2010 College Football Preview Part 9: Predictions Abound

This will be the wrap-up... composite thoughts on awards, contenders, etc.... This is how it's shaking out.. in August, anyway

Teams with a Non-zero Chance at the National Title

Florida
Alabama
Florida State
Virginia Tech
Boise State
TCU
Ohio State
Wisconsin
Oklahoma
Texas
Nebraska
Oregon

Just Missed the cut?: Georgia (Freshman QB), Miami (Gauntlet schedule), Iowa, West Virginia, North Carolina (TJ Yates), Pitt

And that's the list... 12 teams IMO... I'd be legit shocked if anyone else won it...


Awards/All-Americans - I'm not going to insult you (or myself) by picking O-lineman position by position, kickers or punters as part of a comprehensive all-american team... so I'll go position-by-position with the "award" winners (in bold) and finalists...

• Quarterback (Davey O'Brien Award) - Ryan Mallett (ARK), Kellen Moore (Boise), Jake Locker (WASH), Andrew Luck (STAN), Terrelle Pryor (OSU), Christian Ponder (FSU)
  
• Running Back (Doak Walker) - Jacquizz Rodgers (Oregon State), Marc Ingram (Bama), Ryan Williams (VT), LaMichael James (ORE), Dion Lewis (PITT), John Clay (WISC)
  
• Wide Receiver (Fred Biletnikoff Award) - AJ Green (UGA), Julio Jones (Bama), Ryan Broyles (OU), James Rodgers (Oregon State),
  
• Tight End (John Mackey Award) - Lance Kendricks (WISC), Luke Stocker, Tennessee
  
• O-Lineman (Outland Trophy, yes I know it's not just O-line in real life) - Gabe Carimi (WISC), Justin Boren (Ohio St.), Lee Ziemba (Auburn), Mike Pouncey (Florida), Rodney Hudson (FSU)
  
• D-Lineman (Lombardi) - Marvin Austin (UNC), Jared Crick (NEB), Da'Quan Bowers (CLEM), Robert Quinn (UNC), Cameron Heyward (Ohio St.), Kenny Rowe (Oregon), Von Miller (A&M)
  
• Linebacker (Butkus) - Greg Jones (Mich. St.), Justin Houston (UGA), Carmen Messina (New Mexico), Mark Herzlich (BC), Travis Lewis (OU), JT Thomas (West VA), Mike Mohamed (Cal)
  
• D-Back (Thorpe) - Patrick Peterson (LSU), Reggie Rembert (Air Force), Tyler Sash (Iowa), Mark Barron (Bama), Ahmad Black (FL), Trevin Wade (Arizona)
  

Heisman - The biggest crapshoot of all... but here's a list of guys who have a shot...

• Winner - Terrelle Pryor - They go undefeated... he's great... and he wins it... and no, this isn't NECESSARILY a reverse jinx ploy.. Pryor is fantastic
• Finalists - Ryan Mallett, Jacquizz Rodgers, AJ Green, John Clay
  
• Just Missed - Jake Locker (not good enough team), Kellen Moore, Marc Ingram (too much split with Richardson), Christian Ponder, Dion Lewis

The lesson, as always, about the Heisman is that no one knows anything... Marc Ingram won it last year, and now could be a near time-share to save his legs, because Trent Richardson is a beast... these things happen

BCS Bowl Predictions

• Rose - Wisconsin (At-large) over USC (Pac-10)
  
• Sugar - Alabama (SEC) over Texas (At-large)
  
• Orange - Virginia Tech (ACC) over Florida (at-large)
  
• Fiesta - Oklahoma (Big 12) over Pittsburgh (Big East)
  
• National Championship Game - Ohio State over Boise State

And there you have it... this is a Terrelle Pryor/Jim Tressel year... and that definitely pains me... that said, I'm quite excited about the season... and you may see a comprehensive Michigan post in the future (that no one will read) but just gloss over it and realize that I need this (lol)... Enjoy the gridiron folks...