Draft Insiders’ and Coaches Top 25 Teams – Week Twelve

  Frank Coyle – Head Scout

Bama Shuts Out Mississippi St
Georgia Beats Auburn

Players of Week
Offense – WR Tylan Wallace – Oklahoma St
Defense – Alabama defense with 2^nd consecutive shutout vs Mississippi St.

Team of the Week – Georgia beats Auburn
Upset of the Week – Tennessee beats Kentucky 24-7

Games of Week Twelve –
Notre Dame (10-0) vs Syracuse (8-2) at Yankee Stadium, New York City
 

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Top 25 Teams – Week Twelve
Draft Insiders’

Rank/ Team/ Record
1 Alabama – 10-0
2 Clemson – 10-0
3 Notre Dame – 10-0
4 Georgia – 9-1
5 Michigan – 9-1
6 UCF   – 9-0
7 Oklahoma – 9-1
8 West Virginia – 8-1
9 Ohio St – 9-1
10 Washington St – 9-1
11 LSU – 8-2
12 Utah St – 9-1
13 Syracuse – 8-2
14 Kentucky –   7-3
15 Texas – 7-3
16 Washington – 7-3
17 Florida – 7-3
18 Cincinnati – 9-1
19 Iowa St – 6-3
20 Penn State – 7-3
21 Boise St – 8-2
22 Boston College – 7-3
23 Utah – 7-3
24 Northwestern – 6-4
25 UAB – 9-1

Coaches Top 25 Poll

Rank/ Team / Record / Points
1 Alabama (64)  10-0      1624
2 Clemson (1)    10-0      1561
3 Notre Dame    10-0      1490
4 Michigan        9-1        1415
5 Georgia          9-1        1369
6 Oklahoma      9-1        1273
7 West Virginia  8-1        1173
8 Ohio State      9-1        1135
9 Washington State       9-1        1119
10 LSU 8-2        1078
11 UCF 9-0        1042
12 Syracuse      8-2        849
13 Utah State    9-1        698
14 Texas           7-3        662
15 Penn State   7-3        646
16 Florida         7-3        604
17 Washington  7-3        591
18 Iowa State    6-3        403
19 Utah 7-3        387
20 Cincinnati     9-1        383
21 Kentucky      7-3        318
22 Boston College         7-3        309
23 Mississippi State      6-4        219
24 Boise State  8-2        129
25 UAB 9-1        102

Dropped from rankings: Fresno State 17, NC State 22
Others receiving votes: Northwestern 87, Fresno State 64, Army 58, Buffalo 56, Virginia 44, Duke 38, NC State 37, Pittsburgh 30, Texas A&M 29, Michigan State 20, Auburn 19, Troy 17, Appalachian State 14, Missouri 13, San Diego State 10, Wisconsin 7, Arizona State 2, Tennessee 1

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy,  Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff  and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years.

2018 Maxwell Award Semifinalists

The 2018 Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award for the Collegiate Player of the Year

The list includes a field of 20 candidates as selected by the Maxwell Football Club National Selection Committee, including eleven QBs, seven RB and two receivers. Quarterbacks, Tua Tagovailoa of Alabama, Will Grier of West Virginia, Dwayne Haskins of Ohio State and Kyler Murray of Oklahoma will be strong candidates off outstanding 2018 performances.

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The winner will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show presented by Gildan which will be broadcast live on ESPN on Dec. 6. The formal presentation of these awards will be made at the Maxwell Football Club’s Awards Dinner on Friday, March 8, 2019 at the Tropicana Casino & Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Semifinalist voting for the award will close on Nov. 18. Three finalists will be announced on Nov. 19 and a second round of voting will take place at that time. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA head football coaches, sports information directors and selected national media.

