Mandel's Heisman Top 5: Why McCaffrey has great chance to finish No. 1

Stanford star Christian McCaffrey is churning out highlights and shattering records on a weekly basis, but not many east of the Rockies are seeing it what with all those 10:30 p.m. ET kickoffs. That changes the next two weeks, when Stanford plays back-to-back huge primetime games, first against 10-1 Notre Dame, then in the Pac-12 title game.

Derrick Henry remains the front-runner, but McCaffrey has a golden opportunity to ascend to the top if he keeps busting 49-yard touchdown runs and 98-yard kick returns.

1. Alabama RB Derrick Henry: Henry saw limited action against FCS foe Charleston Southern, carrying nine times for 68 yards and two TDs. Voters should not hold it against him if he has big games from here.

2. Florida State RB Dalvin Cook: The sophomore averaged 7.1 yards per carry against Chattanooga – and that will actually lower his season average of 8.1 coming into the game.

3. Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey: The Cardinal standout racked up a school-record 389 all-purpose yards against Cal to raise his season total to 2,807 yards -- on pace to eclipse Barry Sanders’ FBS record (3,250).

4. Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield: The Sooners star was 9 of 20 for 127 yards and two TDs before leaving the TCU game at halftime with a head injury. He should remain the nation’s No. 2-rated passer.

5. Clemson QB Deshaun Watson: While not near the top of any national charts, the Tigers star has eclipsed 350 total yards in five of his last six games. He’s one of a small handful of players that could still win the trophy.

Stewart Mandel is a senior college sports columnist for FOXSports.com. He covered college football and basketball for 15 years at Sports Illustrated. You can follow him on Twitter @slmandel and Facebook. Send emails and Mailbag questions to Stewart.Mandel@fox.com.