The Most Important Player on Every FBS College Football Team

College football is running along very, very well this 2011 season. We have everything that makes the game great on the field: excellent QB play, great defenses, shocking upsets, Heisman candidates and more.

To continue our aim to stick to on-field discussion, for this read I'm going to give you the most important player on every AQ BCS team, plus the other FBS teams. The players on this list make the team go, and they are the keys to each program's engine.

Let's get started.

Cincinnati: Isaiah Pead, RB

I could have gone with Zach Collaros, but I think the Bearcats' MIP is Pead. He really makes the team go from his RB position, and has rushed for 934 yards and 10 scores. Pead has also chipped in 24 grabs for nearly 200 yards and a pair of scores.

UConn: Lyle McCombs, RB

McCombs gets the nod for the Huskies here. He's approaching 1,000 yards and has 981 to be exact. He's averaging 109 yards per game and has five scores.

McCombs is the MIP for UConn this season.

Louisville: Teddy Bridgewater, QB

This is more of a long-term pick to go along with this specific season. I predicted before he arrived on campus that I thought Bridgewater would play as a true freshman. 

He's appeared in 10 games, and although he has taken his lumps at times, Bridgewater has tossed nine TDs for 1,440 yards and completed 66 percent of his passes.

Pitt: Ray Graham, RB

I know he's injured, but this pick is Graham. He was the key to Pitt's fortune and has been lost to a knee injury. Graham had that dazzling Thursday night performance vs. USF, and ran for 958 yards and nine scores this year.

Honorable mention goes to DE Jabaal Sheard.

Rutgers: Mohamed Sanu, WR

The most important player in Piscataway is a flank player: WR Mohamed Sanu. Rutgers isn't known to have a light-it-up passing attack, but Sanu still has a whopping 94 receptions for 974 yards and seven scores.

Honorable mention goes to Duron Harmon.

USF: B.J. Daniels, QB

I criticized Daniels a little bit during the offseason for his clock management skills.

This year, I believe Daniels has come back as an improved QB in all facets of the game. He's the MIP for the Bulls as a QB leader and Skip Holtz's eyes on the field.

Syracuse: Ryan Nassib, QB

One of my good buddies is a respected college QB coach, and every time I see a QB I like, I ask him to check that QB out.

I really want him to see Ryan Nassib. I think in a West Coast-type of offense, Nassib would have a chance to make some noise in the NFL.

Oh, and he's also the MIP for the Orange this year.

West Virginia: Tavon Austin, WR/RS

I know peeps of Morgantown—I could have went with Geno Smith. You're right.

But it's Austin. The combo of his play at WR plus what he does as a return man is a sight to see and helps the Mountaineers immensely.

Austin has 680 yards on KORs alone, and has taken one for 100 yards this year. Plus his 72 receptions, 972 yards and four scores are all second on the team.

Boston College: Luke Kuechly, LB

I don't even want to get into the tackle numbers for Kuechly, but I do want to add that he has two picks.

This guy is just a warrior. He's special for the Eagles. I urge you to go see him play, because he's productive, instinctive, physical and just heady.

Easy pick for BC.

Clemson: Tajh Boyd, QB

I remember popping in a grainy, hard-to-see tape of a high school QB from the Mid-Atlantic region a few years ago. I evaluated the QB and told myself, "He reminds me a bit of a young Donovan McNabb."

Today, Tajh Boyd is a Heisman candidate and MIP for the Clemson Tigers.

Florida State: Bjoern Werner, DE

This is from fellow B/R member Chris Cornell.

He tells me that when FSU is at its best, it's usually because of their DL play. When their DL is at their best, it's usually because of Werner.

Brandon Jenkins and E.J. Manuel are great, but we're going with Werner.

Maryland: Kenny Tate, DB/LB

Maryland is a 2-8 team, so by record alone, they really don't have a MIP.

However, I'm still going to go with LB/S Kenny Tate. He's a long 6'4", 215-pounder who can play both safety spots and also some OLB.

North Carolina State: David Amerson, CB

I almost fell out of my chair when I saw Amerson has 10 picks this year.

