Picking the 2008 College Football Award Winners

Will Shelton by Columnist Written on December 09, 2008
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On Thursday night at 7:30, ESPN will once again televise the College Football Awards Show, which will see a dozen awards presented plus name the Walter Camp All-American team. And since the Heisman Trophy still gets its own night and I'll be celebrating 11 years of not watching it, here's the breakdown and my picks for who should win everything else on Thursday night:

Davey O'Brien Award - Best QB
Finalists:
- Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
- Graham Harrell, Texas Tech
- Colt McCoy, Texas

It's the Big 12 South's party and Tim Tebow isn't invited. And perhaps rightfully so, because the numbers on these three guys, with each playing in an elite BCS conference, are staggering. The same round robin argument can't really be used to pick a winner here because they split against each other, and the stats also leave you with questions: Harrell threw for the most yards, Bradford the most touchdowns, and McCoy had the highest completion percentage.

In such a tight race, you need something to stand out. Harrell will continue to be somewhat overlooked, even if unfairly, because of the system he plays in. Between McCoy and Bradford, the edge has to go to McCoy not only because Texas beat OU, but for the way McCoy has made plays with his feet as well all season. In other years the seasons Bradford and Harrell have put up would've been good enough to win...but in 2008 the nod has to go to Colt McCoy.

Will's Pick: Colt McCoy

Doak Walker Award - Best RB
Finalists:
- Shonn Greene, Iowa
- Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
- Javon Ringer, Michigan State

No disrespect to the SEC pick, but Moreno doesn't have the numbers to be in the conversation between these two. It's questionable where Donald Brown from UConn is in this race, but these are the finalists so we'll play the hand we're dealt.

Again, the numbers differ: Greene has more yards, Ringer more touchdowns. When the two teams played head to head, Michigan State won the game, but Greene outgained him by sixty yards. Therefore...

Will's Pick: Shonn Greene

Fred Biletnikoff Award - Best WR
Finalists:
- Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State
- Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
- Jeremy Maclin, Missouri

Crabtree is going to win because he's developed a better name recognition than the other two guys, even thought they've both had outstanding seasons as well; Bryant has more receiving yards than Crabtree, and Maclin has done more from an all-purpose standpoint.

But Crabtree has the definitive play of the year in college football to go along with his name value, and outplayed Bryant head to head. All great players this season, but I see no way Crabtree doesn't walk home with the trophy.

Will's Pick: Michael Crabtree

Outland Trophy - Best Interior Lineman
Finalists:
- Michael Oher, Ole Miss
- Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
- Andre Smith, Alabama

An interesting mix that features the best lineman on the best offense in college football for a team that'll play for the National Championship, the best interior lineman on an Alabama unit that just missed the same prize...and Michael Oher, who's done more with less than both of them.

All three have NFL mega-dollars in their futures, and have had accomplished seasons, but R

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Vote Now! - Author Poll

Who should be named college football's coach of the year?

  • Mark Dantonio, Michigan State
  • Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern
  • Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech
  • Brian Kelly, Cincinnati
  • Mike Leach, Texas Tech
  • Houston Nutt, Ole Miss
  • Joe Paterno, Penn State
  • Nick Saban, Alabama
  • Kyle Whittingham, Utah
  • Other
vote to see results
Results - Author Poll

Who should be named college football's coach of the year?

  • Mark Dantonio, Michigan State

    4.7%
  • Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern

    2.7%
  • Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech

    4.7%
  • Brian Kelly, Cincinnati

    6.0%
  • Mike Leach, Texas Tech

    15.3%
  • Houston Nutt, Ole Miss

    6.7%
  • Joe Paterno, Penn State

    13.3%
  • Nick Saban, Alabama

    28.7%
  • Kyle Whittingham, Utah

    8.0%
  • Other

    10.0%
  • Total votes: 150
(2)
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written on December 09, 2008 Sports

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