Heisman Power Rankings: Jackson holds lead as Cook, Kelly make strides

Week 4 in the FBS schedule did not present the amount of high-value performances as seen in previous weeks, but it did provide fans with added perspective on several Heisman Trophy candidates.

With programs such as Ohio State, San Diego State, Miami, Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas Tech off this week, two key players from Ole Miss and Florida State were able to earn spots on this week's Heisman Power Rankings by way of monster performances and convincing wins against ranked opponents.

While San Diego State running back Donnel Pumphrey and LSU running back Leonard Fournette fell from the list, this has less to do with their lackluster performances than it does our two recent additions forcing their way on with impressive efforts.

5. Chad Kelly, QB - Ole Miss

Despite Ole Miss currently being 2-2, Chad Kelly's leadership over No. 12 Georgia on Saturday in a convincing 45-14 victory cannot be overlooked. While his stats (18-of-24 for 282 yards) do not match up to his performance against Alabama in Week 3 (26-of-40 for 421 yards), Kelly still sits among the league's leading passers through four weeks. The Ole Miss pivot is 13th in passing yards in the FBS, while connecting for 12 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Considering Kelly has posted most of these numbers against stingy competition in Florida State, Alabama, and Georgia, as well as the drama of an NCAA investigation hanging over the program, Kelly has earned his keep at the fifth spot on the Week 4 rankings.

4. Christian McCaffrey, RB - Stanford

Week in and week out, Christian McCaffrey has proven that even if his numbers are not astronomical, he is consistently an X-factor. The Stanford running back did not have his strongest performance of the season in the Cardinal's 22-13 victory over UCLA, but still managed to register 138 yards on 26 carries. A step back in comparison with his two prior games this season is not enough to knock the versatile McCaffrey off the list, but does leave the door open for a strong rebound performance against a big opponent in No. 10 Washington this coming week. If McCaffrey can make his mark on the Huskies in the dominant fashion fans have seen in the past, don't be surprised to see his name climb in future Heisman power rankings.

3. Dalvin Cook, RB - Florida State

Dalvin Cook needed a big performance to even keep himself in the conversation of Heisman candidates, and he delivered just that this past week against South Florida. Having not yet rushed for 100 yards this season, Cook steamrolled the Bulls for 267 yards on 28 carries, resulting in two touchdowns. The junior also showed his versatility yet again by recording 62 receiving yards on four receptions. Cook surpassed fellow Heisman candidate McCaffrey in rushing yards and touchdowns on the season, but a strong follow-up performance against North Carolina in Week 5 will be needed to maintain his case for the Heisman. If last week's performance was any indication of things to come, Cook may have indeed flipped the switch on his season and Seminoles fans could be in for some more electricity from the star running back.

2. J.T. Barrett, QB - Ohio State

Ohio State experienced the luxury of a bye in Week 4, but will be back at it again this coming week when Rutgers travels to Ohio. J.T. Barrett remains one of the most dominant and consistent quarterbacks in the FBS as the leader of the No. 2 team in the nation. Barrett's first two performances, against Bowling Green and Tulsa, while convincing, were not against top defensive competition. His Week 3 performance against Oklahoma, that all but erased the Sooners' playoff hopes, proved, without a doubt, that Barrett is the real deal in 2016. Barrett holds the fifth-highest quarterback rating in the FBS (184.4) and has only surrendered one interception compared to 10 touchdowns on 49-of-73 passing for 650 yards. With another consistent performance against the Scarlet Knights, Barrett could see his stock rise even higher from his current resting place of third on the list of Heisman candidates.

1. Lamar Jackson, QB - Louisville

It should come as no surprise that a powerful performance against Marshall was more than enough for Lamar Jackson to maintain the top spot in the Heisman rankings. Jackson has, simply put, been an unstoppable force for all who oppose him. Jackson on Saturday aired the ball out more times than in any other game this season and registered a season-high 417 yards passing after going 24-of-44 with five touchdowns. The matchup with the Thundering Herd was the first time Jackson failed to run for 100 yards this season, but he still found the end zone twice on 12 carries for 62 yards. While the season is only four weeks old, and a lot can still happen, the Heisman is likely Jackson's to lose, as he's set himself apart from the pack in Louisville's quest for a playoff berth.