Go to  MaxwellFootballClub.org for more information

2018 Maxwell Award Semifinalists:

Tagovailoa Tua QB – Alabama
Grier Will QB – West Virginia
Haskins Dwayne QB – Ohio State
Murray Kyler QB – Oklahoma
McMaryion Marcus QB – Fresno State
King D’Eriq QB – Houston
Book Ian QB – Notre Dame
Herbert Justin QB – Oregon
Minshew Gardner QB – Washington State
McSorley Trace QB – Penn State
Milton McKenzie QB – UCF
Snell Benny RB – Kentucky
Henderson Darrell RB – Memphis
Higdon Karan RB – Michigan
Dillon AJ RB – Boston College
Etienne Travis RB – Clemson
Moss Zack RB – Utah
Taylor Jonathan RB – Wisconsin
Moore Rondale WR – Purdue
Shenault Laviska WR – Colorado

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for over 25 years.

NFL Power Poll – Week 10

Frank Coyle/ Head Scout

NFL Power Poll – Rams Taste First Defeat to The Saints
Brady Outshines Rodgers in Patriots 31-17 Victory

Teams of the Week –
    Saints over Rams, 45-35
Steelers beat Ravens, 23-16
 
Players of the Week
  Offense – QB Drew Brees – Saints     
  Defense – DE Danielle Hunter – Vikings
 
Rookies of Week
    WR Calvin Ridley – Falcons
    LB Roquan Smith – Bears

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Games of Week #10 – Seattle Seahawks (4-4) at LA Rams (8-1)  
Rams host their divisional rival Seahawks, that may decide NFC West title.

 Draft Insiders’ – NFL Power Poll – Week 10

NFL Ranking /Record /Team

#1 – 1 -8-1 Rams
Rams’ suffered their first loss to the Saints. The ‘72 Dolphins party time.

#2 – 8-1 Chiefs
Chiefs’ offense is the most explosive in the game.

#3 – 7-1 Saints
Saints’ are peaking now with their seven-game winning streak. QB Drew Brees is playing like an MVP candidate.

#4 – 7-2 Patriots
Pats took care of the Packers behind another classic performance by QB Tom Brady.

#5 – 6-2 Chargers
Chargers beat the Seahawks in Seattle in a statement performance.

#6 – 6-2 Panthers
Panthers are hot and go to Pittsburgh in a huge Thursday night matchup.

#7 – 5-2-1 Steelers
Steelers’ gained revenge to their earlier loss to Ravens with big victory in Baltimore.

#8 – 6-3 Texans
Texans’ toughed a difficult win in Denver. Get their bye week to gear up for South division run.

#9 – 5-3-1 Vikings
Vikings beat the Lions to go into their bye on a divisional victory.

#10 – 5-3 Bengals
Bengals’ host the Saints coming off their bye in a huge interconference matchup.

#11 – 4-4 Eagles
Eagles host the staggering Cowboys in a key NFC East contest.

#12 – 5-3 Redskins
The Redskins were smoked by the Falcons in their poorest defensive performance of the season.

#13 – 4-4 Seahawks
Seahawks travel to LA to face divisional leader the Rams in a must situation for their playoff hopes.

#14 – 5-3 Bears
The Bears host the faltering Lions with a chance to gain a strong hold on NFC North leadership.

#15 – 5-4 Dolphins
Dolphins go to Titletown to face the desperate Packers.

#16 – 3-4-1 Packers
The Packers host the Fish in a must win situation to keep alive their slim playoff hopes.

#17 – 4-4 Falcons
Falcons offense is carrying this club in hopes of getting healthy on the defensive side of the ball soon.

#18 – 4-5 Ravens
Ravens lost their third straight game. Much needed bye this week before second half schedule.

#19 – 4-4 Titans
The Titans won a big game vs Cowboys. Host the Patriots which may determine any postseason hopes.

#20 – 3-5 Colts
Colts are coming off their bye week and host the Jaguars that will determine any playoff hopes.

#21 – 3-5 Lions
Lions go to Chicago in a desperate situation after another disappointing performance vs the Vikings.

#22 – 3-5 Cowboys
The Cowboys were pounded by the Titans. Face Eagles in a must win situation for any NFC playoff hopes.

