College Football Awards 2016: Start Time, Date, TV Schedule and More
The most important team trophy won't be handed out until January, but the best players in college football will see their individual accomplishments rewarded Thursday at the 2016 College Football Awards.
While fans have been mostly focusing on their teams or a handful of elite players around the country, this event will be a chance to showcase the best at each position in the sport. Having little overlap from last season makes this even more exciting as the players finally get their chance in the spotlight.
Here is what you need to know for one of the biggest non-game nights of the season.
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College Football Awards
When: Thursday, Dec. 8
Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
| Maxwell Award (College Player of the Year) | Lamar Jackson (Louisville) | Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) | Jabrill Peppers (Michigan) |
| Chuck Bednarik Award (Defensive Player of the Year) | Jonathan Allen (Alabama) | Myles Garrett (Texas A&M) | Jabrill Peppers (Michigan) |
| Davey O'Brien Award (Nation's Best Quarterback) | Lamar Jackson (Louisville) | Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) | DeShaun Watson (Clemson) |
| Doak Walker Award (Nation's Premier Running Back) | Dalvin Cook (Florida State) | D'Onta Foreman (Texas) | Donnel Pumphrey (San Diego State) |
| Biletnikoff Award (Outstanding Receiver) | Austin Carr (Northwestern) | Zay Jones (East Carolina) | Dede Westbrook (Oklahoma) |
| Lou Groza Award (Outstanding Placekicker) | Daniel Carlson (Auburn) | Zane Gonzalez (Arizona State) | Younghoe Koo (Georgia Southern) |
| Ray Guy Award (Punter of the Year) | Michael Dickson (Texas) | Cameron Johnston (Ohio State) | Mitch Wishnowsky (Utah) |
| Outland Trophy (Most Outstanding Interior Lineman) | Pat Elflein (Ohio State) | Cody O'Connell (Washington State) | Cam Robinson (Alabama) |
| Jim Thorpe Award (Nation's Best Defensive Back) | Adoree' Jackson (USC) | Jourdan Lewis (Michigan) | Tre'Davious White (LSU) |
Notable Races
Maxwell Award
While Lamar Jackson seemed destined to win the Heisman in September, Louisville's late-season collapse has brought his candidacy into question. The same will happen with the Maxwell Award, also given to the top player in college football.
The blame often falls squarely on a quarterback when a team loses, especially in back-to-back defeats against Houston and Kentucky.
However, David Hale of ESPN noted Jackson was pretty good even in those losses:
The sophomore also put up numbers that were difficult to even imagine coming into the year, throwing for 3,390 passing yards and 30 touchdowns while adding 1,538 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. His production either as a passer or a runner could make him one of the top players in college football; the fact he put it all together makes him difficult to beat.
Baker Mayfield was an efficient passer all season long, finishing with 38 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. His 197.8 quarterback rating was by far the best in the country, well ahead of second-place Logan Woodside of Toledo at 183.9.
However, he had a lot of help around him in the form of receiver Dede Westbrook, running back Joe Mixon and a strong offensive line. Jackson had to do nearly everything himself while making the Cardinals competitive.
This leaves Jabrill Peppers, the do-it-all player for Michigan. The junior wasn't just the Defensive Player of the Year in the Big Ten, he was also named the conference's Linebacker of the Year and Return Specialist of the Year, per Chip Patterson of CBS Sports.
He also added 167 rushing yards and three touchdowns to showcase his versatility.
Few players have made as much of an impact for an elite team like Peppers did, but without eye-popping numbers on either side of the ball, and Michigan's loss to Ohio State, it might not be enough to win.
Chuck Bednarik Award
The obvious logic is Peppers would be the favorite in the defensive award if he is a nominee for the best in college football. Deshaun Watson will have a tough time winning the Davey O'Brien Award going up against two other quarterbacks nominated for the Maxwell.
On the other hand, Peppers brings a lot more to the table than just his defense. He plays on special teams and offense, making him a valuable weapon in all phases of the game.
When it comes to straight defensive play, however, you can argue other players have made a bigger impact this season.
One of those is Myles Garrett, who could potentially be the top pick in the 2017 NFL draft. Bleacher Report's Ian Wharton praised the defensive lineman:
Jonathan Allen is also a force for Alabama, consistently making plays in the backfield while also freeing up teammates on defense. His play has helped the Crimson Tide go through November without allowing a single touchdown.
None of these players put up big numbers for defensive players but all are among the best in college football when it comes to impacting a game on that side of the ball.
Doak Walker Award
This is a different group of finalists than many were expecting coming into the year.
Stanford's Christian McCaffrey and LSU's Leonard Fournette both entered the season with high expectations but failed to reach them for one reason or another. This provided a chance for other top backs to show what they can do.
D'Onta Foreman and Donnel Pumphrey certainly have the numbers to back up their case, finishing first and second in the nation in rushing yards, respectively, with over 2,000 yards each.
Pumphrey also added 234 receiving yards to showcase his versatility, compared to just 75 from Foreman.
Then again, Dalvin Cook still has a chance to take home the award despite "only" having 1,620 rushing yards. With his 426 receiving yards, he is over 2,000 yards from scrimmage for the year, coming at an impressive 6.9 yards per touch.
"At the end of his career, we'll all sit back and just marvel, in my opinion, of how lucky we were to see him play and be a part of it," Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher said of Cook, per Wayne E. McGahee III of the Tallahassee Democrat.
His highlight-reel plays could create a tough decision for voters in this category.
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