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Florida Holds Top Ranking
Photo – TE Dennis Pitta BYU

1. Florida (1-0) – Gators coasted vs lower level.
2. Texas (1-0) – Longhorns pounded weak D1 club in opener.
3. USC (1-0) – Trojans are young but loaded again.
4. Mississippi (1-0) – Rebels can do some damage this season.
5. Oklahoma St (1-0) – Cowboys drilled Georgia in opener
6. Ohio St (1-0) – Buckeyes were lucky to get past Navy.
7. Penn St (1-0) – Nittany Lions took care of business vs Akron.
8. BYU (1-0) – Cougars took it to Oklahoma in opener.
9. Alabama (1-0) – Tide win a huge game vs Va. Tech.
10. LSU (1-0) – Tigers need to play up to potential to stay in top 10 rankings
11. California (1-0) – Bears dominated Maryland in opener.
12. Boise St (1-0) - Broncos slammed a stunned Oregon club.

Frank Coyle's Blog
College Title Chase and Heisman Trophy Award

Click on Frank Coyle's new Blog link. He will post there regularly with news, updates, and insights throughout the season and postseason.

Photo QB Sam Bradford - Oklahoma
Frank Coyle has been a Heisman Trophy voter for the past 15 years

The upcoming college season presents an interesting group of premier players rated as the top Heisman Trophy candidates. For the first time, there are two former Heisman Trophy winners in Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow returning with each hoping to become only the second player in college history to win two of the games’ most coveted award. Only running back Archie Griffin of Ohio St. has won two Heisman Trophy Awards during the Woody Hayes power teams of the 1970s
This year the top three vote getters return from last year, all QBs, Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy are each back at the helm with highly ranked teams that should make the both the Heisman Trophy award and national championship race highly competitive battles with the winning player and team probably claiming both trophies. Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford and Texas’s Colt McCoy face a key matchup in early October in the Red River Rivalry that will have a strong bearing on both the Heisman Trophy and National title races. I voted for Colt McCoy last season and felt the late loss to Texas Tech probably cost him the coveted award. If a Texas defender could have tackled TT wideout Michael Crabtree at the yard line we might be discussing Colt McCoy pursuing a second Heisman Trophy award this fall. Such is college football.
Florida’s Tim Tebow will lead the Gators in an attempt to repeat as national champions and his second Heisman award. Only two teams since the 1980s have repeated as national champions and the Gators certainly have several critical components inline to claim another title. Tebow actually received the most first place votes in the Heisman Trophy last year, but came in 3rd in the overall voting. Florida plays in the tough SEC, but faces an average schedule this fall with no Alabama, Auburn or Ole Mss on the regular schedule. A key early SEC matchup with LSU in October could have a strong bearing on both the national title and Heisman races and eventual winners in those prestigious awards

Heisman Trophy Preseason Candidates

QB Sam Bradford - 6’3” 215 lbs - Oklahoma
Athletic fourth year junior QB has had an incredible early career with the Sooners that includes winning the Heisman award last season. He is a big tough passer who has a quick compact delivery with good touch and fine accuracy. He has progressed quickly in all aspects of play and has gained valuable experience after starting the past three seasons in this premier program. His chances of repeating as the Heisman winner may hinge on his performance in the Red River Rivalry vs Texas’s Colt McCoy in a head to head classic. He is a good runner and shows the ability to throw effectively on the move as well as move quickly within the pocket. He needs to refine his game in all areas related to the NFL and will be working with many new offensive starters this fall.

QB Tim Tebow - 6’4” 220 lbs. - Florida
Savvy senior passer has developed nicely in the efficient pro style Gator. He has a good arm with a nice touch and the quick release to get the ball to receivers. He has shown fine arm strength with nice development especially in his accuracy. He won the Heisman award as a sophomore in ’07 and actually earned the most first place Heisman ballots last year when he finished 3rd in the overall balloting. He looks to compete vs Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy for both the Heisman award and national title in what looks like the winner takes all competition. He shows the ability to make the difficult throw and the quickness in the pocket to avoid a rush. His decision making is his greatest asset which has minimized mistakes throughout his early career. He is a terrific runner in the mold of Steve Young with the ability to beat you with his arm or feet.

