdowns. The senior now leads the nation in passing yards and is tied for the lead in passing touchdowns with Haskins and Houston's D'Eriq King. Overall, it's been a campaign to remember for Minshew, as he's thrown for at least 319 yards in all 11 of his starts, tossed two or more scores in all but one, and has Washington State on the cusp of a Pac-12 championship. The mustache lives on.

2. Tua Tagovailoa, QB - Alabama

Yes, Alabama and The Citadel were tied 10-10 at halftime, but Tagovailoa was dominant in the second half. Continuing his incredible efficiency, he finished the game completing 18 of 22 attempts for 340 yards and three passing touchdowns while adding one rushing score. Playing an FCS squad hurt the lefty's ranking this time around, but he'll have every chance to earn back the top spot over the next two weeks. The Crimson Tide battle rival Auburn on Saturday before facing off with Georgia for the SEC title. We're not sure either of these two teams can stop Tagovailoa.

1. Kyler Murray, QB - Oklahoma

Murray deserves to be the Heisman favorite at this point of the season. The redshirt junior was incredible in a surprisingly tight affair with Kansas, throwing for 279 yards, rushing for 99 more, and totaling five touchdowns. For the year, Murray ranks eighth in the country in passing yards, fourth in touchdowns, second in yards per attempt, and second in completion percentage among Power Five signal-callers. The Sooners pivot is simply too dynamic to stop, or even slow down. Unless Notre Dame loses to USC, Oklahoma may end up as the first team out of the College Football Playoff; Murray has done everything he can to get his team there.