Predicting the Winner of Every Major College Football Award

As the college football season approaches its end, the debates heat up. From who should be in the national championship to who should win the Heisman, there are almost never any unanimous winners of any major college football awards.

While college football is a team game, and nobody can ever change that, these individual awards seek to recognize the elite talent of college football's highest division regardless of who that player suits up for.

From the Disney Spirit Award to the Heisman Memorial Trophy, here are the predictions for the winner of each of college football's 24 major awards.

Disney Spirit Award

Award given to: most inspirational player or team.

Previous winner: 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide.

2012 teams to be considered: Penn State Nittany Lions, Florida Gators, Alabama Crimson Tide.

2012 player to be considered: Marcus Lattimore.

While a player's inspirational "score" can usually be determined by pure grit on the football field and his unwillingness to quit, there are times when a player's heart is tested far more off the football field.

South Carolina's Marcus Lattimore gave us some footage and pictures that many of us would rather not have gotten. His emotion on the football field following his injury during the Tennessee game was palpable in living rooms across the nation.

The circumstances surrounding his 2012 season were already inspirational, as he had spent almost a year in rehab to come back from a left knee injury as it was. To see him go down with an injury to his right knee was devastating to the nation. It is never good when one of our kids is in a career-threatening situation like that.

His resolve to return to the football field showed us all his value as an inspirational role model. No. 21 may be the most-worn number in college football this season.

Predicted winner of Disney Spirit Award: Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina Gamecocks.

Runner-up: Penn State Nittany Lions for their resolve not to let the actions of one man speak for thousands. No team in college football has fought against more attrition than the Lions this year, and they have fought to a 5-3 start in a season that looked like it should have been win less.

Paul Hornung Award

Award given to: most versatile player.

Previous winner: 2010 Owen Marecic (Stanford). 

Players to consider: Ace Sanders (South Carolina) and Jordan Poyer (Oregon State) 

While there are 48 players still on the watch list, and many have recognizable names, Ace Sanders and Jordan Poyer are the two major standouts in the list.

Kenjon Barner, DeAnthony Thomas, Robert Woods, etc. are all known for their prowess at their positions. Poyer and Sanders are consistently making plays everywhere that they shouldn't necessarily be making plays.

Ace Sanders has 24 receptions for 270 yards and five touchdowns, 21 punt returns for 334 yards and one touchdown, one 16-yard touchdown pass and one solo tackle.

Jordan Poyer has five punt returns for 39 yards, five interceptions returned for 101 total yards and one touchdown, 18 solo tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack. He's also forced one fumble and broken up four passes this season.

Both of these players have only failed to help bring home victory for their teams once this season. There's plenty of season left for either player to become the front-runner for this award, so nothing is set in stone yet.

Predicted winner of Paul Hornung Award: Ace Sanders, South Carolina Gamecocks.

Lott IMPACT Trophy

Award given to: outstanding defensive player.

Previous winner: Luke Kuechly (2011), Boston College.

The Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list has already been narrowed down to 20 quarterfinalists. While there are a lot of deserving names on that list, one in particular stands head-and-shoulders above the rest.

He has been a force on the gridiron for a team that wasn't supposed to be anywhere near the BCS Top 25 at this point in the season.

He's been named the "Lott IMPACT Player of the Week" a stunning three times already, and has been key in close victories as his team has won time and time again.

He's got five interceptions returned for 35 total yards, a fumble returned for eight yards, 39 solo tackles (41 assisted), 4.5 tackles for loss and a sack on the season.

Those of you who are avid fans of his team already know who I'm talking about.

Predicted Lott IMPACT Trophy winner: Manti Te'o, Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Runner-up: Jarvis Jones, Georgia Bulldogs. (Lott IMPACT Player of the Week twice already this season.)

Frank Broyles Award

Award given to: assistant coach of the year.

Previous winner: 2011 John Chavis, defensive coordinator (LSU).

