Traditional Powers Struggle; Jackson Still Miles Ahead in Heisman Race
MIDSEASON AWARDS
College football is already halfway over, and that is depressing. In the second half, there will be some clarity (at least we hope) in the College Football Playoff race. Midseason awards are pretty irrelevant, but it's a nice time to look back and summarize the first half of what has already been an exciting season. While there are some anticlimactic awards (best team), most of these awards are being given to teams who weren't expected to be in that position at all. That being said, here's a look at the 2016 TPO Midseason Awards.
Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Heisman Trophy Winner: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville----I don't really think there's been much debate at this point. Jackson may not continue his dominance of college football at such a high rate, but he's still definitely worth the price of admission. He already has 30 total touchdowns this year, and so many plays that make you wonder how someone can physically do what he just did.
Defensive Player of the Year: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M----His stats are far from flashy, but his play garners attention from offensive coordinators. Garrett constantly works against double teams and chip blocks along with teams running plays away from him. That still hasn't stopped him from influencing a game. While he may not always make the play, just watch an Aggies game. #15 may not tackle to ball carrier or sack the quarterback, but he will make them alter their path or leave the pocket just by being near that opposing player.
Coach of the Year: Chris Petersen, Washington----Washington is by far the most surprising team this year, and now has a hold of the Pac 12. After steamrolling Stanford and Oregon, Petersen has his team thinking playoff. The youth of this team hasn't shown through yet, but the Huskies will have at least one game they will struggle with. Many thought Petersen would have his team in a position to compete for the Pac 12, but not many definitively said they would be at the top at this point in the season.
Best Team: Alabama----7-0, their defense is as good as always, and their offense is outscoring the likes of Baylor, Oregon, and Houston. So, if we think about it, they have arguably the best defense and now their offense can outscore teams......how are they going to lose?
Worst Team: Rice----At 0-6, the Owls haven't had much to be excited about. If they do happen to win a game, and they might this weekend against Prairie View A&M, Kansas will take this spot. How can a Power 5 team be so bad? Lucky for them Rice is taking the spotlight....err lowlight away from them for now.
Surprise Team: Colorado----Mike McIntyre may be up for coach of the year if this success continues. The Buffs are usually a Pac 12 doormat and struggle against most competition, but this year is different and already includes a win against Oregon. The toughest part of their schedule comes in the second half of the season, but Colorado is riding momentum so far.
Disappointing team: Michigan State----Mark Dantonio teams are usually better, but are struggling this year mightily. A loss to Northwestern exposed multiple issues as they gave up 54 points, which is not normal for Dantonio's defense. He shouldn't lose his job over this season, but he needs to at least turn things around. That will be a tough task with Michigan and Ohio State still one the schedule.
Play of the year: Central Michigan Hail Mary vs Oklahoma State. While it was controversial (and shoulnd't have even occured), this play easily wins play of the year so far. WR Jesse Kroll came down with a Cooper Rush heave, and had the presence of mind as he was falling to pitch the ball back to his teammate Corey Willis, who ran it in for the touchdown. Regardless of if it was supposed to happen or not, this was a jaw-dropping play.
GROUP OF 5 TOP 4
TPO TOP 4
GOPHERS UPDATE
Record: 4-2
Last week: W, 31-10 at Maryland
This week's opponent: Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Opponent record: 2-5
Site: TCF Bank Stadium
Player to shutdown: RB Robert Martin
Outlook: USSR vs Team USA in the game before the Miracle easy. Alabama vs Kent State easy. Blowing off homework easy. Ok, you get it. Not that Minnesota deserves to overlook any team at this point, but Rutgers is really bad. That being said, the Gophers do share something in common with the Scarlet Knights: losing to Iowa 14-7. Not exactly the relationship you want to have, but that's why you need to prove why you're the better team. Rutgers lost its best playmaker to a season ending injury, so a win shouldn't be an issue. Winning at Maryland got this four game stretch off to a good start, and a blowout win against Rutgers on homecoming will keep the momentum going. This reminds me of how high school used to be, when you schedule a bad team to be your homecoming game and just kick the snot out of them (sorry, not sorry Lakeville North).
GAMES OF THE WEEK