Then when I saw he's a 6'3" cornerback, I was like, "Boom." The sophomore from Greensboro looks like an NFL prospect and should make the All-ACC team.

Wake Forest: Tanner Price, QB

I'm a little shocked to see WF has three players with more than 30 catches, so I'm going with the person responsible for getting Chris Givens, Michael Campanaro and Danny Dembry the ball: QB Tanner Price.

Duke: Sean Renfree, QB

When you're a renowned QB coach and you become a head coach, your QB should be your MIP.

It is for David Cutcliffe, as the nod goes to Sean Renfree. Renfree has completed 65 percent of his passes this year and has nearly 2,500 yards.

Georgia Tech: Tevin Washington, QB

With the offense the Yellow Jackets run, the QB is the guy. He's the distributor in this triple-option offense who just runs the ball down your throat.

So it's no shock that I give the MIP award to QB Tevin Washington, who leads the team in rushing with 713 yards and 13 scores.

Miami: Lamar Miller, RB

I mulled over The Canes. I really did, because Sean Spence is fantastic for the Hurricanes' defense at OLB.

But Miller has been the load for Miami as a RB, and has more than 1,100 yards and eight scores. This was close, but it's Miller.

North Carolina: Multiple Ties

From QB Bryn Renner to RB Gio Bernard, to WR Dwight Jones to LB Zach Brown, to DEs Quinton Coples and Dante Paige-Moss, UNC has a heckuva lot more talent than people think.

I'm too torn between all of these players, so I'm calling a tie.

Virginia: Chase Minnifield, CB

Minnifield has a true freshman starting opposite of him as a CB. So naturally, more times than not, that means he is charged with taking the other team's best pass-catching threat and is asked to shut them down.

Minnifield was a national leader in picks last season and has three this year. He's likely going to be a second-round pick next April.

Virginia Tech: David Wilson, RB

Logan Thomas and Jayron Hosley were considered, but it's Wilson. He's the MIP for the Hokies because he carries the offensive load, evidenced by his 1,360 yards rushing and seven scores.

Wilson is the man for Frank Beamer and is also a solid KOR man.

Michigan State: Kirk Cousins, QB

Coming into this season, I would have thought this would be Edwin Baker, but now, it's Cousins.

Debate on his NFL prospects, but Cousins has been solid this year. He's got a 16:5 TD:INT ratio and has completed about 64 percent of his passes.

Oh, and MSU is 8-2.

Purdue: Kawaan Short, DT

When you win Big Ten Player of the Week from a DT spot, that mean's you're doin' it big.

Well, Short fits the bill, as he has anchored the Boilermakers' defense all year. He's a 6'3", 305-pound DT who will surely play on Sundays.

Iowa: Marvin McNutt, WR

Marcus Coker has nearly 1,200 yards this season, yes. But the MIP for the Hawkeyes is Marvin McNutt, who has given them an outside threat and a dynamic to their offense that Iowa doesn't have year in and year out.

His 65 grabs and nearly 1,100 yards, along with 10 scores for Iowa, are big-time.

Northwestern: Dan Persa, QB

I almost went with Jeremy Ebert, but it's Persa. He's the straw that stirs the drink for NU and that whole offense, and really that whole team. He's only played in seven games this year, but Persa's importance to Pat Fitzgerald is unquestioned. 

Illinois: A.J. Jenkins, WR

When you have 76 receptions and the next-closest player has 23, that clearly shows you're your team's main offensive threat in the passing game. If you don't come to grind each Saturday, the passing game for your team is done.

A.J. Jenkins has 76 grabs for 1,133 yards and seven TDs for Illinois. HM goes to Nathan Scheelhasse.

Indiana: Tre Roberson, QB

Roberson flashes the ability to be a dazzling playmaker. IU fans even say he is a big part of the reason they come to see the Hoosiers play.

With his running and throwing ability in the seven games he's played, Roberson has more than 1,000 all-purpose yards and five total scores.

