Heisman Power Rankings: Barkley stays on top, Love looks unstoppable

Several of the nation's top Heisman Trophy candidates managed productive performances in Week 5, but one player powered his way up two spots thanks to his latest and greatest outing thus far.

Here's how the best in the nation stack up after five weeks of play.

5. Mason Rudolph, QB - Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State needed a quality rebound after its lapse the previous week against TCU, and Rudolph gave Cowboys exactly that Saturday against the offensively strong Texas Tech. Rudolph's team required every bit of his prowess to overcome the Red Raiders, and he completed 71.1 percent of his passes for 376 yards and three touchdowns.

His numbers have remained consistently high this season, with the senior currently second in the nation in passing yards and tied for second in touchdown passes. That secures his appearance in the Heisman rankings for yet another week.

4. Josh Rosen, QB - UCLA

UCLA needed to right the ship following consecutive losses to Memphis and Stanford, and the nation's leading passer was able to answer the call against Colorado.

Rosen just barely failed to reach the 400-yard mark in passing yards for the third consecutive game, but his 28-of-45 clip for 372 yards and a touchdown was enough to help earn a close victory for the Bruins. Rosen continues to force himself into the Heisman conversation, and a few more elite performances will make his case for attendance at the trophy ceremony in December.

3. Bryce Love, RB - Stanford

Love had one of the hottest starts in college football through the first few weeks, and his efforts have earned the formerly under-the-radar talent increasing recognition as one of the most dangerous players in the nation. The heir to Christian McCaffrey at Stanford is on an apparently unstoppable tear, and exceeded 300 yards against Arizona State on Saturday.

The junior is averaging a mind-boggling 11.1 yards per carry on 98 touches, a mark that's impossible to ignore and irresponsible not to consider as evidence he could be the best individual contributor in college football.

2. Baker Mayfield, QB - Oklahoma

Oklahoma is coming off a bye after opening the season on a four-game winning streak, and the catalyst for that run has been none other than Mayfield.

The senior quarterback entered the 2017 season as a favorite to take home the Heisman, and his win against Ohio State should have convinced many that he's as deserving as anyone. If he can keep up his impressive numbers throughout conference play, such as his perfect touchdown-to-interception ratio, it will be difficult to suggest a more worthy candidate.

1. Saquon Barkley, RB - Penn State

But if anyone can supplant Mayfield as the best college football player in the nation, it's the beast who calls Penn State's backfield home.

Barkley has arguably been the most impressive player in the country all season. His impact on the game shines through as not only the Nittany Lions' leading rusher, but their leading receiver as well. It will take an extraordinary effort to overthrow the junior, because there's no sign he plans to slow down.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)