#23 – 3-5 Jaguars
Jaguars’ are coming off their bye week and travel to Indy for key divisional matchup.

#24- 3-6 Broncos
Broncos are on their bye week after a disappointing loss especially by their offense.

#25 – 3-5 Bucs
Bucs host the Skins in a must win spot after another poor defensive effort.

#26 – 3-6 Jets
Jets’ failed in a big spot in Miami with rookie QB Sam Darnold throwing four picks.

#27 – 2-6-1 Browns
Browns defense gave up almost 500 yards in their loss to the Chiefs.

#28 – 2-7 49ers
The 49ers beat the Raiders and look to extend it to a two game stretch with the Giants coming in Monday night.

#29 – 2-6 Cardinals
Cardinals go to KC to face Patrick Mahomes. They had two weeks to prepare.

#30 – 2-7 Bills
Bills were trashed by the Bears. Go to MetLife to face the equally struggling Jets.

#31 – 1-7 Giants
The Giants could not lose last week during the bye week. Go to San Fran for a bottom feeder matchup.

#32 – 1-7 Raiders
Da Raiders were taken to the wood shed by the 49ers in last, 34-3. Enough said.

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with NFL and college coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 20 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for CBS, ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to NFL and College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites

 Maxwell Football Club Announces Chuck Bednarik Award 2018 Semifinalists

Five teams, Alabama, Clemson, LSU, Mississippi St and Washington list two Defensive Players on the Semifinalist List

MSU’s Simmons and Sweat Named Bednarik Award Semifinalists
Mississippi State’s Jeffery Simmons and Montez Sweat, the best defensive line duo in America, were both named semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award on Monday by the Maxwell Football Club.

The Bednarik Award is presented annually to the college defensive player of the year by the Maxwell Football Club. The field of contenders is comprised of 20 candidates, featuring a representative from every Power 5 conference. Simmons is one of two returners from last year’s semifinal list. MSU is one of just five schools with multiple semifinalists, joining Alabama, Clemson, LSU and Washington.

College football’s most feared pass rusher, Sweat is tied for second in the Southeastern Conference and seventh in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 8.5 sacks through eight games this season. He has also racked up 11 tackles for loss, which is the third-most in the SEC. No player in the Power 5 has tallied more sacks since the start of the 2017 season than Sweat, who has 19 in his 21 career games played in that span. Sweat, who led the SEC in sacks with 10.5 in 2017, is looking to become the second player since at least 2002 to lead the league in sacks back-to-back years.

A dominant interior force, Simmons leads all SEC defensive linemen with 39 tackles this season and ranks tied for fourth in the conference with 9.5 tackles for loss. Simmons has recorded 18 stops and 16 total pressures, including 12 hurries. In the 21 games played together, the pair of first-round NFL prospects have combined for 48 tackles for loss (28 vs. SEC). Sweat has 26.5, while Simmons has 21.5 (Simmons has 25.0 in his career). The tandem has also combined for 24 sacks (16.5 vs. SEC) as Sweat has 19 and Simmons has five.

Frank Coyle lists  12 of the 20 junior and senior defenders on his Big Board for the NFL Draft 2019.

Semifinalist voting for the award will  close on Nov. 18. Three finalists will be announced on Nov. 19 and a second round of voting will take place at that time. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA head football coaches, sports information directors and selected national media.

The winner will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show presented by Gildan which will be broadcast live on ESPN on Dec. 6. The formal presentation of these awards will be made at the Maxwell Football Club’s Awards Dinner on Friday, March 8, 2019 at the Tropicana Casino & Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

2018 Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalists

DT Quinnen Williams, Alabama
S Deionte Thompson, Alabama
DE Zach Allen, Boston College
DE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
DT Christian Wilkins, Clemson
DE Jachai Polite, Florida
DE Brian Burns, Florida State
CB Deandre Baker, Georgia
DT Ed Oliver, Houston
LB Josh Allen, Kentucky
DE Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech
S Grant Delpit, LSU
LB Devin White, LSU
DE Chase Winovich, Michigan
DE Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
NG Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State
NG Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame
DT Dre’Mont Jones, Ohio State
CB Byron Murphy, Washington
LB Ben Burr-Kirven, Washington

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years.

