College Football 2011: Predicting the Award Winners for Each FBS Conference
Big Man on Campus: Predicting the Player of the Year for Each Major Conference in College Football for the 2011 Season
After every college football season, each conference votes on the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year.
While certainly not an exact science, leading candidates usually have a combination of big numbers and overall team success.
With that in mind, here are the front-runners for Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year for every conference from the ACC to the WAC.
ACC
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Offensive Player of the Year: RB David Wilson, Virginia Tech
If you don't know his name right now, you soon will. Wilson is an electric playmaker who was buried behind talented backs Ryan Williams and Darren Evans at Virginia Tech.
In 2011, it's his backfield to have. He'll put up big-time numbers for a team that will compete for the ACC title.
Defensive Player of the Year: DE Brandon Jenkins, Florida State
This was one of the harder selections. The ACC is packed full of talented defenders, including Luke Kuechly (BC), Quinton Coples (UNC) and Marcus Forston (Miami).
In the end, however, Jenkins could be the top performer. He had 13.5 sacks in 2010, and the Florida State defense should be among the best in the conference.
Big East
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Offensive Player of the Year: QB Geno Smith, West Virginia
The Mountaineers will go as far as Smith will take them, and that could mean a return trip to a BCS game.
Smith has the arm to put up big passing numbers, and new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen should give Smith every opportunity to be among the nation's most productive players.
Defensive Player of the Year: DE Brandon Lindsey, Pitt
Lindsey was often overlooked by 2011 draft picks Greg Romeus and Jabaal Sheard, but that won't be the case next season.
He led the Big East in tackles for loss last season with 18, and his 10 sacks are a number he can likely improve on in 2011.
Big 10
3 of 11
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Denard Robinson, Michigan
I'm not sold on Michigan being a big player in the Big 10 next season, but Robinson will continue to put up huge numbers.
And while his 4,200-plus offensive yards and 32 total touchdowns might be hard to replicate, there's no stopping this guy when he's on the field. If he stays healthy, this should be his award.
Defensive Player of the Year: LB Lavonte David, Nebraska
David set Nebraska's single-season record for tackles last season with 152, and that was in the pass-heavy Big 12. He also recorded six sacks and 15 tackles for loss.
With the Huskers now in the Big Ten, those numbers might even increase. David will also lead a defense that should be hands down the best in the conference.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Big 12
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Offensive Player of the Year: QB Landy Jones, Oklahoma
There are plenty of names worthy of this title, including Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon, Texas A&M's Jeff Fuller and Cyrus Gray and Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles.
In the end, however, Jones is going to put up the wins and numbers necessary to win it. Oklahoma is a preseason national title contender.
Defensive Player of the Year: LB Travis Lewis, Oklahoma
It pains me to go all-Oklahoma for these awards, but Lewis is the best defender in the Big 12.
He's led the Sooners in tackles his first three seasons, and Lewis' 362 career tackles ranks him ninth in Oklahoma history. If they make it to the title game, Lewis will be a big reason why.
Conference USA
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Offensive Player of the Year: QB Case Keenum, Houston
I went back and forth between Keenum and Tulsa's G.J. Kinne for this spot, but Keenum should put up better numbers in 2011 through the air.
When it comes down to it, however, this award will likely go to whichever player's team has a better season. Will it be Houston or Tulsa?
Defensive Player of the Year: DE Vinny Curry, Marshall
Curry is the best college defender that no one knows about, and that'll change come draft season next year. He's a first- to second-round talent at this point in the process.
Curry also ranked third in the nation in sacks with 12, and his 18 tackles for loss put him third in the conference. I'd expect Curry to improve on both of those marks in 2011.
MAC
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Offensive Player of the Year: QB Chandler Harnish, NIU
A dual-threat quarterback, Harnish racked up nearly 3,400 yards of total offense in 2010. With running back Chad Spann graduated, the Huskies offense now runs completely through Harnish.
If Northern Illinois can get close to its 11-3 mark from a year ago, no player in the MAC will be able to match Harnish.
Defensive Player of the Year: DE Adrian Robinson, Temple
The 2009 MAC Defensive Player of the Year has to be the front-runner for the award in 2011.
Following an '09 campaign that saw Robinson record 13 sacks and 14 tackles for loss, his numbers dropped to 3.5 and 4.5, respectively, in 2010. Look for the '09 version of Robinson to cause havoc in the MAC in 2011.
Mountain West
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Offensive Player of the Year: QB Kellen Moore, Boise State
Switching to the Mountain West won't slow down Moore's recent run of outstanding play.
Over the past two seasons, Moore has thrown 74 touchdowns against just nine interceptions. He could be a Heisman candidate if Boise completes its schedule without a loss.
Defensive Player of the Year: LB Tank Carder, TCU
The nation got its first big dose of Carder in TCU's win over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl, where he broke up the Badgers two-point conversion attempt and also recorded three tackles for loss and a sack.
As the leader of the conference's best defense, this is Carder's award to lose.
Pac-12
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Offensive Player of the Year: RB LaMichael James, Oregon
It'd be easy to say Andrew Luck will run away with this award, but I'm not sure he's going to put up the kind of numbers necessary. He could win the Heisman, but James is winning this award.
He'll again put up silly numbers in Oregon's high-octane offense, and I like Oregon to win the Pac-12 title as well.
Defensive Player of the Year: LB Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State
There might not be a more violent football player in the nation than Burfict. While that doesn't win anyone awards, it surely gives the Sun Devils defense an enforcer in the middle.
Arizona State's defense will surprise people in 2011, and Burfict will be the impact player you point to. He's a high pick for next year's draft as well.
SEC
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Offensive Player of the Year: RB Trent Richardson, Alabama
Predicting the SEC awards is somewhat of crapshoot with all the talented players on both sides of the ball.
Richardson, however, is the early front-runner. He's going to get a ton of carries, and he has the talent to make the most of them. Richardson could easily match Mark Ingram's 2009 Heisman season (1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns).
Defensive Player of the Year: LB Dont'a Hightower, Alabama
The defensive side of the ball might be even more of a guessing game in terms of Defensive Player of the Year. Alabama has a handful of worthy candidates, including Dre Kirkpatrick, Courtney Upshaw and Mark Barron.
Hightower might be the best of the bunch, however. He's a monster of a linebacker at 6'4" and 260 pounds, and he also displays a pass-rushing ability.
Sun Belt
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Offensive Player of the Year: RB Bobby Rainey, WKU
Rainey might be one of the more underrated running backs in the nation.
He rushed for 1,649 yards and 15 touchdowns—fifth best in college football—but he rarely gets much attention in the Sun Belt Conference.
Defensive Player of the Year: DE Jonathan Massaquoi, Troy
Troy's defense will be the class of the conference, and Massaquoi is the stud of that unit. He recorded 13.5 sacks (third best in the nation) and 17 tackles for losses in 2010.
WAC
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Offensive Player of the Year: QB Bryant Moniz, Hawaii
With Boise State out of the conference and Colin Kaepernick playing football in San Francisco, the best quarterback in the conference is likely Moniz.
If he stays healthy, he's a lock for 4,500-plus yards and 35 or more touchdown passes. Hawaii should compete for the conference title as well.
Defensive Player of the Year: DE Matt Broha, Louisiana Tech
A second-team All-WAC performer a year ago, Broha is ready to take the next step in 2011.
He should improve on his nine sacks and 14 tackles for loss, giving him a solid chance to win this award. Logan Harrell from Fresno State also is an early candidate.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
