CFB Regular Season Recap

Well, the regular season has been over for a little bit now. So this is a post that's been a long time coming. Especially since the bowl season starts this Saturday. But before he we head into the bowl bonanza, time for me to hand out some awards for the regular season.

(Tomorrow, I will post my predictions vs. what actually happen and dissect the regular season by conference And then Friday, I will post my complete bowl game preview, complete with score predictions, breakdowns, and more.)

THE AWARDS

BEST FRESHMAN
1. Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon St. - When you lead the Pac-10 in rushing with more than 1,200 yards in your first season, you're obviously pretty good. The frosh tailback scored 12 TDs during the season, averaged 4.8 yds/carry and maybe more impressive, didn't fumble the ball once. Plus, it helps when you have your best game against the best defense in the land: 186 yds, 2 TD in a 27-21 upset of USC.
2. AJ Green, WR, Georgia
3. Robert Griffin, QB, Baylor
4. Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio St.
5. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise St.

WHERE'D YOU COME FROM?
1. Georgia Tech (7 wins in '07, 9 in '08) - There was a lot of grumbling about whether or not Paul Johnson would be able to implement his triple option system into a BCS conference. Well, after going 9-3, I think we all know the answer. True, this team won 7 games last season, but considering how many were predicting them to win 3-5 games, winning 9 earns them this award.
2. Ball State (7 to 12)
3. Ole Miss (3 to 8)
4. Minnesota (1 to 7)
5. Northwestern (6 to 9)

WHERE'D YOU GO?
1. Auburn (9 wins in '07, 5 in '08) - They were ranked in the top 10 to begin the season. At the end of the season, they aren't even going to a bowl game. Now, 10-year head coach Tommy Tuberville is out and the new head man is already being hated on by Tiger fans. This was the season from hell for Auburn and it may get worse before it gets better.
2. Tennessee (9 to 5)
3. LSU (12 to 7)
4. Michigan (9 to 3)
5. Kansas (12 to 7)

BEST STORY OF THE YEAR
1. Ball State's Undefeated Run - No one expected this team to rattle off 12 wins in a row to begin the season. But what makes their season more impressive is how they kept winning after losing their top receiver Dante Love in the 4th game. Many thought it would slow down this offense and become a problem for the Cardinals. But thanks to QB Nate Davis and coach Brady Hoke, the Cardinals gave the town on Muncie and David Letterman something to be proud of.
2. Joe Paterno Still Winning Games at 80+
3. Cincy Survives QB Injuries
4. Walk-On Matt Williams Kicks For Texas Tech
5. Dabo Swinney Sparks Clemson, Keeps Job

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
1. UGA Falls Flat In Big Games - There was a lot of publicity around the Dawgs. Ranked #1 in the preseason. Hyped up to have the most talent in college football. People knew the schedule would be tough to get through, but in the biggest games, the Dawgs just didn't show up. The losses to Bama and Florida were incredibly lopsided and the loss to rival Georgia Tech was the first in 7 years.
2. Greg Robinson's Tenure At Syracuse
3. Auburn From Top 10 To No Bowl
4. Ohio State Smoked On National TV...Again
5. ECU: BCS Buster To Just Busted

BEST CONFERENCE
1. Big 12 - Not much of a surprise here. When you have 3 teams (Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech) in the national title discussion, odds are you're a good conference. But beyond those three, teams like Nebraska and Oklahoma State surprised many and were no pushover. And even a 4-win team like Baylor showed promise. Class of college football right now.
2. Big Ten
3. Mountain West
4. SEC
5. ACC

WORST CONFERENCE
1. Pac-10 - Besides USC, not one team was impressive. Teams had their moments but all in all, this is a terrible conference right now. Washington goes winless. Top 15 preseason pick Arizona State finishes with 5 wins. Non-conference losses to the likes of New Mexico and UNLV. This used to be a fun conference to watch. Not right now.
2. Big East
3. WAC
4. Conference USA
5. MAC

BIGGEST UPSET
1. Syracuse 24, Notre Dame 23 - Yes, both teams were unranked and Notre Dame was inconsistent all season. But this loss really hurt the Irish. It was their last chance for a win before they played USC. And it was against a two-win team. That's right. The Orange had two wins going into the game in South Bend. And somehow, despite their lack of talent and their lame-duck head coach, they pulled off a huge upset, that almost cost Charlie Weis his job.
2. Oregon St. 27, USC 21
3. Ole Miss 31, Florida 30
4. Iowa 24, Penn St. 23
5. Rutgers 54, Pitt 34

BEST GAME
1. Texas vs. Texas Tech - Not many were giving the Red Raiders a chance, especially after seeing the Longhorns knock off Oklahoma, Mizzou and Oklahoma State in 3 straight weeks. But the Red Raiders stood toe to toe with their in-state nemesis, and with 7 seconds on the clock, came up with the big play. Graham Harrell to Michael Crabtree, who tightropes the sideline and scores to all but secure a 39-33 Red Raider win with a second left. Who knew then that it would also secure Texas' spot behind Oklahoma in the BCS standings.
2. Oklahoma vs. Texas
3. Ohio vs. Ohio State
4. Kansas vs. South Florida
5. Ohio State vs. Wisconsin

COACH OF THE YEAR
1. Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech - When he came from Navy, people in Georgia Tech were skeptical. Those who weren't just figured it would take 2-3 years before success came. Well, pretty sure GT fans are pleased with the results through one year. 9 wins, including over their rival Georgia. This guy is a coaching genius right now.
2. Brian Kelly, Cincinnati
3. Houston Nutt, Ole Miss
4. Brady Hoke, Ball St.
5. Mike Leach, Texas Tech

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
1. Colt McCoy, QB, Texas - No player meant more to his team than Colt McCoy. Through the air, McCoy was solid, completing 77.6% of his passes, throwing for 3,445 yds, and 32 TDs against 7 INT. And on the ground, he rushed for 576 yards and 10 TD, which both led the team. And without a star WR or RB like he's had in the past, McCoy had to do this to carry Texas to 11-1. He may not have won the Heisman but if he comes back as a senior, he'll definitely be the preseason favorite, even if Bradford, Tebow and Stafford come back.
2. Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
3. Graham Harrell, QB, Texas Tech
4. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
5. (tie) Rey Maualuga, LB, USC, Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia


Alright, my prediction revisited posted tomorrow and complete bowl preview on Friday.