Draft Insiders’ and Coaches Top 25 Teams – Week Eleven

Bama Shuts Out LSU 29-0 For SEC Championship Berth
Georgia Beats Kentucky For Conference Title Game Matchup

Players of  the Week
Offense – QB Will Grier – West Virginia
Defense – DT Quinnen Williams – Alabama

Team of the Week – Alabama beats LSU
Upset of the Week –   Missouri beats Florida, SMU beats Houston

Games of Week Ten –
Auburn (6-3) at Georgia (8-1)
Clemson (8-0) at Boston College (7-2)

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Go to   www.RedCross.org  to donate money or time
DraftInsiders.com supports all Emergency Relief efforts worldwide along with Breast Cancer for over 25 years.

Top 25 Teams – Week Ten
Draft Insiders’

Rank/ Team/ Record
1 Alabama – 9-0
2 Clemson – 9-0
3 Notre Dame – 9-0
4 Georgia – 8-1
5 Michigan – 8-1
6 UCF   – 8-0
7 Oklahoma – 8-1
8 West Virginia – 7-1
9 Ohio St – 8-1
10 Washington St – 8-1
11 LSU – 7-2
12 Kentucky –   7-2
13 Utah St – 8-1
14 Syracuse – 7-2
15 Fresno St – 8-1
16 North Carolina St – 6-2
17 Texas – 6-3
18 Mississippi St – 6-3
19 Washington – 7-3
20 Boston College – 7-2
21 Florida – 6-3
22 Cincinnati – 8-1
23 Penn State – 6-3
24 Iowa St – 5-3
25 Utah – 6-3

Coaches Top 25 Poll

Rank/ Team / Record / Points
1 Alabama (63)  9-0        1599
2 Clemson (1)    9-0        1537
3 Notre Dame    9-0        1464
4 Michigan        8-1        1390
5 Georgia          8-1        1347
6 Oklahoma      8-1        1272
7 Ohio State      8-1        1109
8 West Virginia  7-1        1108
9 Washington State       8-1        1076
10 LSU 7-2        1063
11 UCF 8-0        1054
12 Kentucky      7-2        761
13 Syracuse      7-2        625
14 Boston College         7-2        580
15 Mississippi State      6-3        567
16 Utah State    8-1        565
17 Fresno State 8-1        490
18 Washington  7-3        463
19 Texas           6-3        433
20 Penn State   6-3        375
21 Florida         6-3        340
22 NC State      6-2        327
23 Cincinnati     8-1        207
24 Utah 6-3        184
25 Iowa State    5-3        151

Dropped from rankings: Houston 17, Iowa 18, Virginia 22

Others receiving votes: Michigan State 144, Auburn 106, Iowa 87, UAB 64, Wisconsin 64, Oregon 51, Houston 41, Army 34, Buffalo 22, Texas A&M 16, San Diego State 15, Purdue 13, Boise State 12, Duke 11, Pittsburgh 10, South Florida 10, South Carolina 7, Missouri 2, Appalachian State 2, North Texas 1, Northwestern 1

 Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy,  Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff  and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years.

NFL Power Poll – Week 9

Frank Coyle/ Head Scout

NFL Power Poll –
Rams Face Saints in Key NFC Matchup
Brady vs Rodgers in Sunday Night Classic

Teams of the Week –
    Saints over Vikings, 30-20
Rams over Packers, 29-27
 
Players of the Week
  Offense – RB Todd Gurley – Rams     
  Defense – DE JJ Watt – Texans
 
Rookies of Week
    QB – Josh Rosen – Cards
    DE – Marcus Davenport – Saints

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Go to   www.RedCross.org  to donate money or time
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Games of Week #9 –

LA Rams (8-0) at New Orleans Saints (6-1)  
Hot Saints host the unbeaten Rams in major NFC Matchup
LA Chargers (5-2) at Seattle Seahawks (4-3)
Vital game for both West divisional playoff contenders

Draft Insiders’ – NFL Power Poll

NFL Ranking /Record /Team
#1 -8-0 Rams
Rams’ learning how to win tight games weekly in crunch time. Face acid test in New Orleans.

