College football's top 50 players: Lamar Jackson, then who?
— -- Let's just cut out all the drumroll surrounding who the best player in the country has been after eight weeks -- the answer is Lamar Jackson, ? just as it was after four weeks.
We asked 10 writers to grade players from across the country on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the best performance possible. Jackson's total: 10 perfect scores.
After the Louisville quarterback, though, things got interesting ... and very Alabama-heavy. Here are our experts' top 50 players after eight weeks.
Lamar Jackson
Louisville Cardinals
Sophomore | Quarterback
Score: 10.0
Previous rank: 1
Jabrill Peppers
Michigan Wolverines
Junior | Linebacker
Score: 9.6
Previous rank: 4
Jonathan Allen
Alabama Crimson Tide
Senior | Defensive lineman?
Score: 9.5
Previous rank: 6
Jake Browning
Washington Huskies
Sophomore | Quarterback
Score: 9.45
Previous rank: 43
Donnel Pumphrey
San Diego State Aztecs
Senior | Running back
Score: 9.4
Previous rank: 27
Derek Barnett
Tennessee Volunteers
Junior | Defensive end
Score: 9.35
Previous rank: 10
Myles Garrett
Texas A&M Aggies
Junior | Defensive lineman
Score: 9.3
Previous rank: 3
Deshaun Watson
Clemson Tigers
Junior | Quarterback
Score: 9.25
Previous rank: 23
Dede Westbrook
Oklahoma Sooners
Senior | Wide receiver
Score: 9.2
Previous: Unranked
Tim Williams
Alabama Crimson Tide
Senior | Linebacker
Score: 9.15
Previous: Unranked
Reuben Foster
Alabama Crimson Tide
Senior | Linebacker
Score: 9.1
Previous: Unranked
Raekwon McMillan
Ohio State Buckeyes
Junior | Linebacker
Score: 9.05
Previous rank: 14
Teez Tabor
Florida Gators
Junior | Defensive back
Score: 9.0
Previous rank: 22
Minkah Fitzpatrick
Alabama Crimson Tide
Sophomore | Defensive back
Score: 8.95
Previous: Unranked
Dalvin Cook
Florida State Seminoles
Junior | Running back
Score: 8.9
Previous rank: 19
A slow start and the criticisms that followed fueled Cook to the best four-game stretch over his career. The past four games, he's rushed for 672 yards and totaled five touchdowns. No Power 5 running back has more than his 900 rushing yards. An improved receiver, he leads all Power 5 players with 1,256 scrimmage yards. -- Jared Shanker
Christian Wilkins
Clemson Tigers
Sophomore | Defensive lineman
Score: 8.85
Previous rank: 30
Jourdan Lewis
Michigan Wolverines
Senior | Cornerback
Score: 8.8
Previous: Unranked
Michigan's top cover corner is back to top form after missing the first few weeks of the season with nagging injuries. His Jumpman-mimicking interception against Wisconsin may be his only major highlight so far this year, but his suffocating defense on every snap has helped the Wolverines hold opposing quarterbacks to six combined completions in their past two games. -- Dan Murphy
Eddie Jackson
Alabama Crimson Tide
Senior | Defensive back
Score: 8.75
Previous rank: 18
Arden Key
LSU Tigers
Sophomore | Defensive end
Score: 8.7
Previous rank: 7
Malik Hooker
Ohio State Buckeyes
Sophomore | Defensive back
Score: 8.65
Previous rank: 21
Zach Cunningham
Vanderbilt Commodores
Junior | Linebacker
Score: 8.6
Previous: Unranked
Patrick Mahomes II
Texas Tech
Junior | Quarterback
Score: 8.55
Previous rank: 28
Ejuan Price
Pittsburgh Panthers
Senior | Defensive lineman
Score: 8.5
Previous: Unranked
Price is making the most of his sixth year at Pitt, as he leads the nation in sacks (nine) and is fourth nationally in tackles for loss (13), in addition to forcing three fumbles. These numbers are all the more impressive considering all of the double-teams Price has seen in light of a season-ending injury to fellow end Dewayne Hendrix. -- Matt Fortuna
Desmond King
Iowa Hawkeyes
Senior | Defensive back
Score: 8.45
Previous rank: 15
J.T. Barrett
Ohio State Buckeyes
Junior | Quarterback
Score: 8.4
Previous rank: 5
Jalen Hurts
Alabama Crimson Tide
Freshman | Quarterback
Score: 8.35
Previous: Unranked
Give the frosh some Heisman love, as he's perfected the zone-read at Alabama with 2,070 total yards of offense and 20 touchdowns. He's completed 62.7 percent of his passes against ranked opponents and is averaging 65.1 rushing yards per game this season. --? Edward Aschoff