Hudgins’ Earns Preseason Payton Award & FCS All American Nominations

Photo – WR Terrell Hudgins – Elon

Elon University’s senior wide receiver Terrell Hudgins was named to both the preseason Walter Payton watch list and first team FCS All-American player list. Hudgins is a senior from Rocky Mount, N.C. and a legitimate pro prospect for the NF Draft 2010 As a junior last season, he hauled in 86 receptions for 1,116 yards and 10 TDs on his way to receiving 1st Team All-Southern Conference accolades from the league's coaches for the 2nd consecutive season. He was chosen as a 2nd Team All-SoCon honoree as a redshirt freshman by the conference coaches in 2006. Hudgins became the Elon and SoCon all-time career leader in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown receptions in 2008. Hudgins has been named to the watch list for the Walter Payton Award and was named a preseason All-American selection by Draft Insiders.

Player of the Year Walter Payton Award Watch List

A total of 20 candidates for the Walter Payton Award were announced in alphabetical order earlier this preseason, with four candidates being released each week. The watch list will be revised in October and again in November before the final ballot is announced. Voting from a panel of FCS sports information directors, writers, broadcasters and other football experts will be conducted after the regular season ends. Three finalists will be announced on Nov. 30 and will be invited to the 23rd Annual Awards banquet, Dec. 17 in Chattanooga, Tn. the night before the NCAA Division I Championship Game. The Eddie Robinson Award (top FCS Coach), Buck Buchanan Award and Walter Payton Award will be presented that evening.

Payton Award Watch List

Armanti Edwards, Appalachian St
Chris Evans, Samford;
William Ford, South Carolina St
Pat Grace, Northern Iowa
Cameron Higgins, Weber St
Terrell Hudgins, Elon

Ruffin Heads Buchanan Award List

Photo - DE James Ruffin – Northern Iowa

The Buchanan Award is handed out annually to the best defensive player in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). James Ruffin of Northern Iowa is one of 20 players on the initial list and is the only player on both the Buchanan and Ted Hendricks Award lists. A total of 20 candidates have been announced for the Buchanan Award, in alphabetical order, over the past few months. The watch list will be revised in October and again in November, before the final ballot is announced.
Ruffin has been a mainstay at UNI since his freshman season. In 2008, as mentioned, the All-American and 1st team All-MVFC selection amassed a Missouri Valley-best 18 TFL, 10 sacks, 69 tackles, and 3 FF. He recorded a career-high eight tackles in an FCS semifinal game vs eventual national champion Richmond in 2008. As a sophomore, he tallied 7.5 TFL and 52 tackles to earn All-MVFC honors. During his freshman campaign, he fought his way onto the MVFC all-newcomer team while registering 26 tackles, 3 TFL and 3 PBU. In his first three seasons at UNI, he has totaled 147 tackles, 28.5 TFL, 13.5 sacks and three FF.

Preseason Buchanan Award Watch List:

Christian Anthony, DE, Grambling
Danny Batten, DE, South Dakota St
Tommy Connors, SS, Southeastern Louisiana
Dane Fletcher, DE, Montana St
Charles Graves, FS, Delaware
Larry Hart, DE, Central Arkansas
Brandin Jordan, LB, Southern Illinois
Austen Lane, DE, Murray St
Mark LeGree, FS, Appalachian St
Jeromy Miles, SS, Massachusetts
Josh Morris, CB, Weber St
Osayi Osunde, LB, Villanova
Justin Rogers, CB, Richmond
James Ruffin, DE, Northern Iowa

