Heisman Trophy Watch 2010: Denard Robinson Dropping, So Who's No. 1?

Heisman Trophy Watch 2010 is heating up.

And with Michigan Wolverines quarterback Denard Robinson dropping once again through seven weeks of college football, it’s time to crown a new No. 1 Heisman Trophy candidate.

Today, starting with five sleepers, we’ll be counting down the top 10 current Heisman candidates and why they deserve the coveted NCAA gridiron hardware.

Sleeper No. 5: Daniel Thomas, Kansas State Wildcats RB

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LAWRENCE, KS - OCTOBER 14: Daniel Thomas #8 of the Kansas State Wildcats carries the ball as Olaitan Oguntodu #44 of the Kansas Jayhawks defends during the game on October 14, 2010 at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Im

The Kansas State Wildcats are 5-1 overall this season, and with that in mind, don’t overlook talented running back Daniel Thomas.

Through six games in 2010, Thomas has garnered 782 yards and seven touchdowns.

Sleeper No. 4: Taylor Martinez, Nebraska Cornhuskers QB

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LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Taylor Martinez #3 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers runs from the grasp of Texas Longhorns linebacker Emmanuel Acho #18 during first half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. T

The 5-1 Nebraska Cornhuskers are led by quarterback Taylor Martinez, one of a handful of sleeper candidates for this season’s Heisman hardware.

Martinez has thrown for 723 yards and three touchdowns while compiling 758 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.

Sleeper No. 3: Robert Griffin III, Baylor Bears QB

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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 8: Quarterback Robert Griffin #10 of the Baylor Bears runs the ball during the game against the Texas Longhorns on November 8, 2008 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. Texas won 45-21. (Photo by Brian Bahr/G

Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III has been a stud this season for the Bears, leading the team to a 5-2 overall record and a 2-1 Big 12 mark.

Griffin III has amassed 1,969 passing yards this season along with 14 touchdowns; the sophomore play-caller has also rushed for 376 yards and six touchdowns.

Sleeper No. 2: Vai Taua, Nevada Wolf Pack RB

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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)

The 6-1 Nevada Wolf Pack have a star-studded running back in Vai Taua, and others are beginning to take notice.

Taua has garnered 928 yards on 140 carries in 2010, scoring 11 touchdowns.

Sleeper No. 1: Andy Dalton, TCU Horned Frogs QB

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FORT WORTH, TX - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs scrambles with the ball against the Brigham Young University Cougars at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by To

TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Andy Dalton is on the verge of moving from No. 1 sleeper candidate and into the top 10 current possibilities.

Dalton has garnered 1,450 passing yards along with 13 touchdowns this season en route to a 7-0 overall record this season.

Current No. 10: Ryan Mallett, Arkansas Razorbacks QB

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FAYETTEVILLE - SEPTEMBER 25: Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks passes the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Alabama won 24-20. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Get

Although the Arkansas Razorbacks lost its latest matchup—along with its quarterback Ryan Mallett due to a concussion—all hope is not lost.

In fact, through six games, Mallett has thrown for 1,844 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Current No. 9: Andrew Luck, Stanford Cardinal QB

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PALO ALTO, CA - OCTOBER 09: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal in action during their game against the USC Trojans at Stanford Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Through six games as the Stanford Cardinal play-caller, junior QB Andrew Luck still has a fighting chance at nabbing the Heisman hardware.

Luck has passed for 1,538 yards along with 16 touchdowns, garnering 242 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

Current No. 8: John Clay, Wisconsin Badgers RB

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MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 16: John Clay #32 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs for a first down against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Camp Randall Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Wisconsin Badgers running back John Clay was a key factor to this past weekend’s upset of former No. 1 Ohio State, with the RB rushing for 104 yards and two touchdowns.

Through seven games in 2010, Clay has garnered 796 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.

Current No. 7: Landry Jones, Oklahoma Sooners QB

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CINCINNATI - SEPTEMBER 25: Landry Jones #12 of the Oklahoma Sooners throws a pass during the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Paul Brown Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Another QB on the verge of entering the elite top five Heisman candidates is Oklahoma Sooners play-caller Landry Jones.

Just this past weekend, Jones threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns—bringing his 2010 total to 1,457 passing yards with 14 touchdowns.

Current No. 6: Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State Cowboys RB

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STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 5: Running back Kendall Hunter #24 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys carries the ball six yards as Rennie Curran #35 of the Georgia Bulldogs tries to stop him during the fourth quarter of the game at Boone Pickens Stadium on Septemb

Oklahoma State Cowboys running back Kendall Hunter is another possibility for attaining the Heisman hardware at the end of the season.

Through six games in 2010, Hunter has rushed for 830 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Current No. 5: Denard Robinson, Michigan Wolverines QB

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ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 09: Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines drops back to pass during the game against the Michigan State Spartans on October 9, 2010 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan State Spartans defeated the Mich

Denard Robinson, taking a huge dip in the Heisman candidates 2010 watch list, has dropped to No. 5 through Week 7 of the college football season.

Robinson has 1,319 passing yards this season, along with nine touchdowns and five interceptions—while compiling 1,096 rushing yards with nine touchdowns.

Current No. 4: Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State Buckeyes QB

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MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 16: Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes rushes against Kevin Claxton #37 of the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated Ohio State 31-18. (Photo by Jonathan Dan

Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor may be a whole lot higher on quite a few Heisman watch lists, but the Buckeyes QB’s stock has definitely dropped.

Pryor has 1,505 rushing yards in 2010 along with 15 touchdowns and four interceptions; on the ground, the Ohio State play-caller has garnered 410 yards and three touchdowns.

Current No. 3: Cameron Newton, Auburn Tigers QB

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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)

Cameron Newton, the quarterback for the undefeated Auburn Tigers, absolutely has a solid change at garnering the coveted 2010 Heisman.

Newton has passed for 1,278 yards this season with 13 touchdowns and five interceptions, along with garnering 860 rushing yards with 12 touchdowns.

Current No. 2: LaMichael James, Oregon Ducks RB

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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

Oregon Ducks running back LaMichael James rolls in at No. 2 in this week’s Heisman Trophy Watch 2010.

This season, James has attained 848 rushing yards with nine touchdowns, also garnering three receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown. 

Current No. 1: Kellen Moore, Boise State Broncos QB

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BOISE, ID - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos hands off the ball against the Oregon State Beavers at Bronco Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images)

The current No. 1 Heisman Trophy candidate is none other than Boise State Broncos quarterback Kellen Moore.

En route to an undefeated record this season, Moore has thrown for 1,567 yards with 16 touchdowns and just one interception.

Denton Ramsey may be reached via email at [e-mail]