College Football Power Rankings: The Top 25 Running Backs Heading Into Week 6

As we head into the sixth week of the college football season the Heisman race is slowly turning into a two-horse sprint. 

There's Denard Robinson at Michigan putting up stats like he's playing against high school kids and LeMichael James at Oregon averaging 178 yards and eight yards a carry through four games. 

After the way he played against Stanford on Saturday, James has jumped the forefront of the discussion for the Heisman and is playing as well as any running back in the country. 

Of course Robinson and James have some competition for the Heisman, but at this stage in the season, they're the talk of the nation. 

You have your usual suspects at running back, Mark Ingram and John Clay, but the rankings are shifting rapidly. 

25. Montel Harris, Boston College

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 04: Montel Harris #2 of the Boston College Eagles carries the ball in the first quarter against the Weber State Wildcats on September 4, 2010 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 334 / AVG: 4.1 / TD: 1 / Receiving Yards: 55 / AVG: 4.6 / TD: 0

Harris has been really up and down this year, with over 100 yards and five yards a carry in two games and then following up those performances with really forgettable ones. 

The last two weeks are the perfect example. Against Virginia Tech, Harris had 19 carries for 111 yards then had 15 carries for 28 yards against Notre Dame; he hasn't scored in four weeks. 

24. Brandon Bolden, Mississippi

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NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 11: Brandon Bolden #34 of the Ole Miss Rebels is chased by Dominique Robertson #36 of the Tulane Green Wave at the Louisiana Superdome on September 11, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 518 / AVG: 6.8 / TD: 5 / Receiving Yards: 124 / AVG: 11.3 / TD: 2

Bolden makes his first appearance on the list and as some Ole Miss fans will tell you, we're a little late to the show on this one.

Bolden proved in Week 5 that his explosion against Fresno State the week before was no fluke. After rushing for 228 yards against the Bulldogs, he had a 125 total yards and two scores against Kentucky; it's definitely his backfield now. 

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 in Week 4 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; he was off in Week 5

22. 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 4, as he was held under 100 yards rushing for the first time this season; he was off in Week 5. 

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.

21. Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 25: Marcus Lattimore #21 of the South Carolina Gamecocks 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 few weeks back. 

But he's regressed some since then and didn't have much of a showing against Auburn in Week 4, with only 33 yards and a touchdown off 14 carries. Lattimore was off in Week 5. 

20. Adam Robinson, Iowa

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 05: Adam Robinson #32 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs the ball against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the FedEx Orange Bowl at Land Shark Stadium on January 5, 2010 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Iowa won 24-14. (Photo by Doug B

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 480 / AVG: 4.9 / TD: 6 / Receiving Yards: 143 / AVG: 20.4 / TD: 0

Robinson's numbers against Arizona a few weeks back are still fresh in our memories, but he's made up for it with two solid performances in a row to get back on track.

After putting up nearly 200 total yards and a pair of touchdowns against Ball State, Robinson followed it up with 95 hard-fought yards in Iowa's 24-3 victory over Penn State. 

19. Edwin Baker / Le'Veon Bell, Michigan State

2010 Stats

Baker: Rushing Yards: 536 / AVG: 7.1 / TD: 5 / Receiving Yards: 2 / AVG: 2.0 / TD: 0

Bell: Rushing Yards: 471 / AVG: 7.4 / TD: 7 / Receiving Yards: 63 / AVG: 15.8 / TD: 0

Normally we wouldn't do this, but it's gotten to the point that a timeshare between Baker and Bell is inevitable and both backs have played so well this season it would be a shame to leave either off the list. 

Both Baker and Bell are averaging over seven yards a carry, which is a ridiculous number for one player and nearly unheard of for two. 

18. Jordan Todman, Connecticut

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SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 21: Jordan Todman #23 of the Univeristy of Connecticut Huskies runs with the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on November 21, 2009 in South Bend, Indiana. Connecticut defeated Notre Dame 33-30 in o

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 638 / AVG: 6.5 / TD: 7 / Receiving Yards: 34 / AVG: 4.9 / TD: 0

The level of competition Todman has faced raises some concern that we're dealing with inflated numbers, but when someone is ranked in the top five in rushing at this point in the season there's no ignoring it.

