College Football 2011: Heisman Trophy Watch Heading into Week 6

As we are getting closer to the midseason point to the college football season, there are still around 20 players that I can make a case for cracking the Top 10.

The faces in the upper portion haven't changed much, though their positioning has.

Could a defensive player finally crack the rankings?

Let's take a look at how the Heisman Trophy contenders rank as we head into Week 6 of the college football season.

10. Tyrann Mathieu

Since 1950, only one non-quarterback, running back or wide receiver has won the Heisman Trophy: Michigan’s Charles Woodson in 1998.

Mathieu is looking to be the second.

Anytime you watch LSU play, you come away impressed by Mathieu and his exceptional playmaking ability.

Coming into this week, the sophomore leads the LSU defense in both total tackles (30) and solo tackles (21). He has 3.5 tackles for loss, one interception, five passes defended, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery on the year.

He's been the best player on the field for LSU against the likes of Oregon and WVU and was so again yesterday in the Tigers' win against Kentucky.

9. LaMichael James

Last Week's Result: Bye

2011 Stats: 611 rushing yards, 8 touchdowns

Last Week's Ranking: NR

James reappears in the rankings after spending the past two weeks on the outside knocking on the door.

His past two games we've seen the production expected from him and more as he's rushed for 491 yards and five touchdowns.

Don't forget about Oregon and James the rest of the season as they will be a big factor the rest of the season.

8. Marcus Lattimore

Last Week's Result: 66 rushing yards, 1 touchdown

2011 Stats: 686 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns

Last Week's Ranking: 1

Lattimore makes the huge plummet down to No. 8 after only gaining 66 yards on the ground in the Gamecocks' loss to Auburn.

One thing that sticks out is that Lattimore had only 17 carries in what turned out to be a three-point loss.

His numbers are still there, though, for the season and has a chance to climb back up into the upper half of the rankings soon.

7. Trent Richardson

Last Week's Result: 181 yards rushing, 2 touchdowns

2011 Stats: 620 yards rushing, 12 touchdowns

Last Week's Ranking: 8

Richardson has been a touchdown machine this season and has eclipsed the 100-yard plateau for the fourth consecutive week, after posting a career-high 181 yards on the ground in the Crimson Tide's biggest game of the year to date.

He's a workhorse and his numbers will be there all season, as he is the focal point of the Alabama offense.

6. Denard Robinson

Last Week's Result: 51 rushing yards, 169 passing yards, 3 touchdowns

2011 Stats: 649 rushing yards, 796 passing yards, 13 touchdowns

Last Week's Result: 7

Robinson keeps putting up great numbers and keeps dazzling us with his playmaking ability.

I still want to see him do that against better competition, something the Wolverines really haven't seen yet. I also want to see some more production from his arm.

He had a good day Saturday, going an efficient 15-of-19 in the air.

5. Kellen Moore

Last Week's Result: 149 passing yards, 2 touchdowns

2011 Stats: 1,144 passing yards, 14 touchdowns

Last Week's Ranking: 3

Saturday saw a rare small stat line from Moore as he threw as many touchdowns as interceptions (two).

He's a bit banged up at the moment and rarely gets four quarters of work to put up his numbers, but he's still one of the top handful of players in the nation.

4. Landry Jones

Last Week's Result: 425 passing yards, 5 touchdowns

2011 Stats: 1,435 passing yards, 12 touchdowns

Last Week's Ranking: 6

The top six guys are all signal callers and that includes Jones, who put up his second consecutive big statistical game.

With the Sooners remaining in the race for a national championship, his Heisman chances will remain high, but his interceptions remain a concern.

3. Robert Griffin III

Last Week's Result: 346 passing yards, 5 touchdowns

2011 Stats: 1,290 passing yards, 180 rushing yards, 19 touchdowns

Last Week's Ranking: 2

Griffin III had another fantastic performance, but you know what they say: You can't win the Heisman Trophy on one play, but you can lose it.

Despite the five touchdown passes, it was his late interception that likely cost Baylor the game against Kansas State.

Regardless, Griffin III remains high on the list and has a legitimate chance to bring home the award.

2. Russell Wilson

Last Week's Result: 255 passing yards, 35 rushing yards, 3 touchdowns

2011 Stats: 1,383 passing yards, 184 rushing yards, 15 touchdowns

Last Week's Ranking:  4

It's almost amazing how comfortable Wilson has been in the Wisconsin offense after only five weeks. It was also very difficult not to bump him all the way up to the top spot, but he climbs to No. 2 this week.

His stock has been on the rise every week, and if he keeps it up it won't be long before this becomes his award to lose.

He also showed the nation how talented he is by dismantling Nebraska in front of a national audience.

1. Andrew Luck

Last Week's Result: 227 passing yards, 3 touchdowns

2011 Stats: 1,011 passing yards, 12 touchdowns

Last Week's Ranking: 5

The Heisman Trophy is, and always was, Luck's to lose. Through five week's he's done nothing to do that.

His numbers are good and Stanford is undefeated. The numbers may not be Heisman-like, but this doesn't have to be a statistical award all of the time. The Cardinal haven't even needed him to do anything special yet, which we already know he is capable of doing.

The Heisman Trophy is awarded to the best player in college football and right now that is still Luck.