DeMarcus Walker
Florida State Seminoles
Senior | Defensive end
Score: 8.3
Previous rank: 11
The decision to come back for his senior season is paying dividends for Walker, who nearly opted to declare for the draft after a junior season with 10.5 sacks. Through seven games this year, Walker has 8.5 sacks, which ranks second nationally. He had 4.5 sacks against Ole Miss alone, which put him in a category with the likes of Jadeveon Clowney and Ndamukong Suh. -- Jared Shanker
Budda Baker
Washington Huskies
Junior | Defensive back
Score: 8.25
Previous: Unranked
Carl Lawson
Auburn Tigers
Junior | Defensive lineman
Score: 8.2
Previous rank: 20
Baker Mayfield
Oklahoma Sooners
Junior | Quarterback
Score: 8.15
Previous: Unranked
After a slow start -- by his standards -- that all but derailed his Heisman candidacy, the junior has outperformed all quarterbacks nationally over the past four weeks. In Big 12 play, he leads the nation in passing yardage, touchdown passes and QBR. -- Mitch Sherman
Jamal Adams
LSU Tigers
Junior | Defensive back
Score: 8.1
Previous: Unranked
Adams continues to play a Tyrann Mathieu-like role for LSU's defense, frequently making big plays that turn games in the Tigers' favor. Second-half disruptive plays by Adams helped LSU slam the door on each of their past two opponents. -- David Ching
Pat Elflein
Ohio State Buckeyes
Senior | Offensive lineman
Score: 8.05
Previous rank: 12
The decision to return for another season and move to center was a wise one for Elflein. He's shown few problems handling snapping duties while continuing to be a physical blocker, boosting his draft stock and providing leadership for three new starters on the line. -- Austin Ward
Amba Etta-Tawo
Syracuse Orange
Senior | Wide receiver
Score: 8.0
Previous: Unranked
Etta-Tawo has taken the ACC by storm in his one and only year after moving over as a graduate transfer from Maryland. Etta-Tawo is second nationally in receiving yards (1,074), tied for fourth in receptions (66) and leads the ACC with seven touchdown receptions. His six 100-yard games this season place him fifth on Syracuse's career list. -- Matt Fortuna
Evan Engram
Ole Miss Rebels
Senior | Tight end
Score: 7.95
Previous rank: 16
Before Saturday's clunker against LSU, Engram was averaging six catches for 98 yards per game. Even after Saturday, he still leads all SEC players -- both wide receivers and tight ends -- with 605 receiving yards on the season. ?-- Greg Ostendorf
Ben Boulware
Clemson Tigers
Senior | Linebacker
Score: 7.9
Previous rank: 25
Boulware has come to be known for his relentless play throughout the course of his career, and this season is no different. He ranks No. 3 in the ACC in tackles per game (9.5), while adding six pressures and two forced fumbles. -- Andrea Adelson
T.J. Watt
Wisconsin Badgers
Junior | Linebacker
Score: 7.85
Previous: Unranked
Watt's ascension has been remarkable for a guy who has played only linebacker for about 15 months after moving over from tight end. He ranks second in the Big Ten in sacks, fourth in tackles for loss and continues to improve every game. Scary. -- Jesse Temple
Ethan Pocic
LSU Tigers
Senior | Offensive lineman
Score: 7.8
Previous: Unranked
Pocic is back at center after temporarily shifting to tackle to help LSU cope with injury issues. The senior's mental acuity is extremely valuable to the Tigers, as are his versatility and impressive agility for a 6-foot-7 center. -- David Ching
Chad Hansen
California Golden Bears
Junior | Wide receiver
Score: 7.75
Previous rank: 44
Hansen sat out last week against Oregon with an injury, but he still ranks in the top 15 in FBS in receptions (ninth, 59 catches), touchdowns (12th, eight touchdowns) and receiving yards (15th, 770 yards). -- Chantel Jennings
Leonard Fournette
LSU Tigers
Junior | Running back
Score: 7.7
Previous rank: 24
The man misses a month and then immediately shatters LSU's single-game rushing record with 284 yards in his return. And get this: Fournette says his ankle was not fully healthy and that he was out of shape against Ole Miss. -- David Ching
Calvin Ridley
Alabama Crimson Tide