Defensive coordinators in consideration: Dan Quinn (Florida), Bob Diaco (Notre Dame), Nick Aliotti (Oregon) and Mark Banker (Oregon State). Honorable mention: Kirby Smart (Alabama) for taking a depleted reigning national champion and coaching last year's backups into the nation's top defense.

These four teams have played enormously above expectations in 2012. Yes, Oregon has always played a strong defense against the Pac-12 schedule it runs through year after year. Last year, the Ducks fell to the USC Trojans by only three points. This year, the majority of the points scored against Oregon are scored against the Ducks' third and fourth strings. This Saturday will establish the Ducks as either elite or pretenders on defense. USC is not likely to let Oregon sub in the backups in Week 10's epic showdown.

Nick Aliotti's reputation is on the line in Week 10. If it holds up like it did against Arizona, Aliotti could become the front-runner on this list.

Bob Diaco just held the Oklahoma Sooners to 13 points in Norman last week. As the Irish stand undefeated with a potential national championship berth for the first time in decades, Diaco's nomination needs no more explanation than that and the Irish's current perfect record.

Dan Quinn has just put Florida on the map this year, and that was not supposed to happen yet. It may not have been expected at all, given the current state of the SEC. Florida went from being a non-factor to being BCS No. 2 in a matter of less than a year. We can all agree that it wasn't Florida's offense that got them there.

Mark Banker's performance against the Washington Huskies didn't look good him, but the reason the game was lost was because Cody Vaz was subbed in at quarterback at least one interception too late. When your offense keeps turning the ball over, there's only so much you can do. Holding the opponent to 20 points after four interceptions is actually quite impressive, especially with the toll that takes on your defense.

Predicted winner of the Frank Broyles Award: Bob Diaco.

Any one of the other coaches could take over Diaco's spot, but it's absolutely his to lose if the first nine weeks are any indication.

Campbell Trophy

Award given to: top-scholar athlete.

Previous winner: 2011 Andrew Rodriguez (Army). 

Out of 147 semifinalists, here are the top three candidates:

1) Sean Renfree (Duke)

2) Manti Te'o (Notre Dame)

3) Barrett Jones (Alabama)

Sean Renfree of the Duke Blue Devils is currently getting his master's in humanities and holds a 3.81 GPA. Combine that with Duke's first trip to the postseason since 1994, and this kid is a lock for the Campbell Trophy.

Manti Te'o has got to be the best defender in the nation this year. Yes, there are plenty of arguments for other guys, but he actually intercepted Michigan out of contention for the victory over Notre Dame. That's putting the team on your back.

Barrett Jones could reasonably end this season as the greatest offensive lineman in the history of modern college football. Three different positions in three years, and he's working on his third-straight All-American honor to boot.

Predicted Campbell Trophy winner: Sean Renfree, Duke Blue Devils.

*His injury status may affect this award, but the majority of his resume is already complete. He is "probable" for Saturday's game against the Clemson Tigers.

Ted Hendricks Award

Award given to: defensive end of the year.

Previous winner: 2011 Whitney Mercilus (Illinois).

Players of note: Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina), Ben Gardner (Stanford), Bjoern Werner (Florida State), William Gholston (Michigan State), Barkevious Mingo (LSU), Sam Montgomery (LSU) and Damontre Moore (Texas A&M).

Any one of these players could have one great game that pops them back toward the top of the list, but there is one standout on that list. In fact, he's the only end on the list projected to go in the top 10 of the 2013 NFL draft.

He's got 20 solo tackles, eight sacks and five passes defended. He's on the Lott trophy watch list as well, and has already been named the IMPACT Player of the Week once this season.

Predicted Ted Hendricks Award winner: Bjoern Werner, Florida State Seminoles.

Ray Guy Award

Award given to: outstanding punter.

Previous winner: 2011 Ryan Allen (Louisiana Tech). 

Punting leaders: Ryan Allen (Louisiana Tech) and Kyle Christy (Florida).

