College Football Power Rankings: The Top 25 Running Backs Heading Into Week 5

As usual, we've got your power rankings for the top 25 running backs heading into next week's action.

We saw a lot of the same from the likes of Mark Ingram and John Clay last week, and unfortunately, a lot of the same from Dion Lewis as well. 

While Lewis looks like a shell of his former self from a year ago, Clay and Ingram are barreling full steam ahead in a tight race to be the nation's top back and possibly take home the Heisman. 

So how did the other star backs from around the country perform? 

Check out the power rankings for the top 25 running backs heading into Week 5. 

25. Dion Lewis, Pittsburgh

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PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 23: Dion Lewis #28 of the Pittsburgh Panthers is tackled by Olivier Vernon #35 of the Miami Hurricanes on September 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 143 / AVG: 3.0 / TD: 2 / Receiving Yards: 68 / AVG: 8.5 / TD: 0

Lewis isn't just in danger of falling out of the top 25, he's in danger of losing his job as Pitt's starting running back. 

He was completely ineffective against Miami with 12 carries for 41 yards, while Ray Graham carried the ball 14 times for 100 yards. Based on the way Lewis has played this season, expect a lot more touches for Graham until Lewis finds his way. 

24. Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech

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BLACKSBURG, VA - SEPTEMBER 18: Running back Ryan Williams #34 of the Virginia Tech Hokies is helped off the field after being injured in the first half against the East Carolina Pirates at Lane Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Pho

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 139 / AVG: 3.0 / TD: 3 / Receiving Yards: 82 / AVG: 16.4 / TD: 1

Williams missed Virginia Tech's game against Boston College after sustaining an injury against East Carolina, and to be frank, he's having one of the roughest starts of the year for any of 2009's top backs. 

Williams is being gifted a place in the top 25 based on his performance last season and if he doesn't suit up against N.C. State and play well, he'll have to earn his way back onto the list. 

23. Ronnie Hillman, San Diego State

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 532 / AVG: 6.4 / TD: 8 / Receiving Yards: 6 / AVG: 3.0 / TD: 0

After two straight monster games, Ronnie Hillman came back down to earth on Saturday with a decent but much more mundane showing in San Diego State's win over Utah State. 

Hillman had 23 carries for 83 yards, but did manage to find the endzone once to add a little flavor to his stat line. 

22. Adam Robinson, Iowa

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TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 18: Runningback Adam Robinson #32 of the Iowa Hawkeyes watches from the sidelines during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 385 / AVG: 5.5 / TD: 6 / Receiving Yards: 137 / AVG: 22.8 / TD: 0

After the way Robinson played against Arizona there were concerns about his abilities, but he rebounded with a very strong game in Iowa's blowout over Ball State. 

Robinson had 22 carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns with another 75 yards off three catches. Now if he can play like that every week, there will be no questioning him. 

21. Stevan Ridley, LSU

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OXFORD, MS - NOVEMBER 17: Stevan Ridley #34 of the LSU Tigers runs during warmups before a game against the Mississippi Rebels on November 17, 2007 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium/Hollingsworth Field in Oxford, Mississippi. LSU beat Mississippi 41-24. (Photo

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 434 / AVG: 5.8 / TD: 3 / Receiving Yards: 35 / AVG: 8.8 / TD: 0

Ridley hasn't had a bad game this season and the competition has been pretty stiff. North Carolina, Mississippi State, and West Virginia all have tough defenses and he managed to average 91.6 yards against them on 4.7 yards per carry. 

Not eye-popping numbers, but certainly worth noting. After his 116-yard performance in LSU's 20-14 victory over West Virginia, he's earned a place in the top 25. 

20. Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 25: Marcus Lattimore #21 of the South Carolina Gamecocks rushes against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 366 / AVG: 4.4 / TD: 6 / Receiving Yards: 65 / AVG: 10.8 / TD: 0

Lattimore had what many experts believed was a breakout game in South Carolina's victory over Georgia a couple of weeks back. 

But he's regressed some since then and didn't have much of a showing against Auburn, with only 33 yards and a touchdown off 14 carries. He did add three catches for 28 yards though. 

19. Le'Veon Bell, Michigan State

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 396 / AVG: 8.3 / TD: 7 / Receiving Yards: 63 / AVG: 15.8 / TD: 0

It was tough to leave his teammate Edwin Baker off the list, but it's become clear over the last couple of weeks that Le'Veon Bell is the favored back at Michigan State and the one with the most promise. 

His yards per carry is ridiculously high right now at 8.3, and while he and Baker split the carries evenly against Norther Colorado, Bell took his 12 touches for 127 total yards and three touchdowns. Expect the Spartans to feed him the the rock going forward.

18. Chris Polk, Washington

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 18: Running back Chris Polk #1 of the Washington Huskies rushes against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on September 18, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 264 / AVG: 5.0 / TD: 2 / Receiving Yards: 9 / AVG: 4.5 / TD: 0

Polk didn't have a very good outing against Nebraska in week three, but no one on the Huskies' roster walked away from that one smiling; they were off this past weekend. 

