2010 Heisman Trophy Rankings: Top Five Dark Horse Candidates

Ladies and gentlemen, college football fanatics all around the world, we are halfway through the regular season already. Oh, how time does fly when you're having fun.

Since we are already halfway through, it's time to begin discussing the Heisman Trophy.

There are a few players who have separated themselves from the pack.

The first player that comes to mind is Denard Robinson, the Michigan quarterback, who has already thrown for 1,123 yards and eight touchdowns, along with rushing for 991 yards and nine touchdowns.

Although Robinson has come out of the gate quickly, he has been closely followed by the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, along with Ryan Mallett, Terrelle Pryor, and Andrew Luck.

Needless to say, all the press is going to these players, but there are quite a few other candidates who are dark horses in this year's college football campaign.

James Evens is a Purdue student and Basketball/Football Featured Columnist for the Boilermakers, along with being a Writing Intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, or like him on Facebook.

LaMichael James, RB, 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/

James, the sophomore running back for the Ducks, has put up great numbers so far this season, especially considering he did not play in the 72-0 bashing of New Mexico.

With 114 attempts, he has rushed for 848 yards and nine touchdowns. Along with rushing, he has caught three passes for 96 yards, including one touchdown.

If James can keep up these numbers, he is expected to rush for 1,696 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Keeping these numbers up and even building on them would surely get him an invite to the ceremony, but unless something weird happens, he won't even eclipse Denard Robinson's rushing numbers.

Bryant Moniz, QB, Hawaii

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HONOLULU - SEPTEMBER 2: Quarterback Bryant Moniz #17 of the University of Hawaii Warriors makes a pass against the University of Southern California Trojans during first half action at Aloha Stadium September 2, 2010 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Kent N

Moniz, the junior quarterback from Hawaii, is putting up crazy numbers this season and is virtually being overlooked.

Moniz has passed for 2,245 yards, completing almost 65 percent of his passes, and thrown 18 touchdowns with only four interceptions.

If he keeps this pace up, he will pass for 4,864 yards and 40 touchdowns.

Everyone should just add Moniz, if they haven't already, to the list of great Hawaii quarterbacks.

Although he has the numbers to win a Heisman come the right year, his team just isn't good enough for him to be rewarded with the trophy. Plus there's that guy named Robinson—have I mentioned him?

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)

Although Pryor and Robinson have taken all the attention away from many other dual-threat quarterbacks in the quarterbacks in the country, people should recognize Cameron Newton as one of the best in the nation.

After sitting behind Tim Tebow for two seasons at Florida, Newton decided to transfer to Auburn so he could have a chance to play in the future.

This season has been far beyond average for Newton. In his first real season of playing time, he has compiled 1,138 yards with 12 touchdowns through the air, along with 672 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.

If Newton can find a way to keep these numbers up, he will pass for 2,276 yards and 24 touchdowns along with rushing for 1,344 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Newton is on a team that is currently undefeated in arguably the toughest conference in the nation. He deserves respect and could be the one that takes away the Heisman without anyone noticing.

Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State

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BOISE, ID - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos looks for a receiver against the Oregon State Beaversat Bronco Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images)

Moore, the Boise State junior, is putting up some great numbers this season. Moore has thrown for 1,336 yards and 14 touchdowns so far this season.

Although these stats don't seem all so great, just imagine that he has thrown these kind of attempts and only had one interception all year.

If these stats hold up, Moore will finish the season with 3,206 yards and 34 touchdowns. These numbers are quite insane for someone who is in a balanced offense.

If Boise State runs the table, he is likely to get an invite to the ceremony, but one slip-up—let's say Nevada, hint hint—and his Heisman chances are done like dinner.

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

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STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 05: Wide receiver Justin Blackmon #81 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys warms up before the college football game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Boone Pickens Stadium on September 5, 2009 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cowboys defe

Who?

Yeah, Justin Blackmon—the receiver that has put up brilliant yardage this season and received little to no national attention for it.

Blackmon, the junior out of OSU, has caught 47 passes for 748 yards and 11 touchdowns. If Blackmon can hold this pace, he will have 1,795 yards and 26 touchdowns.

With an undefeated team and his great contributions to the team, there is no way that Blackmon could be snubbed from an invite to NYC. These numbers are ridiculous, and he will break school records if not some NCAA records.