NCAA Coach of the Year Top 3
As we start to get to the back half of the year in college football, the Coach of the Year candidates list starts to narrow. For example, on my lists if you look at past articles, I have had Tom Herman, Mark Richt in the top 2 at times. Games always have a way of shaking things out, as they have here. That is not to say that Mark Richt or Tom Herman have not done a good job, they have, they are just not candidates for Coach of the Year. So without anymore hold up, here are the Top 3 candidates as I see them going into week 9.
1. Chris Petersen - Washington
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Chris Petersen simply has Washington setup for a shot at a National Title. They are Top 30 nationally in both offense and defense and lead the PAC 12 in yards per play. Washington has been an untapped giant for years. It is safe to say that the man who led Boise State to so many great years has let the giant loose.
2. Mike MacIntyre - Colorado
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I have said it the same way over and over, but what Mike MacIntyre is doing at Colorado is nothing short of a miracle. One conference win in 3 years entering this year, he now has the Buffs square in the mix, and some say the favorite, to win the PAC 12 South. If Colorado gets to Santa Clara and plays an undefeated Washington team, they very well could end up in the Rose Bowl regardless of the outcome.
3. Jim Harbaugh - Michigan
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21 games. That is all it has taken Jim Harbaugh to turn the mighty program at Michigan back into a winner. Forgot in Ann Arbor are the Rich Rod and Brady Hoke days. Forgot are the bad losses, the 3-8 seasons, the hiccup in their history. This Michigan man has Go Blue winning again and winning in ways that the crowds in Ann Arbor have not seen since the days of Bo.
Honorable Mention
PJ Fleck - Western Michigan
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He has Western Michigan with a chance to run the table and make a committee bowl.
Mike Riley - Nebraska
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Tough part of the schedule coming for Big Red. We will see how things shake out, but Mike Riley has Nebraska remembering days past and playing like it too.
Nick Saban - Alabama
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Yes he gets every recruit in the country and yes he has the biggest budget in the country, but the fact is he wins at a level and in games that garner this position.