Polk rushed 17 times for 55 yards and a touchdown but was never really able to get in sync because the Cornhuskers' defense constantly harassed him throughout the game. 

17. Montel Harris, Boston College

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 25: Montel Harris #2 of the Boston College Eagles is taken down by Davon Morgan #2 of the Virginia Tech Hokies on September 25, 2010 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 306 / AVG: 4.6 / TD: 1 / Receiving Yards: 52 / AVG: 6.5 / TD: 0

After finishing the 2009 season as a top-10 rusher, things aren't looking quite as bright for Harris in 2010. But he's still doing well and had a solid game against Virginia Tech. 

In a contest in which the Hokies really put the defensive clamps down, Harris managed to rush for 111 yards on 19 carries, adding 21 yards on five catches.

16. Bobby Rainey, Western Kentucky

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 508 / AVG: 5.4 / TD: 5 / Receiving Yards: 61 / AVG: 6.8 / TD: 0

Rainey's hot streak came to an end in week four, as he was held under 100 yards rushing for the first time this season. 

In a disappointing performance against South Florida, Rainey rushed for 64 yards, averaging just three yards per carry and failing to find the end-zone. Maybe the stress of carrying Western Kentucky's offense is starting to catch up. 

15. Vai Taua, Nevada

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COLUMBIA, MO - SEPTEMBER 13: Vai Taua #34 the Nevada Wolf Pack carries the ball during the first half of the game against the Missouri Tigers on September 13, 2008 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 453 / AVG: 5.6 / TD: 5 / Receiving Yards: 37 / AVG: 9.3 / TD: 0

Taua had yet another stellar game this past weekend, rushing for over 115 yards for the third straight game to make him the 12th-leading rusher in the nation. 

In Nevada's dominant win over BYU, Taua took the rock 29 times for 133 yards and a touchdown, helping the Wolf Pack maintain their undefeated record through four weeks. 

14. Derrick Locke, Kentucky

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GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 25: Running back Derrick Locke #20 of the Kentucky Wildcats is brought down by safety Ahmad Black #35 of the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 475 / AVG: 5.7 / TD: 5 / Receiving Yards: 70 / AVG: 6.4 / TD: 0

Locke continued his streak of 100-yard rushing games in week four, passing the century mark in every game this year. 

Kentucky might have gotten tossed around by Florida, but Locke was one of the lone bright spots with 23 carries for 103 yards and three catches for 10 yards. 

13. Ed Wesley, TCU

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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 04: Tailback Ed Wesley #34 of the TCU Horned Frogs runs the ball against the Oregon State Beavers at Cowboys Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 419 / AVG: 7.6 / TD: 4 / Receiving Yards: 1 / AVG: 1.0 / TD: 0

After a monster game against Baylor you would have expected Wesley to do the same in TCU's match-up with SMU, but that just wasn't the case.

Wesley carried the ball only eight times for 35 yards, failing to break off a run of more than nine yards in the contest. That's not like him though. Expect more against Colorado State. 

12. Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State

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BOISE, ID - SEPTEMBER 25: Running back Jacquizz Rodgers #1 of the Oregon State Beavers runs the ball against the Boise State Broncos at Bronco Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 253 / AVG: 4.2 / TD: 4 / Receiving Yards: 27 / AVG: 3.9 / TD: 1

Rodgers had his worst game of the year against Boise State last weekend, raising questions about his ability to show up for big games. 

He's only played well once this year and that was against Louisville. Against Boise State and TCU Rodgers has averaged 60.5 yards per game and 3.3 yards per carry. 

11. Shane Vereen, Cal

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TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 25: Runningback Shane Vereen #34 of the California Golden Bears rushes the football against the Arizona Wildcats during the college football game at Arizona Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated th

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 426 / AVG: 5.6 / TD: 6 / Receiving Yards: 68 / AVG: 8.5 / TD: 2

After a career-high performance in Cal's loss to Nevada a couple of weeks ago, in which Vereen rushed for nearly 200 yards, he was much more pedestrian in Cal's loss to Arizona. 

He cracked the century mark, but barely did so. It took him 27 carries to achieve the feat. Vereen also failed to find the end zone for the first time this season.

10. DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma

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CINCINNATI - SEPTEMBER 25: DeMarco Murray #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs with the ball during the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Paul Brown Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 436 / AVG: 4.2 / TD: 7 / Receiving Yards: 111 / AVG: 6.9 / TD: 1

Murray started the year with a bang, rushing for over 200 yards on opening weekend. But he's basically matched that total in the three games since. 

He was very sluggish against Cincinnati, with 28 carries for just 67 yards and a touchdown. Murray added another 21 yards off seven catches, but he's struggling to break off any big plays right now. 

9. Mikel LeShoure, Illinois

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 398 / AVG: 6.9 / TD: 3 / Receiving Yards: 9 / AVG: 4.5 / TD: 0

LeShoure continues to prove he can be one of the most productive backs in the country, though neither of his last two opponents featured the type of run defense that you would like to measure a back's success by. 

