Every BCS Conference Team's MVP of the 2013 Season
As college football turns the page on yet another exciting season, it's time to name the MVP of each BCS conference school.
Of course, it's easy to name guys such as Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston and Auburn running back Tre Mason as the MVPs of their respective teams, but there are other guys from schools that didn't necessarily have great success who deserve to be recognized.
With that, check out B/R's 2013-14 MVP of every school in a BCS conference.
AAC
1 of 6
UCF: QB Blake Bortles
2013-14 Stats: 3,581 passing yards, 25 TDs, 9 INTs, 163.4 QB rating
Blake Bortles will likely be one of the first three quarterbacks taken in this year's NFL draft following a terrific season for the Knights. He was a chiseled leader who led UCF to a conference title and a Fiesta Bowl victory, in which he was named the game's MVP.
Cincinnatti: DL Silverberry Mouhon
2013-14 Stats: 41 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
UConn: LB Yawin Smallwood
2013-14 Stats: 118 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 1 INT, 2 forced fumbles
Houston: WR Deontay Greenberry
2013-14 Stats: 82 catches, 1,202 receiving yards, 11 TDs
Greenberry was undoubtedly the best receiver in the AAC's debut season. He led the league in receiving yards and also had five games of 100 or more yards receiving. His best game came against Rutgers, when he hauled in three touchdown grabs and recorded 168 yards receiving.
Louisville: QB Teddy Bridgewater
2013-14 Stats: 3,970 passing yards, 31 total TDs, 4 INTs, 171.1 QB rating
Projected as a contender for the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, Bridgewater had another fabulous season in his junior year at Louisville. He helped lead the Cardinals to a 13-1 overall record and a 36-9 win over Miami in the Russell Athletic Bowl. The biggest question for Louisville heading into next season will be how to replace Bridgewater, who is arguably the program's greatest quarterback ever.
Memphis: DB Bobby McCain
2013-14 Stats: 6 INTs, 108 INT yards, 2 fumble recoveries, 25 tackles
Although the Memphis Tigers struggled in 2013, Bobby McCain was a shining light for the team. He led the conference in interceptions and interception yards and proved to be valuable defender in the secondary.
Rutgers: LB Steve Longa
2013-14 Stats: 123 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
South Florida: DE Aaron Lynch
2013-14 Stats: 30 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 1 fumble recovery
SMU: WR Jeremy Johnson
2013-14 Stats: 112 catches, 1,112 receiving yards, 6 TDs
Temple: LB Tyler Matakevich
2013-14 Stats: 137 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 INT
ACC
2 of 6
Boston College: RB Andre Williams
2013-14 Stats: 2,177 rushing yards, 6.1 yards per carry, 18 TDs
Andre Williams lit the gridiron on fire on a weekly basis, as he was the only running back in college football to break the 2,000-yard mark this year. Williams was a Heisman finalist who many thought deserved the award after his impressive season, which included nine games of 100 or more rushing yards, five of 200 or more and one game of 339.
Clemson: QB Tajh Boyd
2013-14 Stats: 3,851 passing yards, 34 total TDs, 11 INTs, 168.7 QB rating
Boyd had another superstar year in 2013 for the Clemson Tigers. He won 11 games in his last season with the Tigers, including an Orange Bowl victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes. Boyd's best game came in Week 1, when he had five total touchdowns in a win over Georgia.
Duke: WR Jamison Crowder
2013-14 Stats: 108 catches, 1,360 receiving yards, 9 total TDs
Crowder proved to be the most valuable weapon during Duke's renaissance year in 2013. He had seven games of more than 100 yards receiving. His best outing was in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Texas A&M, where he had one touchdown and 163 yards receiving in what was one of the best bowl games of the year.
Florida State: QB Jameis Winston
2013-14 Stats: 4,057 passing yards, 40 total TDs, 10 INTs, 184.8 QB rating
You can't argue with a Heisman Trophy winner here. Winston became the second freshman in as many years to take home one of the most coveted trophies in all of sports this season, as he led the Florida State Seminoles to a national title. What's even better? He'll be back next season.
Georgia Tech: DE Jeremiah Attaochu
2013-14 Stats: 45 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
Maryland: LB Marcus Whitfield
2013-14 Stats: 52 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
Miami: QB Stephen Morris
2013-14 Stats: 3,028 passing yards, 21 TDs, 12 INTs, 144.7 QB rating
In his senior year with the Hurricanes, Morris continued trending upward with another great season. Behind his play, the Hurricanes started the season 7-0 and finished with nine wins overall. Even the Hurricanes' losses often were not the doing of Morris. In two of his four losses, he had at least two touchdowns and more than 300 yards passing.