Minnesota: Da'John McKnight, WR

I've been told the MIP for Minnesota is McKnight, and I agree. He's scooter on the field and is dangerous with the ball in his hands. He has 45 catches for 662 yards and four scores. 

HM goes to QB MarQueis Gray.

Penn State: Devon Still, DL

Big shout to Collin McCollough, B/R's NFL Editor for this one.

According McCollough, Penn State's foundation for being ranked is their defense. Still's play on the inside of the Nittany Lion's front has been remarkable, as he has clogged the run and pushed the pocket versus the pass.

Wisconsin: Russell Wilson, QB

How Wilson came in and quickly learned the Badger offense, then being voted team captain in a matter of weeks is nothing short of amazing. His play this year has warranted some Heisman consideration. 

I admit I was not a huge fan of Wilson coming into this season, but now, I'm a believer and will testify in front of the congregation! He's the MIP for Brett Bielema.

Nebraska: Lavonte David, LB

Yes, Big Red fans, I'm going with David. Sure Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead are high-end players in Lincoln, but David is the best player on the team and most important.

Nebraska Columnist Patrick Runge says David has made crucial plays against Penn State and Ohio State, and without him the Cornhuskers are a 6-4 football team. 

Ohio State: Michael Brewster, C

I know I could have gone with Dan Herron, Braxton Miller, Carlos Hyde and even Jordan Hall, but I think what Nick Mangold is to the Jets, Brewster is to Ohio State.

He's anchored a line that has blocked for two separate QBs and an offense that features four players with nearly 400 or more yards rushing.

Michigan: Denard Robinson, QB

I did give some consideration to Mike Martin and Fitz Toussaint.

But come on, this is Robinson's thing. He's been more than instrumental for Michigan in some of the biggest games of the year.

See the Notre Dame game if you disagree with me. 

Iowa State: Kelechi Osemele, OL

Osemele anchors the offensive front for Paul Rhoades, gives Steele Jantz some time to throw, and finds James White, Jared Barnet and Shontrelle Johnson some holes.

I'm not yet sure if he can play LT in the NFL, but Osemele looks to be a prime RT or OG prospect.

Baylor: Robert Griffin, QB

What Robinson is to Michigan, Griffin is to Baylor. The Bears are 6-3, and for a few weeks, Griffin actually had more TD passes than incompletions! Wowsers. 

I still have some reservations about Griffin NFL-wise, but he should be invited to New York for the Heisman ceremony. He's been that good, and he's that important to Baylor.

Kansas State: Colin Klein, QB

I have no idea how Kansas State has done it, but the Wildcats have a had a great year in 2011. Bill Snyder has Colin Klein to thank for a lot of it, as the QB has been both a 1,000-yard passer and 1,000-yard runner. Klein has 34 total TDs.

Kansas: D.J. Beshears, WR/RS

Beshears has 36 catches for 400 yards and has also been a terror on special teams. He's a great return man and has 44 KORs for almost a 1,000 yards. 

Beshears is the MIP for Turner Gill.

Missouri: James Franklin, QB

It seems the consensus for the Tigers is Franklin. He's the team's QB and has done a solid job in replacing Blaine Gabbert.

Franklin has a 63 percent completion clip, a 16:7 TD:INT ratio and has more than 2,300 yards. He's also ran for 642 yards on the ground and has 11 TDs.

Oklahoma: Landry Jones, QB

Travis Lewis and Ryan Broyles are basically Co-MIPs for OU, but I'm going with Jones. OU runs a spread-type of offense in part because they trust Jones so much. He's the distributor of the football, and I think if they lost him for a game, the entire offense would look differently.

Now the question is, is he coming back next year?

Texas: Fozzy Whittaker, RB

Malcolm Brown is the starter at RB, but Whittaker is the sparkplug for the Longhorns. He's third on the team in rushing, fourth in receiving and second in KORs—the only player on the team in the top five on each of those categories.

Brown is also a big factor in the red zone.

Oklahoma State: Brandon Weeden, QB

For as dominant as Justin Blackmon is, the MIP for OSU is Brandon Weeden. Weeden has been lighting up defenses basically all year, and he's the guy for the Pokes.