Ryan Allen is averaging 48 yards per punt through 32 punts, with a long of 85 yards. Kyle Christy is averaging 47.8 yards per punt through 39 punts, but his long is 62 yards.

The good news for Christy is that Allen is a senior, so he won't be in the way next year. Seriously, is there anything a guy can do to overtake a punter who rocketed one for 85 yards?

Anything can happen, but still...

Predicted Ray Guy Award winner: Ryan Allen, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.

Lou Groza Award

Award given to: outstanding collegiate place-kicker.

Previous winner: 2011 Randy Bullock (Texas A&M).

High-scoring kickers: Matt Nelson (Louisiana Tech) and Rob Beard (Oregon).

Matt Nelson has missed only one of his 54 PAT attempts, and Rob Beard has missed none of his 55. While they are both less-than-automatic on field goals, half of Nelson's misses are from 40 or more yards away.

If Beard continues to be perfect at the PAT's, he should take this award home handily.

Predicted Lou Groza Award winner: Rob Beard, Oregon Ducks.

Jim Thorpe Award

Award given to: outstanding defensive back.

Previous winner: Morris Claiborne (2011), LSU.

Notable backs: Johnthan Banks (Mississippi State), Eric Reid (LSU), T.J. McDonald (USC), Matt Elam (Florida), Robert Lester (Alabama) and David Amerson (NC State). We'll put up some stats to help with evaluation.

Johnthan Banks: four interceptions (returned for 124 yards), 24 solo tackles, a forced fumble and two tackles for loss.

Eric Reid: two interceptions (returned for 29 yards), 21 solo tackles and one tackle for loss.

T.J. McDonald: an interception, 34 solo tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and a blocked kick.

Matt Elam: two interceptions (returned for 31 yards), 29 solo tackles, a forced fumble, 4 tackles for loss and a sack.

Robert Lester: three interceptions (returned for 20 yards), nine solo tackles 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

David Amerson: four interceptions (returned for 27 yards), 28 solo tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss.

What we know from these stats is that Lester, Banks and Amerson are the backs that opponents are avoiding throwing around. (Lester and Banks are starting to get more action lately, though, due to the fact that their teammates are stepping up and being just as lethal in pass protection.)

Something else we can see is that David Amerson is basically NC State's defense. The guy has 28 solo tackles and only eight assisted tackles. He's basically a one-man show in the Wolfpack secondary.

This is one of the tightest races in the nation as far as major awards are concerned. Banks and Amerson are neck-and-neck for the lead. This week, Mississippi State has Texas A&M. Banks can make or break his campaign against Johnny Manziel.

Predicted Jim Thorpe Award winner: Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Dick Butkus Award

Award given to: outstanding linebacker.

Previous winner:  2011 Luke Kuechly (Boston College). 

Arthur Brown (Kansas State), Jarvis Jones (Georgia), C.J. Mosley (Alabama) and Manti Te'o (Notre Dame).

While there are a few more names on the semi-finalists list, these are the most vivid linebackers of the season so far. All four of them have been key factors in the successful seasons their teams are enjoying right now.

Manti Te'o and Arthur Brown stick out as players whose absence would result in losses for their teams. C.J. Mosley and Jarvis Jones are surrounded by a little more talent than the others.

Brown has two interceptions, one of which was a pick-six. His 60 total tackles are among the best in the league, and his six tackles for loss are nothing to sneeze at either.

While all that is true, Te'o comes to bat with 80 total tackles and five interceptions. It's just hard to give out a linebacker award to anyone other than him. Again, there is plenty of season left, and both these guys made the semifinals.

Predicted Dick Butkus Award winner: Manti Te'o, Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Bronko Nagurski Award

Award given to: defensive player of the year.

Previous winner: 2011 Luke Kuechly (Boston College). 

Notable players: see Dick Butkus and Jim Thorpe Award slides, plus Sam Montgomery (LSU).