North Carolina: S Tre Boston
2013-14 Stats: 94 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 5 INTs
NC State: LB Robert Caldwell
2013-14 Stats: 105 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble
Pittsburgh: WR Tyler Boyd
2013-14 Stats: 85 catches, 1,174 yards, 8 total TDs
Despite being just a freshman, Tyler Boyd was one of the most lethal receivers in the ACC. He had five games of more than 100 yards receiving and four more of at least 80. His best game was his last of the year in the Panthers' win over Bowling Green in the Little Caesar's Bowl. There, he had 173 yards receiving on eight receptions.
Syracuse: DT Jay Bromley
2013-14 Stats: 41 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 3 forced fumbles
Virginia: S Anthony Harris
2013-14 Stats: 80 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 8 INTs
Virginia Tech: CB Kendall Fuller
2013-14 Stats: 58 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, 6 INTs, 11 pass breakups
Wake Forest: DL Nikita Whitlock
2013-14 Stats: 82 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 kicks/punts blocked
Big 12
3 of 6
Baylor: QB Bryce Petty
2013-14 Stats: 4,200 yards passing, 32 TDs, 3 INTs, 174.3 QB rating
Bryce Petty made a legitimate case for having the best season as a quarterback in Baylor history this season. That's particularly impressive considering Robert Griffin III won the Heisman just a few seasons ago. Petty was the heart and soul of the Bears, who won their first Big 12 title and appeared in the team's first ever BCS bowl, in 2013.
Iowa State: LB Jeremiah George
2013-14 Stats: 133 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 2 INTs, 3 forced fumbles
Kansas: RB James Sims
2013-14 Stats: 1,110 yards rushing, 7 TDs, 4.8 yards per carry
Kansas State: WR Tyler Lockett
2013-14 Stats: 81 catches, 1,262 yards receiving, 11 TDs
Although Kansas State had a disappointing year coming off the 2012 Big 12 title and won just eight games, Tyler Lockett continued to burn defenses throughout 2013. Despite missing almost two full games to injury, Lockett still racked up more than 1,200 yards receiving and had seven games of more than 100 yards catching and two of more than 200.
Oklahoma: RB Brennan Clay
2013-14 Stats: 957 yards rushing, 6 TDs, 5.5 yards per carry
Despite quarterback controversies, the offense for the Sooners still found plenty of success in 2013. The unit's backbone, led by Brennan Clay, was its rushing attack. Clay's best game came on the road against Kansas State, where he racked up 200 yards and two touchdowns.
Oklahoma State: DB Justin Gilbert
2013-14 Stats: 42 tackles, 7 INTs (2 TDs), 1 kick return TD
While Mike Gundy and Co. are widely known for a fast-paced offense, no player in Stillwater was more electric than defensive back Justin Gilbert. Not only was he a huge threat on defense where he had seven picks and found paydirt twice, but he also was one of the conference's best kick returners.
TCU: S Sam Carter
2013-14 Stats: 49 tackles, 7.9 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 5 INTs (1 TD)
Texas: DE Jackson Jeffcoat
2013-14 Stats: 82 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, 1 INT, 2 forced fumbles
While Texas' defense wasn't great this season, it certainly wasn't because of Jackson Jeffcoat. The best defensive end in the Big 12 had a great senior season, particularly toward the end. In Texas' final three games against Texas Tech, Baylor and Oregon, Jeffcoat registered a combined 24 tackles and six sacks.
Texas Tech: TE Jace Amaro
2013-14 Stats: 106 catches, 1,352 receiving yards, 7 TDs
There is almost no doubt as to who the best tight end in college football was this year, and that was Texas Tech's Jace Amaro. He led the Big 12 in receiving yards and quickly became new head coach Kliff Kingsbury's favorite target for his quarterbacks.
West Virginia: RB Charles Sims
2013-14 Stats: 1,095 yards rushing, 14 total TDs, 5.3 yards per carry
Big Ten
4 of 6
Illinois: QB Nathan Scheelhaase
2013-14 Stats: 3,272 passing yards, 21 TDs, 13 INTs, 140.7 QB rating
Indiana: QB Nate Sudfeld
2013-14 Stats: 2,523 passing yards, 21 TDs, 9 INTs, 142.0 QB rating
Iowa: LB James Morris
2013-14 Stats: 106 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 4 INTs
Michigan: WR Jeremy Gallon
2013-14 Stats: 89 catches, 1,373 receiving yards, 9 TDs
Even with Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner struggling with consistency all season long, Gallon proved to be a reliable threat in the passing game all year for the Wolverines. He recorded four games of at least 100 receiving yards, including a 369-yard showing against Indiana.