I can't stress enough how firmly I believe he's their most important player. They ask Weeden to do so much, and he's just about irreplaceable for Mike Gundy.

Texas A&M: Ryan Tannehill, QB

B/R member Michael Taglienti provided me with a good stat, or factoid, or nugget of info, if you will.

Taglienti says the Aggies are 4-0 when Tannehill does not throw a pick, and 1-5 in games when he does. 

Enough said.

Texas Tech: Seth Doege, QB

I read in the offseason about how hard Doege has worked.

Remember my college QB coaching buddy I mentioned earlier?

He's pretty high on Doege. All Doege has done is complete 68 percent of his passes for 3,329 yards and 24 TDs so far. 

California: Isi Sofele, RB

I'm going with Sofele for Cal. I know Keenan Allen is the star player for the Bears, and his brother, QB Zach Maynard, is in charge of getting him the ball, but their prowess depends on Sofele.

Sofele has 1,029 yards and eight scores through 10 games this season.

Oregon: DeAnthony Thomas, RB/WR/RS

Before this season, I though the MIP for the Ducks was actually Darron Thomas. Then I figured it had to be LaMichael James.

But after seeing what Thomas does for Oregon, it's him.

He opens up so much for the offense and also dazzles as a return man. Playing RB, WR, slot receiver and returning, Thomas has been great this year.

Oregon State: Jordan Poyer, CB

With Oregon State playing in the Pac-12, their defense faces a lot of sophisticated passing attacks. Poyer leads the team with three interceptions this season as a 5'11", 190-pound CB.

Without Poyer's ball skills, chances are Mike Riley's defenses would be shredded on the norm. Poyer's the guy for the Beavers.

Stanford: Andrew Luck, QB

Who else would it be? I mean, seriously.

Sure Stepfan Taylor, Jonathan Martin, Chris Owusu, David DeCastro and Delano Howell are keys, but it's Luck. Hands down.

I'm moving on, because this is probably the most obvious pick so far.

Washington: Chris Polk, RB

Polk sets up Keith Price. He sets up Jermaine Kearse, Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Devin Augilar.

Alameda Ta'amu is the Huskies' top defender, but Polk is their most important player.He's the most complete runner in the Pac-12, and has 1,132 yards and 10 TDs this season.

Washington State: Marquess Wilson, WR

Wazzu is 4-6 this year, and their top player is WR Marquess Wilson. Wilson has 67 grabs for nearly 1,200 yards and nine scores.

At 6'3" and 175 pounds, Wilson is a long and lean receiver with a large catch radius. He's also the Cougars' MIP.

Arizona: Nick Foles, QB

At 6'5" and 245 pounds, Foles looks like a solid late first or early second-round pick next April. He's also the straw that gives 'Zona a chance to compete every Saturday.

Without Foles, the Wildcats' 2-8 record would be even worse. 

Arizona State: Vontaze Burfict, LB

Burfict reminds me a lot of myself when I played football: very nice kid off the field and as intense as possible on the field. Burfict is so intense that it gets the best of him more times than not.

But there's no denying his performance on the field and his importance to ASU's hopes every Saturday. Burfict has shown up this season and had a big game against USC in prime-time.

Colorado: Darragh O'Neil, P

O'Neil is the leading punter in the Pac-12 this season. Through 11 games, he has 64 punts for 2,740 yards and a 42.8 average.

With the Buffs' offense being mediocre most of the time, O'Neil tilts the field the best on the West Coast.

UCLA: Randall Carroll, WR/DB

Right now, UCLA's most important player is Carroll. He's a WR, but he has even played some DB lately because of the lack of depth the Bruins have right now.

Without Carroll being able to play both WR and DB in pinches, UCLA's lack of depth and injuries, and even lack of talent, would be more exposed.

USC: Matt Barkley, QB

Let me start off by saying this: Barkley is the MIP, but the MIP to Barkley has to be Matt Kalil. Without Kalil protecting MB7's blindside, Barkley doesn't put up the numbers he has this year.