With the Alabama vs. LSU game looming on Saturday, the Notre Dame vs. USC game looming at the end of the year and the Alabama vs. Texas A&M game in between, it's difficult to make a prediction here. There are many deserving players from LSU, Alabama, Notre Dame and many other teams across the nation.

If the Vegas people are right, and Alabama really does beat LSU by roughly 10 points, it will be a result of defensive stops on the part of the Crimson Tide. The same is true for the Irish when they take on USC.

Personally, I think the truth is somewhere in the middle. Alabama beats LSU and Notre Dame beats USC. However, during the Alabama game, Sam Montgomery revives his NFL draft campaign at the expense of Alabama's Eddie Lacy and A.J. McCarron. He's had a bit of a quiet season so far, and that is highly unusual.

Predicted Bronko Nagurski Award winner: Sam Montgomery, LSU Tigers.

It may be a long shot for him to overtake the front-runners, but destroying Alabama's rushing attack, even for half a football game, would earn him that recognition.

Chuck Bednarik Award

Award given to: defensive player of the year.

Previous winner: 2011 Tyrann Mathieu (LSU).

Watch List:

DB Johnthan Banks (Mississippi State)
LB Arthur Brown (Kansas State)
DE Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina)
DB Matt Elam (Florida)
LB Khaseem Greene (Rutgers)
DL Johnathan Hankins (Ohio State)
LB Jarvis Jones (Georgia)
DL Star Lotulelei (Utah)
DB Dee Milliner (Alabama)
LB Sam Montgomery (LSU)
DL Damontre Moore (Texas A&M)
LB C.J. Mosley (Alabama)
DB Jordan Poyer (Oregon State)
DL Will Sutton (Arizona State)
LB Manti Te’o (Notre Dame)
DL Bjoern Werner (Florida State)

This watch list is ridiculously laden with talent. Any one of these kids could easily walk away with more than one award. Jarvis Jones stands out on that list, though. There's no way Georgia would be heading to Atlanta to take on the SEC West Division champion without his play this season.

Predicted Chuck Bednarik Award winner: Jarvis Jones, Georgia Bulldogs.

Rimington Trophy

Award given to: outstanding center.

Previous winner: 2011 David Molk (Michigan).

There are 51 kids on the Rimington watch list. Mario Benavides (Louisville), Braxston Cave (Notre Dame), Dillon Day (Mississippi State), B.J. Finney (Kansas State), Hroniss Grasu (Oregon) and Barrett Jones (Alabama) are among the hottest centers on the list.

You don't see any of those guys getting manhandled at the line of scrimmage. On the rare occasion that someone blows through the line where one of these guys used to be, they're always off sealing the edge for a running back who's long-gone before the blitzer even makes it to the backfield, effectively nullifying a defender.

With an offense as prolific as Oregon's or Kansas State's, the center gets worked out harder than on other teams. When it comes to the center, number of plays per game is a good indication of how good they are and how smart they are. One missed block, and there's simply mayhem on the field.

Kansas State has run 504 plays from scrimmage this year. Oregon has blown that number out of the water with 656 plays in 2012. Oregon's center is among the most underrated players in college football.

Predicted Rimington Trophy winner: Hroniss Grasu, Oregon Ducks.

Vince Lombardi/Rotary Award

Award given to: outstanding lineman.

Previous winner: 2011 Luke Kuechly (Boston College). 

The Lombardi "Seven Blocks of Granite" are: Arthur Brown (Kansas State), Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina), Barrett Jones (Alabama), Jarvis Jones (Georgia), Damontre Moore (Texas A&M), Sam Montgomery (LSU) and Manti Te'o (Notre Dame).

Jadeveon Clowney is quite possibly the most feared name on this list this season, but Manti Te'o certainly belongs right next to him. Clowney is a terror on the defensive side of the ball, and at some point in a football game he will get to your quarterback. (It's only a matter of time.)

Even if you stop him for 52 minutes, he will make the difference and beat your offensive line in the last eight...repeatedly.

Predicted Vince Lombardi/Rotary Award winner: Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina Gamecocks.