Michigan State: RB Jeremy Langford
2013-14 Stats: 1,422 rushing yards, 19 total TDs, 4.9 yards per carry
Langford was the backbone to Michigan State's run to a Big Ten title and a victory in the Rose Bowl. He was particularly key down the stretch, finishing the regular season with eight straight games of more than 100 yards rushing and ran for 84 yards in the Rose Bowl. His best game was against Nebraska, where he racked up 151 yards and three scores.
Minnesota: RB David Cobb
2013-14 Stats: 1,202 rushing yards, 7 TDs, 5.1 yards per carry
Nebraska: RB Ameer Abdullah
2013-14 Stats: 1,690 rushing yards, 11 total TDs, 6.0 yards per carry
The Cornhuskers' best weapon this season was far and away running back Ameer Abdullah. In Nebraska's 13 contests, Abdullah racked up 11 games of 100 or more rushing yards. His best game came against Illinois, where he registered two scores and 225 yards.
Northwestern: DL Tyler Scott
2013-14 Stats: 47 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 2 INTs
Ohio State: QB Braxton Miller
2013-14 Stats: 2,094 passing yards, 1,068 rushing yards, 36 total TDs, 7 INTs, 158.1 QB rating
Miller may not have lived up to the Heisman hype he received at the beginning of the season, but at the end of the day, he had his best season at Ohio State yet and is poised to do even bigger things in 2014. After missing two games early in the season, Miller rebounded and led the Buckeyes all the way to the Big Ten title game.
Penn State: WR Allen Robinson
2013-14 Stats: 97 catches, 1,432 receiving yards, 6 TDs
Purdue: CB Ricardo Allen
2013-14 Stats: 53 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 6 INTs, 1 forced fumble
Wisconsin: RB Melvin Gordon
2013-14 Stats: 1,609 rushing yards, 12 TDs, 7.8 yards per carry
Wisconsin was one of the most dangerous rushing teams in the entire nation this season, and much of it had to do with running back Melvin Gordon. One of the best backs in the country, Gordon averaged 123 yards per game and scored two or more touchdowns in a game three times.
Pac-12
5 of 6
Arizona: RB Ka'Deem Carey
2013-14 Stats: 1,885 rushing yards, 19 total TDs, 5.4 yards per carry
There's an argument to be made that, while Andre Williams of Boston College rushed for the most yards in the country, that in fact Ka'Deem Carey was the best back in the country. He rushed for at least 100 yards in every game he played, something Williams didn't do. He also performed better against the best competition, which was made apparent in his 206-yard, four touchdown showing in Arizona's upset of Oregon.
Arizona State: QB Taylor Kelly
2013-14 Stats: 3,635 passing yards, 37 total TDs, 12 INTs, 139.6 QB rating
Arizona State's terrific season is thanks largely in part to the play of its quarterback, Taylor Kelly. The junior gunslinger was consistent all year, having only one game with a negative touchdown-to-interception ratio. His best game? A win over USC that saw Kelly rack up 351 yards and three scores through the air.
California: QB Jared Goff
2013-14 Stats: 3,508 passing yards, 19 total TDs, 10 INTs, 123.2 QB rating
Colorado: WR Paul Richardson
2013-14 Stats: 83 catches, 1,343 receiving yards, 10 TDs
Oregon: QB Marcus Mariota
2013-14 Stats: 3,665 passing yards, 715 rushing yards, 40 total TDs, 4 INTs, 167.7 QB rating
At one point midway through the season, many thought that the Heisman Trophy was Mariota's to lose. Well, losses to Stanford and Arizona ended Mariota's bid for that honor, but he still had a terrific season in Eugene despite being just a sophomore under a new head coach. His best showing came against Washington, where he racked up 366 passing yards, 88 yards on the ground and four total touchdowns.
Oregon State: QB Sean Mannion
2013-14 Stats: 4,662 passing yards, 37 TDs, 15 INTs, 146.5 QB rating
Stanford: RB Tyler Gaffney
2013-14 Stats: 1,709 rushing yards, 22 total TDs, 5.2 yards per carry
One of the best running backs in the country this year, Gaffney was Stanford's best player in 2013. He had a knack for showing up big in marquee games, rushing for over 130 yards against UCLA, Oregon, USC, Notre Dame and Arizona State.
UCLA: LB Anthony Barr
2013-14 Stats: 66 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 6 forced fumbles
There arguably wasn't a bigger force at linebacker in the entire nation than UCLA's Anthony Barr. His best game came against Nebraska, where he recorded 11 stops. Barr is now projected as a top pick in this year's NFL draft, where CBS Sports ranks him as the best linebacker available.