Especially when Todman has only played in four games. Against Temple and Vanderbilt, he rushed for a combined 382 yards and three touchdowns. 

17. Stevan Ridley, LSU

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BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 14: Stevan Ridley #34 of the LSU Tigers avoids a tackle by Dominique Faust #21 of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Tiger Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers defeated the Bulldogs 24-16. (Photo by

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 557 / AVG: 5.7 / TD: 4 / Receiving Yards: 42 / AVG: 7.0 / TD: 0

Ridley has had two strong games in a row against some stiff competition. He's also scored a touchdown in four straight games and there's no denying he's climbing up the rankings. 

In a really tight contest against Tennessee, one that will be remembered for the end of game drama, Ridley rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown. 

16. Chris Polk, Washington

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 02: Running back Chris Polk #1 of the Washington Huskies celebrates his second quarter touchdown against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 2, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Washington won 32-31.

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 356 / AVG: 5.4 / TD: 3 / Receiving Yards: 59 / AVG: 9.8 / TD: 0

Polk rebounded well from an off game against a stifling Nebraska defense a couple of weeks ago. He and Jake Locker reminded the country that they're better than they've been. 

Polk only had 13 carries in Washington's 32-31 win over USC, but had 92 yards and a touchdown. He also added 50 yards receiving off four catches. 

15. 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 few weeks ago, in which Vereen rushed for nearly 200 yards, he was much more pedestrian in Cal's loss to Arizona in Week 4. 

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.

14. 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: 497 / AVG: 7.1 / TD: 6 / Receiving Yards: 10 / AVG: 5.0 / TD: 0

Wesley has been somewhat quiet the last couple of weeks, but in dominant wins he hasn't been needed for much and the numbers reflect that. 

After being held to 35 yards against Southern Methodist on just eight carries, Wesley bounced back with 15 carries for 78 yards and a pair of scores against Colorado State. 

13. Mikel LeShoure, Illinois

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CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 02: Nathan Williams #43 and Devon Torrence #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes tackle Mikel Leshoure #5 of the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Champaign, Illinois. Ohio State defeated Illinois 24-13. (P

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 478 / AVG: 6.2 / TD: 3 / Receiving Yards: 11 / AVG: 2.8 / TD: 0

LeShoure had his worst game of the season in Illinois loss to Ohio State this week, but he was pretty much the only positive about the Fighting Illini's offense on Saturday. 

After rushing for over 100 yards in each of his first three games this season, LeShoure was held to 80 yards off 19 carries and failed to find the endzone. 

12. Derrick Locke, Kentucky

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LEXINGTON, KY - SEPTEMBER 18: Derrick Locke #20 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs with the ball during the game against the Akron Zips at Commonwealth Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 543 / AVG: 5.3 / TD: 7 / Receiving Yards: 178 / AVG: 9.4 / TD: 0

Locke failed to rush for over 100 yards for the first time this season in Kentucky's 42-35 loss to Mississippi, but you could hardly call his performance a bad one. 

He was held to 68 yards rushing, but found the endzone twice. And probably more impressive was his eight catches for 108 yards. 

11. Vai Taua, Nevada

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LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 02: Vai Taua #34 of the Nevada Reno Wolf Pack celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the UNLV Rebels in the second quarter of their game at Sam Boyd Stadium October 2, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nevada Reno won 44-26. (Photo by

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 641 / AVG: 6.4 / TD: 8 / Receiving Yards: 54 / AVG: 9.0 / TD: 1

Vai Taua had his best game of the season in Nevada's blowout win over UNLV. He's rushed for over 100 yards in four straight contests and might have done it in five if he'd had more than 12 carries in the season opener. 

Against UNLV, Taua had 188 yards and three touchdowns, with two catches for 17 yards and fourth score. 

10. Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State

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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 04: Running back Jacquizz Rodgers #1 of the Oregon State Beavers at Cowboys Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 398 / AVG: 4.7 / TD: 6 / Receiving Yards: 38 / AVG: 4.8 / TD: 1

Like Montel Harris of Boston College, Jacquizz Rodgers has been up and down through the first four games of the year. 