Photo – QB Matt Grothe – South Florida

Sugar Bowl Announces Manning List
Honor Recognizes Top QB After Bowls

NEW ORLEANS – The Manning Award, sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, announced its 2009 preseason Watch List. The list includes 38 of the top QBs in the nation heading into the 2009 season. The winner will be announced after the bowls in January and will be honored at a February banquet in New Orleans. The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only QB award that takes into consideration the candidates’ bowl performances.
Florida’s Tim Tebow will attempt to become the first repeat winner of the honor after collecting it last season. He is joined by Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford to give the award two Heisman Trophy winners on the Watch List. Each of the 11 FBS conferences is represented on the Watch List with at least two candidates while the Big 12 leads the way with seven Watch List selections. In addition, Appalachian St’s Armanti Edwards becomes the 1st player from a FCS school to be recognized on the preseason Manning list.
“We have another great class of QBs this season,” said Archie Manning. “We have 38 QBs on our Watch List, but there are any number of other guys who could step into the picture as the season gets going. It’s going to be a lot of fun to watch another tremendous college football season.”
While the preseason Watch List includes just 38 QBs, every quarterback in the nation remains eligible for the honor. Additional QBs may be added to the Watch List after the start of the season. Ten finalists will be determined by a selected panel of national media covering college football, as well as each of the Mannings. That list will be released on Monday, Nov. 30. The winner will be announced on Thurs, Jan. 14.
The first four winners of the Manning Award reads like a Who’s Who list at the QB position. USC’s Matt Leinart was the inaugural award winner in 2005, followed by Texas’ Vince Young in 2006. Both went on to be top 10 NFL draft picks. In 2007, LSU’s JaMarcus Russell earned the award and was the NFL’s No. 1 draft pick. Boston College’s Matt Ryan claimed the award in 2008 and was drafted No. 3, quickly becoming the starting QB for the Atlanta Falcons.

2009 Manning Award Watch List

Austen Arnaud - Jr - Iowa St
Sam Bradford - Jr - Oklahoma
Levi Brown - Sr - Troy
Darryll Clark - Sr - Penn St
Jimmy Clausen - Jr - Notre Dame
Andy Dalton - Sr - TCU
Austin Davis - So - Southern Miss
Armanti Edwards - Sr - Appalachian St
Robert Griffin III - So - Baylor
Matt Grothe - Sr - USF

Photo – OT Anthony Davis – Rutgers

Lombardi Award Announces Watch List

HOUSTON – The Watch List for the 40th annual Rotary Lombardi Award has been announced and it includes 153 players from 79 teams and 11 conferences. The Rotary Lombardi Award is presented annually by Houston's Rotary Club to the nation's top college football lineman -- offense or defense -- who, in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the discipline of Vince Lombardi.
The Watch List was formed by using 2008 postseason and 2009 preseason all-conference and All-America teams. Additional nominations were accepted from Rotary Lombardi Award voters and college sports information directors.
On Oct. 14, the 12 semifinalists for the Rotary Lombardi Award will be announced. On Nov. 11, the four finalists will be named. All of the finalists will travel to Houston for the ceremony to announce the winner on Dec. 9 at the Hilton Americas. The 2008 Rotary Lombardi Award winner was Brian Orakpo, a defensive end from the University of Texas. He was the first round draft selection of the Washington Redskins.
The Rotary Club of Houston founded the Rotary Lombardi Award in 1970, in the weeks following the death of legendary coach Vince Lombardi from cancer. The 40th Rotary Lombardi Award dinner will be held on Dec. 9, 2009, at the Hilton Hotel. Net proceeds from the event benefit the American Cancer Society. For more information call the Rotary Club of Houston at 713-973-9936 or visit the website at www.rotarylombardiaward.org.
Rutgers junior offensive tackle Anthony Davis (Piscataway, N.J.) is one of the premier players for this award. He was also named to the 40-man Outland Trophy Watch List. He is a Preseason All-American and has been the anchor of a Scarlet Knight offensive line in recent seasons that returns all five starters for the 2009 season.

2009 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List

Name / School / Pos / Yr / Hgt / Wgt
Rahim Alem - LSU - DE - Sr - 6-3, 254
Sean Allen - East Carolina - OL - Sr - 6-3, 310
Tyson Alualu - California - DL - Sr - 6-3, 295
Geno Atkins - Georgia - DT - Sr - 6-1, 287
Marvin Austin - North Carolina - DT - So - 6-3, 305
Carl Barnett - Houston - OL - Sr - 6-2, 285
Kevin Basped - Nevada - DL - Jr - 6-6, 240
Zane Beadles - Utah - OL Sr - 6-4, 305
Jeremy Beal - Oklahoma - DL - Jr - 6-3, 261
Jason Beauchamp - UNLV - LB - Sr - 6-3, 235
Nick Bellore - Central Michigan - LB - Jr - 6-1, 241
Patrick Benoist - Vanderbilt - LB - Sr - 6-1, 224
Scooter Berry - West Virginia - DL - Jr - 6-1, 294
Ciron Black - LSU - OL - Sr - 6-5, 325
Clint Boling - Georgia - LT - Jr - 6-5, 297
Greg Boone - Virginia Tech - TE - Sr - 6-3, 283
Korey Bosworth - UCLA - DE - Sr - 6-1, 242
Kyle Bosworth - UCLA - LB - Sr - 6-1, 234
Navorro Bowman - Penn St. - LB - Jr - 6-1 230
Mike Brewster - Ohio St - C - So - 6-5, 296
Mike Bryan - Tulsa - LB - Sr - 6-3, 226
Bryan Bulaga - Iowa - OT - Jr - 6-6, 315
Ben Burkett - Northwestern - C - So - 6-4. 285
Brad Bustle - Louisiana - G - Sr - 6-3, 302
Jeff Byers - Southern California - OG - Sr - 6-3, 290
Nate Byham - Pittsburgh - TE - Jr - 6-4, 265
Gabe Carimi - Wisconsin - OL - Jr - 6-7, 325
Alex Carrington - Arkansas St - DE - Sr - 6-5, 275
Brandon Carter - Texas Tech - OL - Sr 6-7, 354
Reggie Carter - UCLA - LB - Sr - 6-1, 240
Anthony Castonzo - Boston College - OT - Jr - 6-7, 287
Nick Charles - Air Force - OL - Sr - 6-4, 285
Keenan Clayton - Oklahoma - LB - Sr - 6-1, 221
Terrence Cody - Alabama - DL - Sr - 6-5, 354
Justin Cole - San Jose St. - LB - Sr - 6-3, 240
Antonio Coleman - Auburn - DE - Sr - 6-3, 257
Erik Cook - New Mexico - OL - Sr. - 6-6, 318
Jermaine Cunningham - Florida - DE - Sr - 6-3, 252
Rennie Curran - Georgia - LB - So - 5-11, 228
Anthony Davis - Rutgers - OL - Jr - 6-6, 325

2009 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

Photo - DE Eric Norwood - South Carolina

Six Football Writers Association of America All-Americans are among 62 players selected to the 2009 Bronko Nagurski Watch List, announced by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club. Included on the list are two past finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Texas Christian end Jerry Hughes and South Florida end George Selvie.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is awarded annually to the nation's best defensive player by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club. The trophy has been presented since 1993 and is awarded in memory of the legendary Nagurski, an All-America lineman at Minnesota in 1927-29 and a star for professional football's Chicago Bears in the 1930s.

Besides Hughes, a 2008 All-American, and Selvie, a 2007 All-American, other FWAA All-Americans from last season on the 2009 Watch List are Tennessee defensive back Eric Berry Alabama tackle Terrence Cody, USC defensive back Taylor Mays and Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes.

The Bronko Nagurski Watch List is fluid. Players may be added or removed during the season. After the first four games of the season, the FWAA will revise the list and at that time school sports information directors may submit names for players not on the list to the FWAA and their conference's FWAA All-America Committee representative.

2009 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

Javier Arenas, DB, Alabama
Geno Atkins, DT, Georgia
Kevin Basped, DE, Nevada
Jeremy Beal, DE, Oklahoma
Eric Berry, DB, Tennessee
Navorro Bowman, LB, Penn St
Morgan Burnett, DB, Georgia Tech
Kam Chancellor, DB, Virginia Tech
Barry Church, DB, Toledo
Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama
Kurt Coleman, DB, Ohio St
Antonio Coleman, DE, Auburn
Rennie Curran, LB, Georgia
Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan
Joe Haden, DB, Florida
Greg Hardy, DE, Ole Miss
Jerry Hughes, DE, TCU
Micah Johnson, LB, Kentucky
Greg Jones, LB, Michigan St
Arthur Jones, DT, Syracuse
Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas
Brandon Lang, DE, Troy
Sean Lee, LB, Penn State
Mark LeGree, DB, Appalachian St
Myron Lewis, CB, Vanderbilt
Trevard Lindley, DB, Kentucky
Taylor Mays, DB, USC
Rolondo McClain, LB, Alabama
Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
Koa Misi, DE, Utah
Jerome Murphy, CB, USF
Andre Neblett, NT, Temple
Eric Norwood, LB, South Carolina
Jared Odrick, DT, Penn St
Vince Oghobaase, DT, Duke