Heisman Trophy Rankings: Power Ranking The Top Candidates

Just five weeks into the season and the Heisman frontrunners have already established themselves.

Some haven't proven themselves against top competition and will sit lower on the power rankings for now, but we've seen enough to get a rough idea of who stands where.

And with a certain Michigan Wolverine shattering records with ease, we might have even found our winner with almost three months still to play, but more on that later...

5. Kealoha Pilares, WR, Hawaii

Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

HONOLULU - SEPTEMBER 02: Kealoha Pilares #21 of the University of Hawaii Warriors carries the ball during second half action second half action at Aloha Stadium September 2, 2010 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

2010 Stats: 39 receptions, 682 yards, 9 TDs, 17.5 YPC

Pilares has been putting up otherworldly numbers at WR and no one seems to care.

Check out his individual game log and you’ll see what I mean:

Week 1 (against the powerhouse USC Trojans): 5 rec, 176 yds, 3 TD

Week 2: 6 rec, 104 yds, 1 TD

Week 3: 6 rec, 117 yds, 1 TD

Week 4: 4 rec, 68 yds, 2 TD

Week 5: 18 rec, 217 yds, 2 TD

18 receptions? Unbelievable.

If it weren’t for his team’s 3-2 record against poor competition and pass-happy system (Davone Bess, anyone?), he’d rank even higher.

4. Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State

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CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 02: Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes throws a pass against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Champaign, Illinois. Ohio State defeated Illinois 24-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty

2010 Stats: 65% completion rate, 1015 passing yards, 12 TD, 3 INT, 373 rushing yards, 3 TD, 6.9 YPC

The hyper-athletic Buckeye has taken a huge step forward so far in his junior season, but he hasn’t proved himself against a top opponent yet.

With 15 TDs in just four games and two 100-yard rushing games, Pryor has certainly put himself in the Heisman conversation, but he simply isn’t a frontrunner because of the competition he’s faced to this point.

If he can carry his team and dominate in big games against Wisconsin, Iowa, and Michigan, he’ll have a shot at the award, but the fact is that the Buckeyes don’t need him to dominate to win.

Their excellent defense and running game takes a lot of pressure off of Pryor, so it will be that much harder for him to put up huge numbers than it is for other candidates who are the only weapons on their teams.

3. Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

2010 Stats: 65.5% completion rate, 928 passing yards, 12 TD, 4 INT, 474 rushing yards, 5 TD, 6.2 YPC

Newton, the Florida Gator-turned-Juco transfer to Auburn is putting up ridiculous pass efficiency numbers as well as impressive rushing totals.

He’s No. 1 in the nation in QB rating at 191.44, comfortably in the realm of a Heisman winner's numbers.

Newton has also proved himself against top competition, something that most of his rival contenders can’t say.

He put up over 300 total yards, including 176 rushing and five touchdowns, against South Carolina. That’s more than enough to put him in the top three.

If it weren’t for his two interceptions in a closer-than-expected win against Clemson, he might weigh in at No. 2.

2. LaMichael James, RB, 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 as defensive end Jack Forbes #99 of the Portland State Vikings gives chase in the second quarter of the game at Autzen Stadium on Septembe

2010 Stats: 89 rushes, 712 yards, 7 TD, 8.0 YPC

James, the most explosive player on the most explosive offense in the country, has been putting up mind-boggling stats on the ground, sustaining his 8.0 YPC average over 89 rushing attempts.

He’s tallied over 200 yards in two out of four games, going over 100 yards in three of four, and had a more-than-respectable 94 yards in his worst outing.

LaMichael torched a top team in Stanford last week, to the tune of 257 yards and three touchdowns, including a 76-yard scamper, and that certainly makes him worthy of this spot.

If he hadn't missed the Ducks’ first game due to suspension, his stats would be even more impressive.

1. Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 11: Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines looks for a receiver under pressure from Carlo Calabrese #44 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 11, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Michigan defeat

2010 Stats: Passing: 1008 yards, 69.8% completion rate 10.50 YPA, 7 TD, 1 INT, 179.97 RAT

Rushing: 905 yards, 9.2 YPC, 8 TD

Total: 1913 yards, 15 TD

Those numbers are not misprints.

Denard is so far ahead of the rest of the field, he could probably win the award once for his rushing stats and then win it again for his passing stats.

Ok, maybe that’s exaggerating a bit, but c’mon.

The only thing that’s stopped him so far was an injury against Bowling Green, but in less than a quarter of play he still racked up 189 yards and two touchdowns.

And don't forget he's the only player in history to record 200 passing yards and 200 rushing yards in the same game twice in his career.

Oh, and it took him just five career starts to accomplish what no one had done in an entire career.

If he keeps up this pace, or anything even remotely close to it, as long as Michigan gets to eight or so wins, Robinson should win the award unanimously.

Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud