College Football Awards 2020: Start Time, Date, TV Schedule and More
Before Alabama and Ohio State battle it out Monday for the distinction of being college football's best team this season, the sport will take some time to honor its best individual players in this campaign.
The Heisman Trophy may get the most press but the majority of college football's highest honors are announced at the College Football Awards.
Among the prizes being handed out Thursday are the Maxwell Award for the "College Player of the Year," the Chuck Bednarik Award for the top defensive player in the nation, and the Doak Walker Award for the best running back in the country.
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This season certainly had its fair share of monumental moments. Although COVID-19 cut seasons short, that didn't stop the sport's leading lights from putting up big numbers and creating some interesting races for these distinctions this season.
A full list of finalists for all the awards can be found here. Below is all the information you need to catch the awards show and a look at some of the most intriguing storylines to follow.
College Football Awards Show Info
Date: Thursday, January 7
Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
DeVonta Smith Looks to Make History
The Biletnikoff Award for outstanding receiver should be one of the biggest no-brainers on the slate.
Alabama's DeVonta Smith has stated his case in terms that any voter should be able to understand. His 105 receptions, 1,1641 yards and 20 touchdowns led the nation in all three categories.
It is notable that Kyle Pitts became a finalist while technically playing tight end, but there's little comparison when looking at his numbers (43 catches, 770 yards and 12 touchdowns in eight games). Elijah Moore of Ole Miss is the other finalist with 86 catches, 1,193 yards and eight touchdowns in eight games.
In addition to having the best raw receiving numbers in the country, Smith did it as the offensive focal point of college football's top team.
But the Crimson Tide star winning the Biletnikoff isn't the storyline; it's his candidacy for the Maxwell Award that is compelling. A receiver hasn't won the honor since Desmond Howard in 1991. That's also the last time a receiver won the Heisman.
Smith was already named the winner of the Heisman. Not only is he the first in his position to win it since Howard but he's also only the fourth receiver to claim the honor.
The 22-year-old will be up against Mac Jones and Trevor Lawrence for the Maxwell Award as well, and it doesn't always necessarily go to the Heisman winner.
Both prizes went to Joe Burrow in 2019, but in 2018, Tua Tagovailoa won the Maxwell while Kyler Murray took home the Heisman.
The Maxwell has been even more unkind to receivers. Only three have won it in its history, and Howard is the only one to claim both. Smith would be in rare company if he is named the winner.
Zaven Collins, Patrick Surtain II and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah up for Bednarik
The Bednarik Award goes to the top defensive player of the year, and this season's finalists provide an intriguing race.
Zaven Collins would be a rare Group of Five player to win. The Tulsa linebacker was all over the field this season with 11.5 tackles for a loss, four sacks and four interceptions. The Golden Hurricane were seventh in the nation in yards allowed per play anchored by him.
The 21-year-old would be the first player from a G5 program to win since Temple linebacker Tyler Matakevich in 2015. He's currently the only player from outside the Power Five to win it in the last 20 years.
Alabama's Patrick Surtain II winning the award would be notable in its own right. He would be the first pure corner to win the award since Patrick Peterson in 2010. His raw numbers aren't eye-popping. He only had one interception on the season, but he did have 11 passes defended and is PFF's highest-graded cornerback since 2018.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah would be the most traditional winner but a deserving one nonetheless. He's racked up 62 tackles and done a bit of everything for Notre Dame. He has 11 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and an interception while lining up all over the place.
All three have a great case as college football's top defender and make up one of the better races that will be announced on Thursday night.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
