College Football Awards 2011: Top Players Who Are Locks to Capture CFB Awards

The ESPN College Football Awards show is hours away from beginning. All five Heisman Trophy finalists are nominated for at least one award, so this will serve as a nice preview for what we'll see on Saturday.

So, while we're not going to look at every award, let's take a look at some of the top awards and figure out what we can expect to see.

Chuck Bednarik Award (Top Defensive Player)

Finalists: Dont'a Hightower, Alabama; Tyrann Mathieu, LSU; Devon Still, Penn State

Who will Win: Mathieu

Simply put, no defensive player has had the kind of impact that Mathieu has had this year. LSU has been dominant all year, but when they have struggled, Mathieu has been the game changer. Without him, this team would not be undefeated. 

His value is so much more than a defensive back. As we'll get to a little later, he's not even a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, which honors the best defensive back. 

But as a returner, Mathieu is electric. When the ball is caught by the opposing receiver, Mathieu has consistently come through with a forced fumble. 

Biletnikoff Award (Top Receiver)

Finalists: Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State; Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma; Robert Woods, USC

Who will Win: Blackmon

The numbers tell his story. Blackmon reeled in 113 catches for 1,336 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. Those numbers are slightly down from a season ago, but that's more because the team is better than they were a season ago. Blackmon isn't relied on anywhere near as much.

Still, he's been the best player on one of the best offensive teams in the country. There's nothing he can't do. 

Blackmon's size makes him a top red zone option, while his speed makes him a big play threat. He is the top receiver in the country. 

Maxwell Award (Top All-Around Player)

Finalists: Andrew Luck, Stanford; Kellen Moore, Boise State; Trent Richardson, Alabama

Who will Win: Richardson

No player (listed) has been as consistently hard to match up against as Richardson. He's replaced a Heisman Trophy winner and his team hasn't missed a beat. 

From a professional standpoint, the better option is Luck. But based on what they have done in the 2011 college football season, it's Richardson and it's not that close. 

Moore is a fine player, but he's not quite at the level that Luck and Richardson are at. Of the two remaining, it's clearly Richardson.

Davey O’Brien Award (Top Quarterback)

Finalists: Robert Griffin III, Baylor; Case Keenum, Houston; Andrew Luck, Stanford

Who will Win: Griffin III

While we're on the subject of spectacular players, let's talk a little about about Robert Griffin III. Where would Baylor be without him? Their history indicates that they would be average, at best. This year, they have been a strong team that beat Oklahoma for the first time.

That tells you all you need to know about how good Griffin has been. As both a runner and passer, he's simply the most dangerous player in the country. 

The fact that he wasn't nominated for the Maxwell award is nothing short of a travesty. Still, we can't do anything about that. But he'll be the rightful recipient of this award.

Jim Thorpe Award (Top Defensive Back)

Finalists: David Amerson, NC State; Mark Barron, Alabama; Morris Claiborne, LSU

Who will Win: Claiborne

Mathieu is the most dynamic player on LSU's defense. The best defensive back on the defense is Claiborne.

Claiborne has been a consistent stud that shuts down his side of the field. You really can't ask for more from a defensive back going against the receivers that the SEC throws at him on a weekly basis. 

His ability allows the rest of the LSU defense (including Mathieu) to play the way that they do. For that, Claiborne deserves this award.

Doak Walker Award (Top Running Back)

Finalists: Montee Ball, Wisconsin; LaMichael James, Oregon; Trent Richardson, Alabama

Who will Win: Richardson

Much of the same logic that applied to the Maxwell award applies here. We know what Richardson can do.

Ball is a fantastic back, but his team doesn't need him anywhere near as much as Richardson. I know how much he's scored, but the competition isn't as deep in the Big Ten, and Wisconsin has more weapons. 

James just hasn't played enough games. His injury really eliminates him from this discussion.

Richardson has been Alabama's horse all season long. If he doesn't perform, the team isn't anywhere near the National Championship Game.

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