USC: LB Devon Kennard
2013-14 Stats: 60 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, 4 pass breakups
A projected fifth- to sixth-round pick in the NFL draft this spring, Kennard was a consistent force for the Trojans this season. Kennard had just one game with fewer than three tackles, but he had seven games with at least five stops.
Utah: DE Trevor Reilly
2013-14 Stats: 100 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 1 INT
Washington: RB Bishop Sankey
2013-14 Stats: 1,870 rushing yards, 21 total TDs, 5.7 yards per carry
In a conference loaded with great running backs, Washington's Sankey certainly stood out from the pack. Only once was he held to fewer than 70 yards in a game, but he rushed for 200 or more yards three times in 2013. Against Cal, he racked up 241 yards and two scores.
Washington State: S Deone Bucannon
2013-14 Stats: 114 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 6 INTs
SEC
6 of 6
Alabama: QB A.J. McCarron
2013-14 Stats: 3,063 passing yards, 28 TDs, 7 INTs, 167.2 QB rating
After spending three years as Alabama's starting quarterback, McCarron finally earned the honor of being a Heisman Trophy finalist this season as he made the trip to NYC. McCarron certainly deserved the recognition, as he has two national titles to his credit. This year was another great one for him, as he had five games with three or more touchdown passes and led the Crimson Tide to the Sugar Bowl.
Arkansas: DE Chris Smith
2013-14 Stats: 36 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks
Auburn: RB Tre Mason
2013-14 Stats: 1,816 rushing yards, 24 total TDs, 5.7 yards per carry
A Heisman Trophy finalist, Mason was Auburn's most valuable weapon en route to their national championship appearance. Against Alabama and Missouri in the Iron Bowl and SEC Championship, Mason racked up 164 yards and 304 yards, respectively. He also had 195 yards in the BCS National Championship, a loss to Florida State.
Florida: DL Dante Fowler, Jr.
2013-14 Stats: 50 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks
Georgia: QB Aaron Murray
2013-14 Stats: 3,075 passing yards, 33 total TDs, 9 INTs, 158.8 QB rating
Aaron Murray is leaving Georgia as the most statistically decorated passer in SEC history. He leads the conference in career passing yards, passing touchdowns and total yards. 2013 was another great year for Murray, as he threw for three or more touchdowns in a game six times. That includes the game against Kentucky, where he tore his ACL in the first half but still played through 13 snaps and threw another touchdown.
Kentucky: DE Alvin Dupree
2013-14 Stats: 61 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
LSU: QB Zach Mettenberger
2013-14 Stats: 3,082 passing yards, 22 TDs, 8 INTs, 171.4 QB rating
In his senior year at LSU, Mettenberger put up his best numbers of his career as the Tigers' gunslinger. In only one game did he have more interceptions than touchdown passes. He averaged 237 yards per game through the air and never had a QB rating lower than 114 in a game.
Ole Miss: DB Cody Prewitt
2013-14 Stats: 71 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 6 INTs, 2 forced fumbles
Mississippi State: DB Nickoe Whitley
2013-14 Stats: 55 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 5 INTs, 2 forced fumbles
Missouri: RB Henry Josey
2013-14 Stats: 1,166 rushing yards, 17 total TDs, 6.7 yards per carry
There was a time when Henry Josey and those at Missouri thought he would never play football again after a devastating leg injury. Well, Josey came back with a bang in 2013 and proved to be the most valuable player for the resurgent Tigers, who ended up appearing in the SEC Championship. Josey averaged nearly 90 yards per game, with his best showing coming against Florida, where he racked up 136 yards and a score.
South Carolina: QB Connor Shaw
2013-14 Stats: 2,447 passing yards, 558 rushing yards, 30 total TDs, 1 INT, 162.9 QB rating
Connor Shaw put all the critics to bed in 2013, proving that he truly was the better quarterback compared to Dylan Thompson of the Gamecocks. Shaw threw just one interception all year and was instrumental in South Carolina's comeback, overtime win over Missouri. His best game was in the Capital One Bowl, where he registered 359 total yards and four total touchdowns.
Tennessee: RB Rajion Neal
2013-14 Stats: 1,124 rushing yards, 12 TDs, 5.2 yards per carry
Texas A&M: QB Johnny Manziel
2013-14 Stats: 4,114 passing yards, 759 rushing yards, 46 total TDs, 13 INTs, 172.9 QB rating
Johnny Football followed up his Heisman Trophy winning season with another great year in 2013. He earned the honor of being a Heisman finalist yet again while being one of the most electrifying players in all of college football. His best game came against Duke in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, where he racked up 455 total yards and five total touchdowns in a comeback win over the Blue Devils.
Vanderbilt: WR Jordan Matthews
2013-14 Stats: 112 catches, 1,477 receiving yards, 7 TDs
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