Outland Trophy

Award given to: outstanding interior lineman.

Previous winner: 2011 Barrett Jones (Alabama). 

There are 71 players on this watch list, until it's whittled down to semifinalists in the near future. Barrett Jones is the clear frontrunner at this point in time, as he's got one under his belt already from last year, when he was playing at his second position in two years on the offensive line.

This is his third year on 'Bama's offensive line, and he's playing a third position as well. While that may not seem like that big a deal, he's playing center for the first time. Center is not a position most people can just pick up on a whim.

If that's not the very definition of "outstanding," I've got a bad dictionary.

Predicted Outland Trophy winner: Barrett Jones, Alabama Crimson Tide.

John Mackey Award

Award given to: outstanding tight end.

Previous winner: 2011 Dwayne Allen (Clemson).

John Mackey Award "Players of the Week" in 2012: Chris Gragg (Arkansas), Marcus Green (Mississippi State), Zach Ertz (Stanford), Dion Sims (Michigan State), Ryan Otten (San Jose State), Alex Bayer (Bowling Green), Garrett Hoskins (Eastern Michigan) and Gavin Escobar (San Diego State).

If you were counting names, you noticed that was only eight players for nine weeks. (If you weren't, now you know there were only eight players.) That's because one of those players won that title in both Week 2 and Week 7.

Out of all the tight ends on all the lists, he's the one that's going to make a serious impact for his team. He already has helped his team get off to a 7-1 start for the first time in a long time.

His 17 receptions for 191 yards and five touchdowns makes him almost a lock whenever he gets the ball. His presence in the overall offensive scheme is priceless.

Predicted John Mackey Award winner: Marcus Green, Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Fred Biletnikoff Award

Award given to: outstanding wide receiver.

Previous winner: 2011 Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma State).

There are only two players on the watch list that are over 1,000 yards receiving already this season: Terrance Williams (Baylor) and Marqise Lee (USC).

Terrence Williams has amassed 1203 yards and nine touchdowns on only 60 receptions in 2012, while Lee has gained 1129 yards and 10 touchdowns on 76 catches.

The defenses that Baylor has faced are roughly the same as the ones USC has faced. However, as the season progresses, Baylor's schedule will provide much more opportunity for Williams than Lee.

Lee will face Oregon at least once but possibly twice. Williams has Oklahoma, Kansas State, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State left to play.

If he keeps doing what he's been doing (averaging just over 20 yards per catch), even the better defenses won't slow him down enough to lose the lead here.

Predicted Fred Biletnikoff Award winner: Terrance Williams, Baylor Bears.

Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award

Award given to: outstanding senior quarterback.

Previous winner: 2011 Andrew Luck (Stanford).

This watch list is only 10 strong, which makes it seemingly easier to predict, right? Well, here they are:

1) Matt Barkley (USC)

2) Landry Jones (Oklahoma)

3) Collin Klein (Kansas State)

4) E.J. Manuel (Florida State)

5) A.J. McCarron (Alabama)

6) Aaron Murray (Georgia)

7) Denard Robinson (Michigan)

8) Geno Smith (West Virginia)

9) Tyler Tettleton (Ohio)

10) Tyler Wilson (Arkansas)

As far as what you think when you hear "golden arm," this list is rapidly narrowed to A.J. McCarron, Collin Klein and the nonexistent Colby Cameron. Colby Cameron joins A.J. McCarron as the only two quarterbacks not to have thrown an interception since 2011. Cameron has actually thrown more passes without a pick than McCarron, but I digress.

The race is basically between Collin Klein and A.J. McCarron, not because they're undefeated, but because there are zero defenses that have exposed them this season. McCarron may be the clear choice here, but McCarron's skill is overshadowed a bit by the fact that he's got the nation's best offensive line around him plus the nation's best supporting cast.

The good news for McCarron is that he can win this award. He's got the nation's highest passer efficiency rating at 182.4.

Predicted Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner: A.J. McCarron, Alabama Crimson Tide.