Against Southern Illinois in week two and Northern Illinois in Week 3, LeShoure rushed for 106 yards and 180 yards, respectively. He was off this weekend. 

8. Andre Ellington, Clemson

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Andre Ellington #23 of the Clemson Tigers against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 273 / AVG: 7.4 / TD: 4 / Receiving Yards: 51 / AVG: 10.2 / TD: 0

Ellington looked sharp in Clemson's tough loss to Auburn in Week 3. After a real quiet game against Presbyterian in which he only took three carries, Ellington was needed for a lot more this time around. 

He had 22 carries for 140 yards and a touchdown with another 48 yards receiving against Auburn and Clemson was off in week four.

7. Noel Devine, West Virginia

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BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 25: Noel Devine #7 of the West Virginia Mountaineers avoids a tackle by Brandon Taylor #15 of the Louisiana State Univeristy Tigers at Tiger Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers defeated the Mou

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 391 / AVG: 4.5 / TD: 2 / Receiving Yards: 105 / AVG: 7.1 / TD: 0

The top of the power rankings are especially tight so an off week can see you bumped down quite a few spots from the week before. 

That's the case with Devine, who got completely shut down by LSU's defense. Devine had just 54 total yards off 14 carries and two catches and failed to find the end-zone.

6. Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State

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STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 5: Running back Kendall Hunter #24 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys rushes for a nine yards during the third quarter of the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Boone Pickens Stadium on September 5, 2009 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 473 / AVG: 7.9 / TD: 6 / Receiving Yards: 40 / AVG: 3.6 / TD: 0

After a couple of monster performances to open the season, Hunter looked more mundane in week three, failing to find the end zone after scoring six total touchdowns in his first two games.

Granted, he only carried the ball 11 times in Oklahoma State's blowout victory over Tulsa, so you can't fault Hunter much for his lacking on the stat sheet; he was off in Week 4. 

5. Daniel Thomas, Kansas State

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PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: Runningback Daniel Thomas #8 of the Kansas State Wildcats carries the ball against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl on September 19, 2009 in Pasadena, California. UCLA defeated Kansas State 23-9. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty I

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 628 / AVG: 6.0 / TD: 6 / Receiving Yards: 16 / AVG: 4.0 / TD: 0 

Thomas was really on an unstoppable roll the first three weeks of the season, but he hit a wall in Kansas State's 17-13 win over UCF on Saturday. 

Thomas was held to 76 yards rushing on 22 carries after averaging 184 yards a game through three contests.

4. LaMichael James, Oregon

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EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 18: Running back LaMichael James #21of the Oregon Ducks heads to the end zone for a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the Portland State Vikings at Autzen Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 455 / AVG: 7.8 / TD: 4 / Receiving Yards: 9 / AVG: 9.0 / TD: 0

James has been hot for three weeks in a row now since missing opening weekend with a suspension. He didn't crack 200 yards the way he did in Week 3, but his performance against Arizona State last weekend was still a good one. 

James rushed 28 times for 114 yards and a touchdown in Oregon's 42-31 victory over the Sun Devils. 

3. Trent Richardson, Alabama

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FAYETTEVILLE - SEPTEMBER 25: Trent Richardson #3 of the Alabama Crimson Tide gets tackled by a group of Arkansas Razorbacks defenders during the first half at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 356 / AVG: 7.6 / TD: 4 / Receiving Yards: 126 / AVG: 12.6 / TD: 1

Now that Mark Ingram is back, Richardson isn't getting nearly the number of touches he was the first couple weeks of the season, but can bet he's making use with what he gets. 

Richardson had just eight carries against Arkansas, but took them for 85 yards. Add that to his two catches for 25 yards and a touchdown and you have one of the most efficient rushers in the nation. 

2. John Clay, Wisconsin

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MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 18: John Clay #32 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Camp Randall Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated Arizona State 20-19. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Image

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 501 / AVG: 6.5 / TD: 6 / Receiving Yards: 0 / AVG: 0.0 / TD: 0

Make it 10 games in a row with at least 100 yards rushing for Wisconsin's John Clay. Against Austin Peay, Clay needed just 15 carries to rack in 118 yards and a touchdown in Nebraska's 70-3 win. 

Clay is rushing his way straight to Heisman contention and might be the most consistent offensive player in the country at this point in the season. 

1. Mark Ingram, Alabama

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FAYETTEVILLE - SEPTEMBER 25: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide pushes away a tackle attempt by Tramain Thomas #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks during a first half touchdown run at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Fayett

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 308 / AVG: 9.3 / TD: 4 / Receiving Yards: 27 / AVG: 13.5 / TD: 0

Ingram continued to play strong in his second week back from a knee injury that had kept him on the sideline. 

Against Arkansas, he rushed the ball 24 times for 157 yards and two touchdowns, adding two catches for 27 yards in Alabama's clutch win.