But Barkley is the leader of the team, the star and according to Washington coach Steve Sarkisian, the best QB in the country.

Utah: John White, RB

Utah lost Jordan Wynn for the season a few weeks ago to injury. So all White has done is put the load on his back and carried the team for 1,200 yards and 12 TDs.

Oh, the Utes also are bowl-eligible too. Without White, this team would be sputtering nowhere.

Florida: Chris Rainey, RB/WR

Rainey, not John Brantley, is the MIP for the Gators.

Rainey leads the team in rushing and receiving. Period. He's touched the ball 148 times for more than 1,000 total yards to go along with being the team's main punt returner. 

Again, Chris Rainey is the MIP for Florida. Period.

Kentucky: Danny Trevathan, LB

Trevathan is a poor man's Lavonte David. He's a perfect 4-3 WILL LB who can chase and pursue all over the field. Trevathan is a tackling machine, and he is the unquestioned and undisputed MIP for Joker Phillips' team.

Georgia: Aaron Murray, QB

Georgia is Aaron Murray's team.

He's the QB; the leader and the driver of the bus who will take UGA as far as they'll get this season.

Mark Richt describes Murray as a player you build your program around. He has almost 2,300 yards passing this season, to go along with a fabulous 27:8 TD:INT ratio.

South Carolina: Marcus Lattimore, RB

I know Lattimore is hurt, and I wish him a speedy recovery for 2012.

But he still is the MIP for South Carolina. Without him, the offense can't get the ball to Alshon Jeffery, and the defense is asked to make too many plays. The overall play and angle of the Gamecock team has suffered because of Lattimore's absence.

Tennessee: Tyler Bray, QB

This has just been a different Vol team since Bray got hurt. He really had come on this year and had started to make the jump we all thought he could make.

I expect big things from Bray next year. In five games this year he had a 66 percent completion clip, nearly 1,600 yards and a 14:2 TD:INT ratio.

Vanderbilt: Casey Hayward, CB

Without Hayward and his ball skills and his coverage awareness and his athleticism and his instincts and his—well, you get the point.

Look, Vandy is 5-5 this year ,and this has to be their best season in years. Hayward is regarded as one of the best CBs in the SEC and is the Commodores' MIP.

Alabama: Trent Richardson, RB

I had a long speech prepared to build my case for Dont'a Hightower. He's leader of the best unit in college football, the Alabama defense.

But, Alabama's offense would not score any points without Trent Richardson.

A.J. McCarron is just a guy, at best, and without Richardson, 'Bama gets nowhere because their offense would be horrific. Eddie Lacy is a solid backup, but he's not Richardson.

Arkansas: Tyler Wilson, QB

Wilson is the best QB in the SEC, in my opinion. Arkansas' offense runs through him, as he is charged with distributing the football, setting protections, checking into better plays and more.

Wilson's importance to the Hogs is unmatched.

Auburn: Michael Dyer, RB

I've noticed that Auburn really hasn't had a great, dominant WR in a very long time. I'm talking a superstar-type of WR.

That's what makes Cam Newton's year so impressive and Michael Dyer's 2011 season so good as well.

Dyer has ran for 1,037 yards and nine scores this year with the entire focus being on him from each defense every game. 

Ole Miss: Zack Stoudt, QB

Now I know Stoudt is the backup to Randall Mackey, but with Mackey being suspended several times this season, Stoudt's importance has increased. 

Ole Miss also has three freshmen WRs that will be a daunting trio for years to come in Nick Brassell, Donte Moncrief and Tobias Singleton. Someone needs to get them the ball.

LSU: Rueben Randle, WR

I could have gone with Spencer Ware, Honey Badger or Morris Claiborne, but it's Randle for me.

Without No. 2, the Tigers' offense would be pathetic. Seriously. Randle opens up the lanes for Ware because he's the top threat on the perimeter.

Odell Beckham has been solid, but he's a true freshman and would demand the respect Randle gets from defenses right now. Teams would be able to keen on Ware, shut him down and boom—LSU's offense would be atrocious without Reuben Randle.