He was bad against TCU, great against Louisville, bad against Boise State, and then great against Arizona State in a big 31-28 victory for Oregon State. 

9. DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma

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DALLAS - OCTOBER 02: Running back Demarco Murray #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs for a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns in the first quarter at the Cotton Bowl on October 2, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 551 / AVG: 4.2 / TD: 9 / Receiving Yards: 142 / AVG: 7.1 / TD: 1

Murray had a huge game in the Red-River Rivalry and was pivotal in Oklahoma's 28-20 victory. It was exactly the game he needed after a bad performance in the Sooners win over Cincinnati. 

Murray had 115 yards rushing a two touchdowns in the game, adding four catches for 34 yards. Through the first five weeks of the season he's tied for first in the nation in rushing touchdowns at nine. 

8. Noel Devine, West Virginia

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 and then a bye week can get 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 in Week 4. Devine had just 54 total yards off of 14 carries, just two catches and failed to find the end-zone.

7. 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: 574 / AVG: 7.0 / TD: 8 / Receiving Yards: 41 / AVG: 3.4 / TD: 0

Hunter had a big game against Texas A&M in a really huge win for the Cowboys. He's cooled off since his 257-yard, four touchdown performance against Washington State in opening weekend. 

He's still the eighth-leading rusher in the country though and is coming off a 101-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Aggies.  

6. 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 in Week 4.  

Thomas was held to 76 yards rushing on 22 carries after averaging 184 yards a game through three contests; he was off in Week 5. 

5. 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: 380 / AVG: 7.0 / TD: 7 / Receiving Yards: 90 / AVG: 11.3 / TD: 0

Ellington has proven time and time again this season that he belongs among the top running backs in the country and can be nearly as good for Clemson's offense as C.J. Spiller was. 

He's only been held under 100 yards once this season and that was in a blowout win he only had three carries in. Against Miami, Ellington had 107 yards and three touchdowns, adding another 39 yards off three catches. 

4. 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: 581 / AVG: 6.2 / TD: 6 / Receiving Yards: 0 / AVG: 0.0 / TD: 0

Things went from great to "what just happened?" for Clay. Not only was his 10-game streak of rushing for at least 100 yards snapped in Wisconsin's tough loss to Michigan State, but he's going to start splitting carries as well. 

Reports out of Wisconsin have confirmed that Clay and James White will have an open competition for the starting spot; what a change from a week ago. 

3. Trent Richardson, Alabama

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 02: Trent Richardson #3 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after a rush for a first down against the Florida Gators at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 419 / AVG: 7.4 / TD: 4 / Receiving Yards: 126 / AVG: 12.6 / TD: 1

With Richardson you have to pay more attention to the yards per carry than the actual numbers because of his unique situation; it's not often one of the best running backs in the country is playing second fiddle. 

Richardson and Mark Ingram both had less than stellar performances in Alabama's win over Florida, but Richardson still averaged 6.3 yards per carry on just 10 attempts. 

2. Mark Ingram, Alabama

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 02: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after their 31-6 win over the Florida Gators at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 355 / AVG: 7.9 / TD: 6 / Receiving Yards: 46 / AVG: 9.2 / TD: 0

Ingram had his worst game of the season against Florida, but the scoreboard reading 31-6 in favor of the Crimson Tide, there's not too much to complain about.

Ingram was held to just 47 yards off 12 carries, but did find the endzone twice. South Carolina is up next for an Alabama team that is rolling on all cylinders right now. 

1. LaMichael James, Oregon

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EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 2: Running back LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates as he scores a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 712 / AVG: 8.0 / TD: 7 / Receiving Yards: 9 / AVG: 9.0 / TD: 0

After missing the first game of the season with a suspension, James has been incredible the last four weeks on his way to being the second-leading rusher in the country. 

James is averaging a staggering eight yards a carry and just had 257 yards and three touchdowns in Oregon's dominant win over Stanford on national television. He's playing better than any back in the country.