Davey O'Brien Award

Award given to: national quarterback award.

Previous winner: 2011 Robert Griffin III (Baylor).

This list is shorter than the Unitas list, but it's still got all the heavy hitters, plus a couple of surprises that please anyone hoping for someone other than the Heisman winner to get this award.

The top three on this list are Collin Klein, A.J. McCarron and Colby Cameron. (Johnny Manziel is definitely worth watching, but he will have a much better set of stats at the end of the next two seasons.)

Colby Cameron currently holds and is actively setting the NCAA record for consecutive pass attempts without an interception. The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs are one field goal away from being undefeated right now. (They lost to Texas A&M 59-57.)

Collin Klein's definitely got a real shot at this one, but not if Cameron's streak survives through early December.

Predicted Davey O'Brien Award winner: Colby Cameron, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.

Doak Walker Award

Award: national running back award.

Previous winner: 2011 Trent Richardson (Alabama). 

This race isn't even really close. Eddie Lacy is on the list, but there's an Alabama running back that's doing even better than he is: T.J. Yeldon. When you're not statistically even the best running back on your team, you lose the clout for an award like this.

Oregon has two running backs that could split this award, but only one is on the watch list. That's Kenjon Barner. Kenjon Barner (Oregon) and Giovani Bernard (North Carolina) are the only two tailbacks on the watch list that also appear on the Heisman watch list.

That narrows it down quickly for this prediction. Barner's 974 yards and 14 touchdowns on 114 carries all speak for themselves.

Predicted Doak Walker Award winner: Kanjon Barner, Oregon Ducks.

The Home Depot Award

Award given to: coach of the year.

Previous winner: 2011 Les Miles, head coach (LSU).

This one comes down to these three coaches:

1) Will Muschamp (Florida).

2) Brian Kelly (Notre Dame).

3) Bill O'Brien (Penn State).

Will Muschamp has done more with the skeleton that was Florida football than anyone expected of him. If this had happened last year, he would have walked away with this award hands-down.

Brian Kelly didn't even have a skeleton to work with at Notre Dame when he got there. Almost everything you are seeing at Notre Dame is the direct result of the head coach and the defensive coordinator. If this had happened in any other year, Notre Dame's return to glory would have trumped anything anyone else could have done. (Except maybe winning a national championship coaching the Idaho Vandals.)

Unfortunately, it's 2012. The end of last season stretched into the offseason as one of the darkest hours in college football history. Penn State's ordeal took its toll on the university in the form of the worst sanctions ever levied by the NCAA.

Whether you agree with Penn State's ability to even field a football team is not the question here. The question is, "Does Bill O'Brien deserve this award?"

Penn State lost 13 players to unhindered transfer following the sanctioning. Penn State started the season 0-2, and the Lions looked lost and helpless. It wasn't "moving on" at all. Until Week 3, when the Lions beat Navy. Penn State reeled off a total of five straight wins before taking its third loss of the season at the hands of undefeated Ohio State.

Never have I seen a team win so much with nothing but heart, not even in Rudy. Penn State lost the majority of its talent to teams like USC (Silas Redd). This team was picked apart by opportunistic coaches who had holes to fill and were allowed to do so without even using a "real" scholarship.

Bill O'Brien has won more games with less talent than anyone else this season. If he can continue this path, heaven help the Big Ten when the sanctions are lifted.

Predicted Home Depot Award winner: Bill O'Brien, Penn State Nittany Lions.

Walter Camp Award

Award: player of the year award.

Previous winner: 2011 Andrew Luck (Stanford).

Charles Woodson was the last defensive player to win this award, in 1997. Since then it's been given to running backs, wide receivers and quarterbacks exclusively.

We have discussed the best quarterbacks in the nation already, and there's only one left without an award. His time is now.

Everyone knew that Collin Klein was a good quarterback heading into the 2012 season, and they projected the Wildcats at No. 22 in the Preseason AP Poll. Nobody had a clue that this season was about to happen.

