College Football 2011: Predicting Award Winners for Coming Season
Handing Out the Hardware: Predicting the Award Winners for the 2011-2012 College Football Season
College football has a long list of prestigious awards that are handed out after every season.
As we look forward toward the 2011-12 college football season, the potential winners for each award are anyone's best guess.
In this article, we'll look at the early front runners for each major college football award next season.
Home Depot Award (Best Coach): Les Miles, LSU
1 of 16
Previous Winner
Gene Chzik, Auburn
Why He'll Win It
He definitely has a crazy side to him, but Miles also has a really talented football team coming back for next season.
If a few breaks go his way again this year, LSU could be a big-time contender to play for the National Championship.
Other Contenders
Chip Kelly, Oregon; Jimbo Fisher, Florida State; Bob Stoops, Oklahoma
Davey O'Brien Award (Best QB): Andrew Luck, Stanford
2 of 16
Previous Winner
Cameron Newton, Auburn
Why He'll Win It
This is an award that can be won without being the best quarterback in the nation, but the greatness of Luck should be able to overrule any kind of crazy stats that a spread quarterback puts up.
It's likely that only an injury could keep Luck from winning this one.
Other Contenders
Landry Jones, Oklahoma; Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State; Kellen Moore, Boise State
Doak Walker Award (Best RB): LaMichael James, Oregon
3 of 16
Previous winner
James
Why He'll Win It
It's hard to identify a running back who's going to challenge James.
He's going to see a lot of touches in Oregon's high-octane offense, and there's no reason why James can't replicate his numbers from 2010 (1,731 yards, 21 TDs).
Other Contenders
Trent Richardson, Alabama; Ronnie Hillman, San Diego State; Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina
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Fred Biletnikoff Award (Best WR): Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
4 of 16
Previous winner
Blackmon
Why he'll win it
I think South Carolina's Alshon Jeffrey will ultimately be the best receiver overall for 2011, but Blackmon is going to put up silly numbers again in Stillwater.
With quarterback Brandon Weeden again running the offense, Blackmon should be able to match his 2010 numbers (1,665 yards, 18 TD's).
Other contenders
Jeffrey, South Carolina; Juron Criner, Arizona; Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma
John Mackey Award (Best TE): Michael Egnew, Missouri
5 of 16
Previous Winner
D.J. Williams, Arkansas
Why He'll Win It
I doubt that the season will go by without another player emerging at tight end, but Agnew is the best of a weak returning class. His 83 catches led tight ends in 2010, and he'll remain a top target in Missouri's spread offense.
Other Contenders
Ladarius Green, UL-Lafeyette; Orson Charles, Georgia; Coby Fleener, Stanford
Outland Trophy (Best Interior Lineman): Matt Kalil, USC
6 of 16
Previous Winner
Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin
Why He'll Win It
This is an interesting award because players on both the offensive and defensive lines are candidates.
Kalil will enter the year as one of the top tackle prospects, and remember—Tyron Smith (No. 9 overall pick) played on the right side because of the presence of Kaili. He's the real deal.
Other Contenders
Jared Crick, Nebraska; Jerel Worthy, Michigan State; Jonathan Martin, Stanford
Rimington Trophy (Best C): Mike Brewster, Ohio State
7 of 16
Previous Winner
Jake Kirkpatrick, TCU
Why He'll Win It
Brewster has the experience and mean streak to be the best center in college football. It helps that he plays at a school with a pedigree for producing solid interior linemen.
Other Contenders
David Molk, Michigan; Peter Konz, Wisconsin; Ben Jones, Georgia
Lombardi Award (Outstanding Defensive Lineman): Jerel Worthy, Michigan State
8 of 16
Previous Winner
Nick Fairley, Auburn
Why He'll Win It
The amount of defensive line talent in college football over the past two season has been ridiculous, and Worthy is primed to become the next big name.
He might not dominate like Ndamakung Suh, but Worthy is going to be a feared player in the middle of Michigan State's defensive line.
Other Contenders
Quinton Coples, UNC; Crick, Nebraska; Marcus Forston, Miami
Bednarik Award (Defensive POY): Quinton Coples, UNC
9 of 16
Previous Winner
Patrick Peterson, LSU
Why He'll Win It
A defensive end hasn't won this award since 2004, but Coples has the kind of potential to change that.
If he can improve his sack totals from 10 in 2010 to somewhere around 15-17, this is Coples' award to lose.
Other Contenders
Manti Te'o, Notre Dame; Cliff Harris, Oregon; Tank Carder, TCU
Dick Butkus Award (Best LB): Lavonte David, Nebraska
10 of 16
Previous Winner
Von Miller, Texas A&M
Why He'll Win It
David had 153 tackles in 2010, and his Nebraska defense is headed to the run-heavy Big Ten.
That should mean even more opportunities to be around the ball for David. If he can keep his sack totals (six in 2010) up, David would be a tough guy to turn down.
Other Contenders
Luke Kuechly, Boston College; Carder, TCU; Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
Jim Thorpe Award (Best DB): Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech
11 of 16
Previous Winner
Patrick Peterson, LSU
Why He'll Win It
With Janoris Jenkins out of the picture, this should be a wide open race.
Still, no defensive player got his hands on more footballs than Hosley in 2010, and his nine interceptions led the nation.
Other Contenders
Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska; Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina; Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama
Lou Groza (Best K): Blair Walsh, Georgia
12 of 16
Previous Winner
Dan Bailey, Oklahoma State
Why He'll Win It
There's simply no kicker in the nation as talented overall as Walsh.
He's got a big leg (2/2 on 50+ yard field goals in 2010), and he's accurate too (20/23 overall).
Other Contenders
Philip Welsh, Wisconsin; Derek Dimke, Illinois; Justin Tucker, Texas
Ray Guy Award (Best P): Quinn Sharp, Oklahoma State
13 of 16
Previous Winner
Chas Henry, Florida
Why He'll Win It
In his sophomore season, Sharp posted the second best punting average (46.2 yards) in the nation.
He's got a big leg and could be a future NFL punter.
Other Contenders
Tyler Campbell, Ole Miss; Bryan Anger, Cal; Drew Butler, Georgia
Maxwell Award (Outstanding Player): QB Landry Jones, Oklahoma
14 of 16
Previous Winner
Cameron Newton, Auburn
Why He'll Win It
The Maxwell hasn't been won by a non-QB since 2002, and Jones might put up the best numbers of any quarterback next season.
The Sooners will be a top five team come the end of season as well, helping his cause to be the nation's most outstanding player.
Other Contenders
Luck, Stanford; Moore, Boise State; Darron Thomas, Oregon
Walter Camp Award (Outstanding Player): Lamichael James, Oregon
15 of 16
Previous Winner
Cameron Newton, Auburn
Why He'll Win It
Unlike the Maxwell, the Walter Camp is a little more forgiving to positions other than quarterback.
James is going to have another monster season in Eugene, and he'll be rewarded with this award. For a guy who missed out on the big awards last year, he deserves it.
Other Contenders
Jones, Oklahoma; Denard Robinson, Michigan; Moore, Boise State
Heisman Memorial Trophy: QB Andrew Luck, Stanford
16 of 16
Previous Winner
Cameron Newton, Auburn
Why He'll Win It
The Heisman Trophy is a prestigious award because it does more than just look at the numbers.
Luck fits what the trophy is all about. He's going to put up good numbers, but he'll also be the best overall player at the most important position.
As long as Stanford wins games in 2011, the Heisman Trophy is going to Luck.
Other Contenders
James, Oregon; Jones; Oklahoma; Moore; Boise State
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