Sophomore | Wide receiver
Score: 7.65
Previous rank: 29
For four games this season, he's essentially been a decoy with less than 30 yards receiving per contest. And still, despite that, he ranks fourth in the SEC in receiving yards with 504. As true freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts becomes more comfortable as a passer, Ridley's numbers should improve. -- Alex Scarborough
Adoree' Jackson
USC Trojans
Junior | Defensive back
Score: 7.6
Preseason rank: 31
Jackson continues to be one of the most dynamic players in the country. His stat line is a testament to that: 34 tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, 11 punt returns (171 yards, one touchdown) and 11 kick returns (349 yards, one touchdown). -- Chantel Jennings
Cam Robinson
Alabama Crimson Tide
Junior | Offensive lineman
Score: 7.55
Previous: Unranked
Robinson probably would admit that he hasn't been as consistent as he'd like, but Robinson still projects as a top-20 draft pick. He's helped Alabama average an SEC-high 108.8 rushing yards to the left side per game against Power 5 opponents. -- Edward Aschoff
James Washington
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Junior | Wide receiver
Score: 7.5
Previous rank: 41
Few receivers are more explosive. Just ask Pitt, against which Washington caught six passes for 228 yards -- all in the first half. With 740 receiving yards on 37 catches this fall as a junior, he has etched a spot among the OSU pass-catching greats. -- Mitch Sherman
Carlos Watkins
Clemson Tigers
Senior | Defensive line
Score: 7.45
Previous: Unranked
Few interior linemen are as disruptive as Watkins, who ranks second among ACC defensive tackles with 4.5 sacks and has been an anchor on a defensive line that has allowed just 2.01 yards per rush between the tackles this season, the fifth-best rate in the Power 5. More than his on-field performance, however, Clemson's coaches have raved about Watkins' leadership role on a line playing numerous inexperienced players. -- David M. Hale
Trayveon Williams
Texas A&M Aggies
Freshman | Running back
Score: 7.4
Previous: Unranked
The true freshman has been one of the SEC's surprise players, emerging as one of the conference's most productive backs. He's second in the conference in rushing yards per game (103.9), third in yards per carry (7.99) and is third in total rushing yards (727) despite averaging only 13 carries per game. -- Sam Khan
Saquon Barkley
Penn State Nittany Lions
Sophomore | Running back
Score: 7.35
Previous: Unranked
Despite running behind one of the worst offensive lines in the Big Ten, Barkley remains one of the conference's best. Only three backs in the Power 5 have rushed for more than Barkley's eight touchdowns. -- Josh Moyer
Luke Falk
Washington State Cougars
Junior | Quarterback
Score: 7.3
Previous: Unranked
Falk leads the nation in pass completion percentage (72.7), which is tough to do when considering that he has attempted 348 passes. He has thrown for 19 touchdowns and 24 passes of 20-plus yards. -- Chantel Jennings
Montravius Adams
Auburn Tigers
Senior | Defensive lineman
Score: 7.25
Previous: Unranked
Carl Lawson might get more attention on Auburn's defensive line, but don't forget about Adams. The senior defensive tackle has 44 tackles, including three for loss. Plus, he's also forced two fumbles and returned another for a touchdown. -- Greg Ostendorf
Seth Russell
Baylor Bears
Senior | Quarterback
Score: 7.2
Previous rank: 34
Russell is flying under the radar a little this season despite an undefeated start and solid numbers (1,772 total yards, 21 touchdowns), but that should change soon now that Baylor has some huge ballgames coming up. -- Max Olson
Greg Ward Jr.
Houston Cougars
Senior | Quarterback
Score: 7.1
Previous rank: 8
The senior is having his best season as a passer with a career-high 69.3 percent completion rate (seventh best in the FBS), 2,179 yards and 13 touchdown passes, both of which are on pace to surpass his career bests. He's still one of the nation's best rushing quarterbacks, averaging 59.6 yards per game on the ground (12th best nationally). -- Sam Khan