Predicted Walter Camp Award winner: Collin Klein, Kansas State Wildcats.

Maxwell Award

Award given to: outstanding player.

Previous winner: 2011 Andrew Luck (Stanford).

Players of note on the semifinalist list: Collin Klein (Kansas State), A.J. McCarron (Alabama), E.J. Manuel (Florida State), Manti Te'o (Notre Dame), Kenjon Barner (Oregon) and Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M).

As far as outstanding players go, you can't make a better list. (You can make a more complete list, but it would look like the official semifinalist list.)

Klein, McCarron, Manuel, Te'o, Barner and Manziel are all standouts, but two stand out above the rest who have no hope of winning the Heisman this year: Johnny Manziel and E.J. Manuel.

Manziel has torn through an SEC slate with a 6-2 record, only losing to Florida and LSU by a combined eight points. That is far better than anyone expected from a freshman quarterback in his first year in the SEC. With numbers like that, a 9-3 season is now expected of him. (10-2 if he can take down the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, but we'll know more about the Tide after the epic battle this weekend.)

E.J. Manuel is the other standout. Florida State was the preseason No. 7 team, but there was little expectation of the Seminoles' actually performing that well. After Manuel stepped onto the field and made examples of Murray State (FSU won, 69-3) and Savannah State (FSU won 55-0), the question was whether they could do that to "real" football teams.

Florida State responded with a 52-0 beatdown of Wake Forest, who bested the Seminoles by five points in 2011. There were still questions, so the Seminoles took down Clemson by 12. With the lone exception of the NC State Wolfpack, Florida State has made laughing stocks of every ACC team on its schedule. (Miami was a 13-point win, but the Seminoles outscored Miami in Miami 17-7 in the fourth quarter.)

Predicted Maxwell Award winner: E.J. Manuel, Florida State Seminoles.

Heisman Memorial Trophy

Award given to: outstanding player.

Previous winner: 2011 Robert Griffin III (Baylor).

ESPN Heisman Watch top five:

1) Collin Klein, Kansas State QB

2) Manti Te'o, Notre Dame LB

3) Kenjon Barner, Oregon RB

4) A.J. McCarron, Alabama QB

5) Braxton Miller, Ohio State QB

Out of these five players, there are two that have either lost a little credit for what they do or have failed to do what they needed to do to keep themselves high in the rankings: A.J. McCarron and Braxton Miller.

A good portion of McCarron's credit goes to the nation's best offensive line. Braxton Miller has let games get close that shouldn't have been close. Granted, some of that falls on his offensive line and his defense for letting the opponent score, but that's how it is.

Collin Klein, Manti Te'o and Kenjon Barner are on top of the gap between Barner and McCarron.

While preference shouldn't play a part in the Heisman voting, there are two things playing hugely in Te'o's favor:

1) Notre Dame hasn't had a Heisman winner since 1987 (Tim Brown).

2) A defensive player has only won the Heisman once, in 1997 (Charles Woodson).

Again, preference isn't supposed to play into the voting at all, but it certainly has. Mark Ingram earned every bit of his Heisman, but the "Alabama has never had a Heisman winner" media coverage absolutely gave his Heisman ceremony a bit of a "let's throw the old dogs a bone" feel to it. I sincerely hope that I was the only one that felt that way.

The good news for Te'o is that he has earned his Heisman candidacy, and people are at least subconsciously looking to give him one. For the second time in four years (2009, Ingram), the most deserving candidate is actually going to win the Heisman due to bias.

Without Te'o, Notre Dame has at least two losses right now. If that's not Heisman material, I don't know what is.

Advice to Te'o: Next time you get an interception, make sure you "do the Heisman" as you stiff-arm the first would-be tackler. Get that on camera, man. If he works the official pose into an actual game-time situation, he's got to woo some voters, right?

If defense wins championships, why don't more defensive players win the Heisman?

Predicted Heisman Memorial Trophy winner: Manti Te'o, Notre Dame Fighting Irish.