#2 – 7-1 Chiefs
Chiefs go to Cleveland for a tougher matchup that many think.

#3 – 7-1 Saints
Saints’ won another tough road test in Minnesota. Host the unbeaten Rams this week which determines NFC leadership.

#4 – 6-2 Patriots
Pats host the Packers in a classic matchup of QBs, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers.

#5 – 5-2 Chargers
Chargers face the 12^th man in Seattle in one of the best games of the week.

#6 – 5-2 Panthers
Panthers are coming off victories over the Eagles and Ravens. Host the Bucs Sunday.

#7 – 4-2-1 Steelers
Steelers’ travel to Baltimore for their annual bloodbath with the Ravens.

#8 – 5-3 Texans
Texans’ are quietly gaining momentum. Go to Mile High for key AFC matchup.

#9 – 4-3-1 Vikings
Vikings overrated defense came up short again in a big spot vs the Saints.

#10 – 5-3 Bengals
Bengals’ edged out a win vs the Bucs. Bye week before important 2^nd half run.

#11 – 4-4 Ravens
Ravens host the Steelers this week in maybe the best rivalry in the league.

#12 – 5-2 Redskins
The Redskins are learning how to win. Host Atlanta in one of the interesting matchups this week.

#13 – 4-3 Seahawks
Seahawks face the tough two LA teams over the next two weeks that may determine their playoff hopes.

#14 – 4-4 Eagles
Eagles get their bye and look to make a run with a heavy NFC schedule over the 2nd half.

#15 – 3-3-1 Packers
The Packers keep coming up short despite QB Aaron Rodger’s heroics.

#16 – 4-3 Bears
The Bears travel to Buffalo with a chance to stay atop the competitive NFC North.

#17 – 3-4 Lions
Lions face two North road games with Vikings and Bears that will determine if they are contenders or pretenders.

#18 – 4-4 Dolphins
Dolphins host the Jets in almost a must win contest to stay in playoff hunt.

#19 – 3-4 Falcons
Falcons coming off their bye with two road games in Washington and Cleveland on the schedule.

#20 – 3-4 Cowboys
The Cowboys are coming off their bye and must get to .500 to get into NFC playoff contention.

#21 – 3-4 Titans
The Titans are rested for their trip to Big D which may determine the fate of both clubs.

#22 – 3-5 Jaguars
Jaguars’ lost again this time to the Eagles. Get their bye week to regroup for stretch run.

#23- 3-5 Broncos
Broncos are coming up short in big spots. Host the hot Texans in a must win situation to stay alive in AFC playoffs.

#24 – 3-4 Bucs
Bucs go back to vet QB Fitzpatrick after an extended horrible streak by QB Jameis Winston.

#25 – 2-5-1 Browns
Browns finally fired HC Hue Jackson after a 3-37-1 stretch, one of the worst in NFL history.

#26 – 3-5 Jets
Jets’ travel to Miami after a weak performance in Chicago.

#27 – 3-5 Colts
Colts beat the Raiders behind another strong Andrew Luck performance.

#28 – 2-6 Bills
Bills change to backup QB Nate Peterman while hoping for rookie QB Josh Allen’s return.

#29 – 2-6 Cardinals
Cardinals edged out a victory over the 49ers. Get their bye this week.

#30 – 1-7 Giants
The Giants have just begun a complete rebuild. Roster lacks talent and depth after years of poor draft classes by ex GM Jerry Reese.

#31 – 1-7 49ers
The 49ers are favorite in this ‘Bay of Pigs’ classic.

#32 – 1-7 Raiders
Da Raiders were toasted by the Colts in their last embarrassment.

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with NFL and college coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 20 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for CBS, ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to NFL and College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites