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LSU-Alabama Rematch Guarantees Another National Title for SEC Team
Photo - CB Tyrann Mathieu - LSU
The much anticipated rematch of #1 LSU and #2 Alabama is finally here after a long bowl season. The BCS national title game has built to a fever pitch over the past month with two teams that guarantees the 6th consecutive SEC national title winner. This classic title game has all the makings of another tough slugfest that features two standout defenses. The regular season’s Game of the Century was a classic old time battle where both clubs displayed a strong physical presence and dominant defenses that attack the line of scrimmage. LSU prevailed 9-6 in overtime as Alabama as the Tide missed four FGs. No team scored a TD in the SEC clash in Tuscaloosa. That’s quite a contrast to the wild weekly shootouts in college football recently.
Each title game club likes to run the ball and play field position while relying on efficient QB play. The defensive play of both teams is worth the price of admission. Each club is battle tested after surviving the tough SEC West Division that features both LSU and Alabama, in addition to Arkansas. They could all finish in the top five nationally after tonight. The winner tonight has the claim to undisputed #1 national ranking. Winning the SEC has translated into 5 consecutive national titles. Tonight’s matchup guarantees another SEC national title winner.
One of the keys to this game will Bama star tailback Trent Richardson who had an impressive performance in the first matchup. Richardson ran for 169 yards in the November loss. He has been the catalyst for many Tide victories over recent years that warranted high Heisman Trophy award consideration. He rushed for 20 TDs with almost 1000 rushing over the second half of the 2011 season. Another big effort tonight could spell the difference in the title contest. The LSU front seven will be fully tested by Richardson and may be the critical deciding factor in the outcome.
Both LSU and Alabama have incredible secondaries that already rank with NFL defenses. This game features potentially five #1 defensive back picks from both clubs over just the next two draft classes. Tiger corners sophomore Tyrann Mathieu and junior Morris Claiborne have been huge impact defenders over the 2011 season. He has been a difference maker in virtually every game especially key matchups. Both teams have had weeks to prepare that has contributed to the hype of this classic late season matchup.
Prediction - LSU 16 - Alabama 13
Game Within the Game Matchup
LSU Receiver Rueben Randle vs Alabama Cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick
Great matchup of two future high #1 NFL Draft picks, maybe this April. This game features countless high draft selections especially on the defensive side of the ball. There could be as many as 8 defensive backs in this game that starting eventually in the NFL.
Wideout Rueben Randle is a former five-star recruit entering LSU who struggled over his first two seasons. He had a major breakout season despite QB changes for the Tigers in a rotation of starters. He has benefitted from more consistent play at QB that has allowed him to start to realize his enormous athletic potential.
Randle has put up new career receptions total and ranked among the SEC leaders in receiving TDs despite double coverage. He has a big lean 6’4’’, 205 lb frame with a great skill set for the position. He has the vertical speed to get deep consistently and the agility, hands and run after the catch ability to take the underneath passes and make a big play.
Bama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick has rare physical skills for the position. He has great size at 6’3” and plays a physical brand of fotoball that HC Nick Saban plays and demands. He has an NFL safety body with cornerback athleticism and skills. His combination of size, hands and speed ranks him the top cornerback currently with the development to be one of the blue chip prospects for the NFL Draft 2012. Defenders Mark Barron and Robert Lester may be the best two safetie in the nation. Linebackers Don’t’a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw are NFL ready after being battle tested in the Nick Saban scheme and tough SEC.
Frank Coyle is a long time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe etc for the past 18 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.
College Football Mondays
2011-12 College Football Bowl Schedule
Bowl / Location / Date / Time / Network
BCS National Championship Game
No. 1 LSU vs. No. 2 Alabama
New Orleans - Louisiana Superdome
Jan. 9, 8:30 p.m. - ESPN
2011-12 College Football Bowl Schedule
Photo – WR Rueben Randle – LSU
Gildan New Mexico
Temple vs. Wyoming - Albuquerque, N.M.
Dec. 17, 2 p.m. ESPN
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Ohio vs. Utah State - Boise, Idaho
Dec. 17, 5:30 p.m. ESPN
R+L Carriers New Orleans
San Diego State vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
New Orleans- Superdome
Dec. 17, 9 p.m. ESPN
Beef 'O' Brady's St. Petersburg
Florida International vs. Marshall - St. Petersburg, Fla.
Tropicana Field
Dec. 20, 8 p.m. ESPN
S.D. County Credit Union
TCU vs. Louisiana Tech - San Diego
Qualcomm Stadium
Dec. 21, 8 p.m. ESPN
MAACO Las Vegas
Arizona State vs. Boise State - Las Vegas
Dec. 22, 8 p.m. ESPN
Sheraton Hawaii
Nevada vs. Southern Miss - Honolulu
Dec. 24, 8 p.m. ESPN
Independence
Missouri vs. North Carolina - Shreveport, La.
Dec. 26, 5 p.m. ESPN2
Little Caesars
Western Michigan vs. Purdue - Detroit
Ford Field Dec. 27, 4:30 p.m. ESPN
Belk
Louisville vs. NC State - Charlotte, N.C.
Bank of America Stadium
Dec. 27, 8 p.m. ESPN
Military Bowl
Toledo vs. Air Force - Washington, D.C.
RFK Stadium
Dec. 28, 4:30 p.m. ESPN
Holiday
California vs. Texas - San Diego
Qualcomm Stadium
Dec. 28, 8 p.m. ESPN
Champs Sports
Florida State vs. Notre Dame - Orlando, Fla.
Florida Citrus Bowl
Dec. 29, 5:30 p.m. ESPN
Alamo
Washington vs. Baylor - San Antonio
Alamodome
Dec. 29, 9 p.m. ESPN
Bell Helicopter Armed Forces
BYU vs. Tulsa - Dallas
Gerald J. Ford Stadium
Dec. 30, Noon ESPN
New Era Pinstripe
Rutgers vs. Iowa State - Bronx, N.Y.
Yankee Stadium
Dec. 30, 3:20 p.m. ESPN
Music City
Mississippi State vs. Wake Forest - Nashville, Tenn.
Dec. 30, 6:40 p.m. ESPN
Insight
Iowa vs. Oklahoma - Tempe, Ariz.
Sun Devil Stadium
Dec. 30, 10 p.m. ESPN
Meineke Car Care
Texas A&M vs. Northwestern - Houston
Reliant Stadium
Dec. 31, Noon ESPN
Sun
Georgia Tech vs. Utah - El Paso, Texas
Sun Bowl
Dec. 31, 2 p.m. CBS
Liberty
Cincinnati vs. Vanderbilt - Memphis, Tenn.
Liberty Bowl
Dec. 31, 3:30 p.m. ABC
Kraft Fight Hunger
Illinois vs. UCLA - San Francisco
AT&T Park
Dec. 31, 3:30 p.m. ESPN
Chick-fil-A
Virginia vs. Auburn - Atlanta
Georgia Dome
Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m. ESPN
TicketCity
Houston vs. Penn State - Dallas
Cotton Bowl
Jan. 2, Noon ESPNU
Outback
Michigan State vs. Georgia - Tampa, Fla.
Raymond James Stadium
Jan. 2, 1 p.m. ABC
Capital One
Nebraska vs. South Carolina - Orlando, Fla.
Florida Citrus Bowl
Jan. 2, 1 p.m. ESPN
Gator Bowl
Ohio State vs. Florida - Jacksonville, Fla.
EverBank Field
Jan. 2, 1 p.m. ESPN2
Rose Bowl Game
Wisconsin vs. Oregon - Pasadena, Calif.
Rose Bowl
Jan. 2, 5 p.m. ESPN
Tostitos Fiesta
Stanford vs. Oklahoma State - Glendale, Ariz.
U. of Phoenix Stadium
Jan. 2, 8:30 p.m. ESPN
Sugar
Michigan vs. Virginia Tech - New Orleans
Louisiana Superdome
Jan. 3, 8:30 p.m. ESPN
Discover Orange
West Virginia vs. Clemson - Miami
Sun Life Stadium
Jan. 4, 8:30 p.m. ESPN
AT&T Cotton
Kansas State vs. Arkansas - Arlington, Texas
Cowboys Stadium
Jan. 6, 8 p.m. FOX
BBVA Compass Bowl
SMU vs. Pittsburgh - Birmingham, Ala.
Legion Field
Jan. 7, 1 p.m. ESPN
GoDaddy.com
Arkansas State vs. Northern Illinois - Mobile, Ala.
Ladd-Peebles Stadium
Jan. 8, 9 p.m. ESPN
BCS National Championship Game
No. 1 LSU vs. No. 2 Alabama New Orleans
Louisiana Superdome
Jan. 9, 8:30 p.m. ESPN
Frank Coyle is a long time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe etc for the past 18 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.
LSU Pounds Arkansas To Claim #1 Into SEC Championship vs Georgia
'College Football Monday'
Frank Coyle's Blog Column
LSU and Houston Finish Regular Season As the Only Two Unbeatens
Offensive Player of the Week –
RB Trent Richardson - Alabama
Defensive Player of the Week
CB Tyrann Mathieu - LSU
Photo - RB Trent Richardson - Alabama
The final full week of the regular 2011 season is complete with conference championship games on the agenda this week. LSU continues to establish themselves as the #1 club with an impressive 41-17 win over Arkansas after trailing 14-0 in the second quarter. The Tigers are a powerhouse who meets a hot Georgia team this week in the SEC title game. The Bulldogs have won 10 consecutive games since opening the season with two losses. LSU gained their composure vs Arkansas and drilled them with another display of power and speed that has dominated their competition against probably the toughest schedule in the nation. LSU appears headed for a rematch with Alabama who lost their only game to the Tigers 9-6 in early November. Alabama dominated Auburn in their finale to complete an excellent 11-1 season, though only good for second place in the SEC West that is occupied by LSU and Arkansas. Those three clubs ranked 1-3 entering last weekend with LSU and Alabama holding the top two spots while Arkansas fell back in the top ten.
LSU relied on a power ground game and some big plays from QB Jordan Jefferson and corner Tyrann Mathieu to blitz the Hogs. Jefferson had his best game of the season and gets the starting nod from here on thru the BCS bowl games. Mathieu may be the best defensive player in the nation after another outstanding performance. ‘Honey Badger’ has a great nose for the ball and packs a wallop when he gets there to force turnovers. In the key win over Arkansas, he had a team-best eight solo tackles, forced two fumbles and recovered one as the top-ranked Tigers completed their regular season undefeated. Mathieu added a 92-yard punt return for a TD as LSU remained undefeated (12-0, 8-0 in SEC West) and earned a spot in next week’s SEC Championship Game.
Alabama running back Trent Richardson rushed for a career-high 203 yards (on 27 carries) as the second-ranked Crimson Tide defeated Auburn, 42-14, in the Iron Bowl. Richardson added a five-yard touchdown reception as Alabama improved to 11-1, 7-1 in the SEC West. Richardson is one of the top Heisman Trophy candidates entering the final weekend where he will sit out waiting for the Tides feat in the postseason.
Michigan finally beat Ohio St. 40-34 that snapped a 7 game losing streak to their archrival. Michigan QB Denard Robinson accounted for 5 TDs as the Wolverines finished 10-2. Robinson ran for 170 yards on 26 carries, in addition to going 14 of 17 for 167 yards in a terrific overall performance. The Michigan win was huge for first year coach Brady Hoke who will lead the Wolverines in a top tier bowl matchup. Ohio St. named Urban Meyers their new head coach on Monday. The former Florida head coach sat out this year due to minor medical issues. He lead the Gators to two national championships and returns to Ohio St. where he was an assistant coach prior to starting his head coaching career at Bowling Green.
UCLA ran into the Trojans in their cross town rivalry. QB Matt Barkley has been in a zone for weeks and torched the Bruins 50-0. Barkley went 35 of 42 for 423 yards and 6 TDs that ended the Trojans season at 10-2. The Trojans are under NCAA suspension for any postseason activity, though they would rank in the top ten easily if eligible. Barkley had an outstanding season and closed with as impressive a run as any player in the nation, though any Heisman talk was most likely too little too late. UCLA finished 6-6 and earned a berth in the Pac 12’s first championship game vs Oregon. Figure that out.
Houston finished undefeated that ranks them in the top ten. QB Case Keenum broke school, conference and NCAA records weekly over the final months that might earn an invite to the Heisman Trophy presentation. Where Houston falls in the bowl season will be interesting with their perfect record intact entering the CUSA title game vs Southern Miss. They hope to possibly challenging for the BCS title if LSU loses over their final two games.
Cincinnati's Isaiah Pead had two punt returns for 54 yards, nine receptions for 112 yards and a TD, and 17 carries for 80 yards and a TD in a 30-13 win over Syracuse on Nov. 26. He finished with 246 all-purpose yards in the game. Pead's performance helped keep the Bearcats alive for a Big East Championship and a BCS bowl berth.
Georgia's Brandon Boykin had an impressive showing against Georgia Tech over the weekend. Boykin will face off with LSU this weekend in the Southeastern Conference Championship game in Atlanta, Georgia. Boykin caught one pass for 28 yards, returned two punts for 4 yards and returned one kick for 60 yards in a 31-17 win over Georgia Tech. On defense Boykin recorded two total tackles, including assisting on a tackle for loss.
The BCS matchup for #1 appears headed for a rematch of LSU and Alabama after last weekend. LSU prevailed 9-6 earlier this season on the road that earned them a huge lead for the #1 ranking entering the final months. They win the SEC West division in the conference that has dominated the national title for five consecutive seasons.
This Week’s Top Games
#1 LSU vs #12 Georgia
#11 Michigan St vs #15 Wisconsin
#7 Houston vs #24 Southern Miss
#5 Virginia Tech vs #21 Clemson
New Weekly Top 25 Polls Posted every Tuesday
Frank Coyle writes ‘College Football Monday’ weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He is also a member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc. He is a voter for weekly Team and Player Awards
LSU Pounds Arkansas To Stand At #1
'College Football Monday'
Frank Coyle's Blog Column
LSU and Houston Finish Regular Season As the Only Two Unbeatens
Offensive Player of the Week –
RB Trent Richardson - Alabama
Defensive Player of the Week
CB Tyrann Mathieu - LSU
Photo - RB Trent Richardson - Alabama
The final full week of the regular 2011 season is complete with conference championship games on the agenda this week. LSU continues to establish themselves as the #1 club with an impressive 41-17 win over Arkansas after trailing 14-0 in the second quarter. The Tigers are a powerhouse who meets a hot Georgia team this week in the SEC title game. The Bulldogs have won 10 consecutive games since opening the season with two losses. LSU gained their composure vs Arkansas and drilled them with another display of power and speed that has dominated their competition against probably the toughest schedule in the nation. LSU appears headed for a rematch with Alabama who lost their only game to the Tigers 9-6 in early November. Alabama dominated Auburn in their finale to complete an excellent 11-1 season, though only good for second place in the SEC West that is occupied by LSU and Arkansas. Those three clubs ranked 1-3 entering last weekend with LSU and Alabama holding the top two spots while Arkansas fell back in the top ten.
LSU relied on a power ground game and some big plays from QB Jordan Jefferson and corner Tyrann Mathieu to blitz the Hogs. Jefferson had his best game of the season and gets the starting nod from here on thru the BCS bowl games. Mathieu may be the best defensive player in the nation after another outstanding performance. ‘Honey Badger’ has a great nose for the ball and packs a wallop when he gets there to force turnovers. In the key win over Arkansas, he had a team-best eight solo tackles, forced two fumbles and recovered one as the top-ranked Tigers completed their regular season undefeated. Mathieu added a 92-yard punt return for a TD as LSU remained undefeated (12-0, 8-0 in SEC West) and earned a spot in next week’s SEC Championship Game.
Alabama running back Trent Richardson rushed for a career-high 203 yards (on 27 carries) as the second-ranked Crimson Tide defeated Auburn, 42-14, in the Iron Bowl. Richardson added a five-yard touchdown reception as Alabama improved to 11-1, 7-1 in the SEC West. Richardson is one of the top Heisman Trophy candidates entering the final weekend where he will sit out waiting for the Tides feat in the postseason.
Michigan finally beat Ohio St. 40-34 that snapped a 7 game losing streak to their archrival. Michigan QB Denard Robinson accounted for 5 TDs as the Wolverines finished 10-2. Robinson ran for 170 yards on 26 carries, in addition to going 14 of 17 for 167 yards in a terrific overall performance. The Michigan win was huge for first year coach Brady Hoke who will lead the Wolverines in a top tier bowl matchup. Ohio St. named Urban Meyers their new head coach on Monday. The former Florida head coach sat out this year due to minor medical issues. He lead the Gators to two national championships and returns to Ohio St. where he was an assistant coach prior to starting his head coaching career at Bowling Green.
UCLA ran into the Trojans in their cross town rivalry. QB Matt Barkley has been in a zone for weeks and torched the Bruins 50-0. Barkley went 35 of 42 for 423 yards and 6 TDs that ended the Trojans season at 10-2. The Trojans are under NCAA suspension for any postseason activity, though they would rank in the top ten easily if eligible. Barkley had an outstanding season and closed with as impressive a run as any player in the nation, though any Heisman talk was most likely too little too late. UCLA finished 6-6 and earned a berth in the Pac 12’s first championship game vs Oregon. Figure that out.
Houston finished undefeated that ranks them in the top ten. QB Case Keenum broke school, conference and NCAA records weekly over the final months that might earn an invite to the Heisman Trophy presentation. Where Houston falls in the bowl season will be interesting with their perfect record intact entering the CUSA title game vs Southern Miss. They hope to possibly challenging for the BCS title if LSU loses over their final two games.
Cincinnati's Isaiah Pead had two punt returns for 54 yards, nine receptions for 112 yards and a TD, and 17 carries for 80 yards and a TD in a 30-13 win over Syracuse on Nov. 26. He finished with 246 all-purpose yards in the game. Pead's performance helped keep the Bearcats alive for a Big East Championship and a BCS bowl berth.
Georgia's Brandon Boykin had an impressive showing against Georgia Tech over the weekend. Boykin will face off with LSU this weekend in the Southeastern Conference Championship game in Atlanta, Georgia. Boykin caught one pass for 28 yards, returned two punts for 4 yards and returned one kick for 60 yards in a 31-17 win over Georgia Tech. On defense Boykin recorded two total tackles, including assisting on a tackle for loss.
The BCS matchup for #1 appears headed for a rematch of LSU and Alabama after last weekend. LSU prevailed 9-6 earlier this season on the road that earned them a huge lead for the #1 ranking entering the final months. They win the SEC West division in the conference that has dominated the national title for five consecutive seasons.
This Week’s Top Games
#1 LSU vs #12 Georgia
#11 Michigan St vs #15 Wisconsin
#7 Houston vs #24 Southern Miss
#5 Virginia Tech vs #21 Clemson
New Weekly Top 25 Polls Posted every Tuesday
Frank Coyle writes ‘College Football Monday’ weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He is also a member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc. He is a voter for weekly Team and Player Awards
LSU Stands Alone at Top With Arkansas Coming To Baton Rouge
'College Football Monday'
Frank Coyle's Blog Column
Offensive Player of the Week –
QB Matt Barkley - USC
Defensive Player of the Week
LB Terrell Manning - N.C. St.
Photo - QB Matt Barkley - Southern Cal
The top ten in the BCS standings took a major shakeup as four highly ranked clubs, Oklahoma St., Oregon, Oklahoma and Clemson all fell this past weekend. Oklahoma St. got shocked by Iowa St. on Friday night 37-31 in double overtime. Oregon ran into a Trojan buzzsaw named QB Matt Barkley who lead a thrilling Southern Cal 38-35 victory. Oklahoma fell at the hands of Baylor with QB Robert Griffin toasting the Sooners for 479 yards and 4 TD passes. North Carolina St hammered Clemson 37-13, their second loss in three games. The widespread losses among top ten clubs opened up spots for undefeated Houston and Arkansas to move up quickly in the rankings.
Arkansas can throw the BCS quest for #1 into total disarray this Friday when they face top ranked LSU in their season finale. Arkansas unfortunately plays in the SEC West division that also is manned by LSU and Alabama, possibly the best two clubs in the nation. The SEC West division rank #1,2 and 3 this week, a testimony to the incredible talent in the SEC and West division in particular. Arkansas is the hottest team in the country behind QB Tyler Wilson. They have won 7 consecutive games since their September loss to Alabama. Their suspect defense has improved significantly over the past two months and has them competing for a BCS bowl appearance. If LSU wins this Friday they will play Georgia in the SEC title game. Georgia has won nine straight games since losing their first two contests this season. The streak has moved them into the top 15 in every poll with their rivalry game with Georgia Tech their finale prior to the SEC championship game.
The BCS matchup for #1 appears headed for a rematch of LSU and Alabama. That will wait until those team’s finales vs Arkansas and Auburn this week and then the tough SEC title game. LSU prevailed 9-6 earlier this season on the road that earned them a huge lead for the #1 ranking entering the final months. They hold the lead in the SEC West division in the conference that has dominated the national title for five consecutive seasons.
The ranks of the unbeatens fell to just two clubs with Houston finally joining the top ten after another easy CUSA victory over SMU. They finally play a ranked opponent in their finale this week in Tulsa that will be test their perfect season. Stanford, Oklahoma St and Virginia Tech rank in the top 5 clubs in every poll with key finales set for this weekend. The Cardinal meets Notre Dame in a huge intersectional matchup while OSU and Va Tech meets rivals Oklahoma and Virginia that could shakeup the top ten again in tough matchups.
Southern Cal QB Matt Barkley had an impressive performance in the Trojans huge 38-35 win over Oregon. With Southern Cal on NCAA probation for violations the Oregon game was the Trojans unofficial conference title game. At 9-2 this season and only cross town rival UCLA left on the schedule, the Trojans staff has done a great job keeping this club focused on the upcoming matchup. Beating Oregon and Notre Dame were solid victories to build on in the off season. Barkley is only a junior and a player who is capable of taking this program to the elite status. His fast development ranks him just behind Andrew Luck among NFL prospects.
Baylor’s QB Robert Griffin continues to impress in big game situations. Griffin had a huge game in the Bears huge win over Oklahoma. He toasted the Sooners secondary continuously, in addition to key scrambles that had the Oklahoma defense guessing all game. Both Barkley and Griffin earned Heisman Trophy consideration off strong late season games. The Heisman race is interesting this year, as every major candidate has had at least one ordinary game that has kept the award a wide open contest.
This Week’s Top Games
#1 LSU vs #3 Arkansas
#4 Stanford vs #22 Notre Dame
#8 Houston vs #24 Tulsa
#12 South Carolina vs #15 Clemson
#2 Alabama vs Auburn
New Weekly Top 25 Polls Posted every Tuesday
Frank Coyle writes ‘College Football Monday’ weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He is also a member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc. He is a voter for weekly Team and Player Awards
'College Football Monday'
Frank Coyle's Blog Column
LSU and Oklahoma St. Win Huge Thrillers for SEC and Big 12 Leadership
Offensive Player of the Week – QB Brandon Weeden – Oklahoma St
Defensive Player of the Week - LB Danny Trevathan - Kentucky
Photo – QB Brandon Weeden - Oklahoma St
The matchup between #1 LSU and #2 Alabama became everything advertised if you like defensive football. Both clubs displayed physical dominant defenses that controlled the line of scrimmage that turned the classic into a field goal contrest that went into overtime. LSU prevailed 9-6 on the road that earns them a huge lead for the #1 ranking entering the final month of the regular season. They have the lead in the SEC West division to win the conference title that has dominated the national title five consecutive seasons.
The ranks of the unbeatens fell to just 5 clubs with the Alabama loss. Oklahoma St. remained perfect winning a Big 12 thriller vs once beaten Kansas St. 52-45. QB Brandon Weeden threw for a school record 502 yards vs the soft KSU secondary. What a contrast the two highly anticipated SEC and Big 12 clashes were with 15 total points scored by LSU/Alabama vs 97 points in the OSU/ KSU explosion.
Stanford, Oklahoma St and Boise St rank in the top 5 clubs in every poll with perfect records. Each face a major test this week. The Cardinal meets Oregon in a huge Pac 12 matchup while OSU meets upset minded Texas Tech and Boise St faces TCU.
All-American QB Case Keenum set another new NCAA career passing record. He moved past former Hawaiii QB Timmy Chang when he passed for 407 yards that eclipsed the record of 17,072 yards passing. Keenum continues his recovery from an early 2010 knee injury that cost him the season. He has the Cougars positioned to cause a major BCS uproar if they run their soft CUSA schedule. They are currently 9-0 while averaging 62 points per game over the last four games under the direction of Keenum.
LB Danny Trevathan of Kentucky had yet another monster game in Saturday's 30-13 win over Ole Miss. Trevathan collected 17 tackles, tying his career high, including an assisted tackle
for loss. He also had his fourth pass interception of the season, including his third-consecutive game with a pickoff. He wins our Defensive Player of the Week award.
Texas improved to (6-2, 3-2 in Big 12) with an impressive victory over Texas Tech. The Longhorns pounded the TT defense with 439 yards on the ground behind runners Joe Bergeron and Fozzy Whittaker. The victory makes Texas bowl eligible this postseason after missing out last year for the first time since the 1997 season. The Longhorns completed just two passes while building a 31-6 halftime lead.
Frank Coye’s Lombardi Award Semifinalists Vote – November 7th
1 Matt Kalil - Offensive Tackle, USC, 6-7, 295, Jr.
2 Melvin Ingram - Defensive End, South Carolina, 6-2, 276, Sr.
3 Jonathan Martin - Offensive Tackle, Stanford, 6-6, 304, Sr.
4 Vinny Curry - Defensive End, Marshall, 6-4, 263, Sr.
This week
#2 Stanford vs #6 Oregon and #5 Boise St vs #24 Texas Christian are two of the top marquee matchups the upcoming weekend.
New Weekly Top 25 Polls Posted every Tuesday
Frank Coyle writes ‘College Football Monday’ weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He is also a member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc. He is a voter for weekly Team and Player Awards
QBs Andrew Luck, Kellen Moore & Robert Griffin Top 2011 Maxwell Award Semifinalists
Photo - QB Kellen Moore - Boise St.
2011 Maxwell and Bednarik Award Semifinalists
Maxwell Football Club President, Ron Jaworski, announced the 2011 Semifinalists for the 75th Maxwell Award for the Collegiate Player of the Year and the 17th Chuck Bednarik Award for the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year. The respective lists include a field of 16 candidates for the Maxwell and Bednarik Awards as selected by the Maxwell Football Club Advisory Committee.
Wisconsin's Russell Wilson, Houston's Case Keenum and Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles, who lead the nation in passing efficiency, total offense and receiving yards respectively, highlight the Maxwell nominations. Blackmon is one of five nominees from the Big 12 conference. On the defensive side of the ball, Boston College's Luke Kuechly and Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus, the FBS leaders in tackles and sacks respectively, head the nominees for the Bednarik Award. Alabama defensive back Mark Barron is one of six Bednarik nominees from the Southeastern Conference.
Last season, the Maxwell Award went to Cam Newton from Auburn University while the Bednarik went to conference-mate Patrick Peterson of LSU. Newton and Peterson now suit up for the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals respectively.
The winners of the 75th Maxwell Award and the 17th Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN College Football Awards Show Powered by the Home Depot on December 8, 2011. Three finalists for each award will be announced on November 21, 2011 and a second round of voting will take place at that time. The formal presentation of these awards will be made at the Maxwell Football Club's Awards Dinner on Friday, March 2, 2012 at the Harrah's Entertainment Complex in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Semifinalist voting for both of the collegiate awards presented by the Maxwell Football Club will begin on Tuesday, November 1st and close on Sunday November 20th. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA Head Football Coaches, Sports Information Directors and selected national media.
All Semifinalists are listed in alphabetical order with the player's school, position and class designated.
2011 Maxwell Award Semifinalists
Player / Class / Pos / College
Matt Barkley - Jr - QB - Southern Cal
Justin Blackmon - Jr - WR - Oklahoma St University
Tajh Boyd - So - QB - Clemson University
Ryan Broyles - Sr - WR - University of Oklahoma
Robert Griffin, III - Jr - QB - Baylor University
LaMichael James - Jr - RB - University of Oregon
Landry Jones - Jr - QB - University of Oklahoma
Case Keenum - Sr - QB - University of Houston
Andrew Luck - Sr - QB - Stanford University
Kellen Moore - Sr - QB - Boise St University
Chris Polk - Jr - RB - University of Washington
Trent Richardson - Jr - RB - University of Alabama
Brandon Weeden - Sr - QB - Oklahoma St University
Russell Wilson - Sr - QB - University of Wisconsin
David Wilson - Jr - RB - Virginia Tech University
Robert Woods - So - WR - Southern Cal
DraftInsiders.com has 300 in-depth Scouting Reports on many prospects in our Pro Prospect Preview 2011 - 300 Scouting Reports - Available Now - Order Today
2011 Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalists
Player / Class / Pos / College
Mark Barron - Sr - DB - University of Alabama
Arthur Brown - Jr - LB - Kansas St University
Vontaze Burfict - Jr - LB - Arizona St University
Morris Claiborne - Jr - DB - Louisiana St University
Lavonte David - Sr - LB - University of Nebraska
Dont'a Hightower - Jr - LB - University of Alabama
Melvin Ingram - Sr - DL- University of South Carolina
Luke Kuechly - Jr - LB - Boston College
Tyrann Mathieu - So - DB - Louisiana St University
Whitney Mercilus - Jr - DL - Unviersity of Illinois
Sean Spence - Sr - LB - University of Miami
Devon Still - Sr - DL - Penn St University
Manti Te'o - Jr - LB - University of Notre Dame
Chase Thomas - Sr - LB - Stanford University
Courtney Upshaw - Sr - LB - University of Alabama
Jerel Worthy - Jr - DL - Michigan St University
Frank Coyle is a long time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe etc for the past 18 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.
