2011 Awards watch list

[shylo3716]

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1280669
the awards watch
A weekly look at the top three candidates for some key postseason awards.
Davey O'Brien
(top quarterback)
1. Russell Wilson (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=84392), Wisconsin (http://wisconsin.rivals.com/)
2. Andrew Luck (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=406998), Stanford (http://stanford.rivals.com/)
3. Robert Griffin (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=401586), Baylor (http://baylor.rivals.com/)
Doak Walker
(best running back)
1. Trent Richardson (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=420289), Alabama (http://alabama.rivals.com/)
2. LaMichael James (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=401660), Oregon (http://oregon.rivals.com/)
3. David Wilson (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=419846), Virginia Tech (http://virginiatech.rivals.com/)
Biletnikoff
(most outstanding wide receiver)
1. Ryan Broyles (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=84816), Oklahoma (http://oklahoma.rivals.com/)
2. Justin Blackmon (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=406619), Oklahoma State (http://oklahomastate.rivals.com/)
3. Sammy Watkins (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=442085), Clemson (http://clemson.rivals.com/)
Mackey
(top tight end)
1. Coby Fleener (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=383843), Stanford (http://stanford.rivals.com/)
2. Orson Charles (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=412376), Georgia (http://uga.rivals.com/)
3. Dwayne Allen (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=407823), Clemson (http://clemson.rivals.com/)
Rimington
(most outstanding center)
1. Peter Konz (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=401463), Wisconsin (http://wisconsin.rivals.com/)
2. Ben Jones (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=400766), Georgia (http://uga.rivals.com/)
3. David Molk (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=84732), Michigan (http://michigan.rivals.com/)
Outland
(best interior lineman)
1. OT Nate Potter (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=381092), Boise State (http://boisestate.rivals.com/)
2. G/T Barrett Jones (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=402306), Alabama (http://alabama.rivals.com/)
3. DT Jerel Worthy (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=408178), Michigan State (http://michiganstate.rivals.com/)
Nagurski
(most outstanding defensive player)
1. CB Tyrann Mathieu (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=432564), LSU (http://lsu.rivals.com/)
2. E Whitney Mercilus (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=404591), Illinois (http://illinois.rivals.com/)
3. LB Luke Kuechly (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=417804), Boston College (http://bostoncollege.rivals.com/)
Butkus
(most outstanding linebacker)
1. Luke Kuechly (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=417804), Boston College (http://bostoncollege.rivals.com/)
2. Lavonte David (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=425069), Nebraska (http://nebraska.rivals.com/)
3. Courtney Upshaw (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=402283), Alabama (http://alabama.rivals.com/)
Thorpe
(most outstanding defensive back)
1. CB Tyrann Mathieu (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=432564), LSU (http://lsu.rivals.com/)
2. SS Mark Barron (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=402239), Alabama (http://alabama.rivals.com/)
3. CB Jayron Hosley (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=419834), Virginia Tech (http://virginiatech.rivals.com/)
Lou Groza
(top kicker)
1. Dustin Hopkins (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=420453), Florida State (http://floridastate.rivals.com/)
2. Brett Maher (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=402127), Nebraska (http://nebraska.rivals.com/)
3. Caleb Sturgis (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=400848), Florida (http://florida.rivals.com/)
Ray Guy
(top punter)
1. Quinn Sharp (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=406474), Oklahoma State (http://oklahomastate.rivals.com/)
2. Ian Campbell (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=436944), UTEP (http://utep.rivals.com/)
3. Bobby Cowan (http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=411725), Idaho

[SolidGold]

Have to disagree with Wilson. He has been playing well but I think other QBs are putting up better seasons than him - Weeden, Jones, Moore come to mind.

[andyjo672]

Have to disagree with Wilson. He has been playing well but I think other QBs are putting up better seasons than him - Weeden, Jones, Moore come to mind.

That is beyond dumb. Highest QB Rating in the nation and numbers like that in a primarily run first offense. Arguably leading Heisman candidate as well.

[SolidGold]

That is beyond dumb. Highest QB Rating in the nation and numbers like that in a primarily run first offense. Arguably leading Heisman candidate as well.

I will have to see his season pan out. They have played all their games at home so far against a pretty weak schedule besides Nebraska. Also, like you said he plays in a run first offense behind a great offensive line and two quality RBs. Is he really that much better than Tolzien in that offense? If so, I wouldn't argue it was by much.

There are other QBs who play in the air it out offenses that will put up gaudy stats and that usually has an impact on those who vote for the awards.