Mississippi State: Chris Relf, QB

Relf is a big 6'4", 245-pound QB who runs Dan Mullen's spread option offense. He's the key to the car and sets the table for everyone else.

Honorable mention goes to DB Johnathan Banks.

TCU: Tank Carder, LB

Carder is the leader of Gary Patterson's defense, and along with Tanner Brock he forms a daunting LB duo in Dallas. Carder is heady, instinctive and has gotten over the timidness he showed earlier this year when he was trying to protect his shoulder. 

HM honors to Casey Pachall, Tanner Brock and Ed Wesley.

Southern Miss: Austin Davis, QB

Davis has been a highlight reel for the Golden Eagles this season. He's the team's QB, and has tossed for 2,511 yards, 20 TDs and has a 63 percent completion rate. He's also chipped in 227 yards and two scores on the ground. 

Davis is a big reason Southern Miss is 20th in the BCS at 9-1 this year.

Boise State: Kellen Moore, QB

Moore is as valuable to BSU as Andrew Luck is to Stanford. He's the face of the program and one of the greatest college QBs of all time. Accuracy, instincts, preparation and pure feel all make Moore a special college signal-caller.

His importance to Boise State is undisputed. 

Houston: Case Keenum, QB

Patrick Edwards is up there for the Cougars, but his numbers would not be nowhere near as good as they are without Case Keenum. I gushed this past offseason about Keenum returning to Houston, and he has just lit it up all year. 

A 74 percent completion rate, almost 4,000 yards and a 37:3 TD:INT ratio all speak for themselves.

Notre Dame: Manti Te'o, LB

Te'o has been a force for the Irish defense since his freshman year. He's the best player on the team and has played various LB spots during his tenure.

Te'o can play ILB in a 3-4 and MIKE in 4-3, while also playing the SAM or WILL in a 4-3. He's the anchor of the Irish defense and pretty much the team.

The Rest

ECU: Dominique Davis, QB

Marshall: Vinny Curry, DE

Memphis: Tannar Reher, WR

UAB: Jackie Williams, WR

UCF: Jeff Godfrey, QB

Rice: Kyle Martens, P

SMU: Darius John & Cole Beasley, WRs

Tulane: Orleans Darkwa, RB

Tulsa: G.J. Kinne, QB

UTEP: Vernon Frazier, RB

Army: Ray Maples, RB

Navy: Alexander Teich, QB

BYU: Cody Hoffman, WR

The Rest (Continued)

Akron: Javon Chisolm, RB

BGSU: Matt Schilz, QB

Buffalo: Branden Oliver, RB

Kent State: Matt Rinehart, P

Miami (OH): Zac Dysert, QB

Ohio: Lavon Brazill, WR

Temple: Bernard Price, RB

Toledo: Eric Page, WR

Ball State: Keith Wenning, QB

CMU: Ryan Radcliff, QB

EMU: Alex Gillett, QB

WMU: Jordan White, WR

NIU: Chandler Harnish, QB

The Rest (Continued)

Air Force: Tim Jefferson, QB

CSU: Pete Thomas, QB

New Mexico: Deon Long, WR

SDSU: Ronnie Hillman, RB

UNLV: Philip Payne, WR

Wyoming: Blair Burns, CB

Fresno State: Robbie Rouse, RB

Hawaii: Bryant Moniz, QB

Idaho: Mike Scott, WR

Louisiana Tech: Quinton Patton, WR

Nevada: Mike Ball, RB

NMSU: Donyae Coleman

SJSU: James Orth

Utah State: Robert Turbin, RB

The Rest (Continued)

Arkansas State: Ryan Aplin, QB

FAU: Alfred Morris, RB

FIU: T.Y. Hilton, WR

Louisiana Lafayette: Blaine Gautier, QB

Louisiana Monroe: Darius Prelow, SS

MTSU: Eric Russell, FS

North Texas: Lance Dunbar, RB

Troy: Corey Robinson, QB

WKU: Bobby Rainey, RB