Feldman's Heisman Top 5: We can pretty safely say it's Henry's trophy

By Bruce Feldman
Published

Barring a dud of a performance next week against UF in the SEC title game, another Alabama running back — Derrick Henry — is going to win the Heisman. 

1. Derrick Henry, Alabama, RB: Another Saturday and Henry went for more than 200 yards again, as he ran over archrival Auburn with 46 carries for 271 yards. This was the fourth time in the Tide's last five SEC games in which he's gone for more than 200 rushing yards. And the other game, he ran for "only" 143. More impressively, Henry has run for an average of 176 yards in 'Bama's nine games against Power 5 opponents.

2. Deshaun Watson, Clemson, QB: He's been excellent and was again Saturday. This time he threw for almost 300 yards and ran for more than 100. This was Watson's third 100-yard rushing game in the Tigers' past four. He's also completed almost 71 percent of his passes on the season and more than 74 percent on the road.

3. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma, QB: Back from injury, Mayfield triggered OU to a 58-point showing at Oklahoma State, by throwing for two TDs, running for a third and gaining 77 yards on the ground. His TD-INT ratio for the year is a robust 35-5.

4. Christian McCaffrey, Stanford, RB/KR: On Saturday night in the win over Notre Dame, it was Stanford's QB — Kevin Hogan — who was the biggest star. McCaffrey was "held" to under 100 rushing yards (94) and to 3.5 yards per carry. He still managed 228 all-purpose yards, adding to what has been an amazing sophomore season.

5. Dalvin Cook, Florida State, RB: Florida had the No. 7 run defense in the nation, and Cook gashed the Gators for 183 yards on 26 carries and two TD in a 27-2 win on the road. He averaged a gaudy seven yards per carry in the game, and his yards-per-carry total on the season will drop from 8.0. He's had a spectacular year, especially when you consider he's playing on an almost entirely rebuilt offense with very little experience around him. He should get invited to NYC as a finalist.

Bruce Feldman is a senior college football reporter and columnist for FOXSports.com and FS1. He is also a New York Times best-selling author. His new book, "The QB: The Making of Modern Quarterbacks," came out in October 2014. Follow him on Twitter @BruceFeldmanCFB and Facebook.