Dear Readers,
Here is something to know-Alabama’s win over then-#1 Georgia (in the SEC Championship Game) marked their tenth all-time win against a #1 ranked team (in the AP Sportswriters’ Poll). Notre Dame and Miami are tied for second place in that category with 9 all-time wins in that category.
I only had four players to think about who to choose and place in my weekly Heisman Trophy ballot. I did consider Alabama LB Will Anderson Jr, Pittsburgh WR Jordan Addison, and UTSA RB Sincere McCormick and more to name. I like McCormick and it’s too bad nobody is giving the Roadrunners their due. McCormick has played a role in helping them have a surprising 12-1 mark this season. He is the best RB nobody is talking about. Anderson is clearly the best defensive player in the country-just look at his numbers.
I forgot to bring this up last week. One of the most disappointing teams this season is Texas. During the bowl season and after that Alamo Bowl win over Colorado, the higher-ups decided to fire previous Head Coach Tom Herman from his job and fire current Head Coach Steve Sarkisian. The Longhorns blew big leads against Oklahoma (i.e: a 28-7 lead before losing 48-45) and Oklahoma State. I still can’t believe this football team was on a six-game losing streak after a 3-1 start. I still can’t believe Texas had a 57-56 to Kansas, who was on a 56-game losing streak in road games against Big 12 opponents. I am glad the ‘Horns finished this season on a high with a 22-17 comeback home-finale win over Kansas State. Coach Sark has his hands full during this bowl season to get a good recruiting class.
Congratulations to California on a 24-14 season-finale win over USC, which was a rescheduled game that was scheduled on Nov.13.This win marked the Cal Golden Bears’ first home win over USC since 2003.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Sincerely, RICH
RICH’S WEEKLY HEISMAN TROPHY BALLOT
1.Bryce Young, QB, Alabama(SEC Championship Game MVP. 461 total offensive yards and 4 TDs responsible for in the Crimson Tide’s 41-24 SEC Championship Game win over Georgia. Passed 26-44, 421 yards, and 3 TDs. Rushed 16 carries, 55 yards, and 1 TD of 11 yards. Also had an 11-yard carry. His 421 passing yards is an SEC Championship Game record and seventh-most in school history. His 327 completions, 484 attempts, and 43 TDs are single-season school records among these passing categories. His 44 career passing TDs are sixth-most in school history. His 43 passing TDs lead the SEC and second nationally.)
2. Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama(Transfer from Ohio State. Received 7 catches, 184 yards, and 2 TDs of 67 and 55 yards in the Crimson Tide’s SEC Championship Game win over Georgia. His 67-yard receiving TD is the longest passing play in SEC Championship Game history. His 1,445 receiving yards are third-most for a single-season in school history. His 15 receiving TDs lead the SEC and second nationally.)
3. Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor(Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Produced 7 tackles, 2 TFLs, and 1 QB hurry in the Bears’ Big 12 Championship Game win over Oklahoma State. His 17 TFLs are third-most for a single-season in school history. His 35 career TFLs are sixth-most in school history. His 17 TFLs lead the Big 12 and tied ninth nationally with three other defensive players.)
RICH’S TOP TEN
1. Cincinnati
2. Alabama (3)
3. Michigan (4)
4. Notre Dame (6)
5. Georgia (1)
6. Baylor (9)
7. Mississippi (10)
8. Ohio State (OTM)
9. Oklahoma State (5)
10. Oklahoma (OTM)
OTHER TEAMS TO MENTION:Louisiana, BYU, Pittsburgh, Michigan State, and Houston (7)
RANKINGS ANALYSIS:
The CFB playoff committee has spoken but I will give out my top ten rankings anyway…Alabama created a shake-up in my top ten rankings as the Crimson Tide had a 38-24 neutral-site win (in Atlanta, GA) over the-undefeated Georgia, who moved down from #1 to #5, to win their second straight SEC Championship. When ‘Bama was down 10-0 to eventually win this game. Alabama QB Bryce Young showed why he is a legit contender for the Heisman Trophy. Young found ways to shed and poke holes that highly-touted opposing defense. Even after Alabama WR John Metchie III had to leave this game with a season-ending (torn ACL) injury, Young delivered another great performance this season. Georgia should thank Baylor because if Oklahoma State won the Big 12 Championship Game, the ‘Dawgs wouldn’t be in the eighth annual college football playoffs. After Georgia lost the SEC Championship Game by 21 points, the Bulldogs shouldn’t be voted in the semi-finals..You can call me crazy but I ranked Cincinnati ranked #1 because the UC Bearcats are the last among NCAA Division I FBS teams to be undefeated. And yes, this football beat a couple quality teams to make their case, such as a 35-20 home-finale win over Houston, who was moved down from #7 to among my OTMs.. Notre Dame moved up from #7 to #4 while having a bye-week. It took teams such as Georgia and Oklahoma State to lose in their respective conference championship games for the Fighting Irish to move in my top five. I wish this football team was in the college football playoffs instead of Georgia but will play Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl…Speaking of Oklahoma State, the OSU Cowboys moved down from #9 to #5 after a 21-16 neutral-site loss (in Arlington, TX) against Baylor in the Big 12 Championship Game. Okie State, who trailed 21-3 by halftime, had one last chance to win this game over the Bears but was a yard short behind the goal line. These Pokes missed star RB Jaylen Waddle, who made the dress list but didn’t play, when they really could’ve really utilized him….Ohio State moved up back into my top ten rankings from among my OTMs to #8. I know the Buckeyes are regrouping from their 42-27 road loss against rival Michigan. This football team will defeat Pac-12 Champions Utah in the Pac-12 Championship Game and you will see what’s in store for the 2022 Ohio State football team….Oklahoma has also moved back into my top ten rankings from among my OTMs to #10. The Sooners were sitting at home after having a 33-31 road loss against in-state rival Oklahoma State, which cost them a berth in the Big 12 Championship Game and a chance to be in the college football playoffs. This football team lost Head Coach Lincoln Riley to the USC head coaching job and will have HOF Head Coach Bob Stoops coach them in their upcoming bowl game against Oregon in the Alamo Bowl…Louisiana keeps winning and winning, including a 24-16 home-finale win over Appalachian State in the SBC Championship Game. If the Ragin’ Cajuns hadn’t had a season-opening road loss against Texas, this football team would be in my top ten rankings…. BYU remains among my OTMs a week after a 35-31 road win over USC. Those October losses would eventually cost them a spot in my top ten rankings but this football team has apparently grown up from them. BYU will play UAB in the Independence Bowl… I said the winner of the ACC Championship Game would be among my OTMs if not my top ten. Pittsburgh had a 45-21 neutral-site win (in Charlotte, N.C) over Wake Forest to win their first-ever ACC Championship. After the Pitt Panthers were down 21-14, they answered back with 31 unanswered points. Pittsburgh will play Michigan State, who are back among, in the Peach Bowl. I think the Panthers will beat the MSU Spartans because the Michigan State defense has a hard time defending the pass. But I can’t count the Spartans out like I have in recent years…ENJOY THE UPCOMING BOWL GAMES!!!
GAMEBALLS and HELMET STICKERS
Baylor QB Blake Sharpen- Big 12 Championship Game MVP. Passed 23-28, 180 yards, and 3 TDs in the Bears’ 21-16 upset win over Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship Game. His 82.1 completion percentage and 17 straight completions are Big 12 Championship Game records among these passing categories.
The Baylor defense- Produced 8 TFLs (including 4 sacks) and 8 passes defended (including 4 INTs) in the Bears’ Big 12 Championship Game win over Oklahoma State.
Baylor S Jairon McVea- Produced 9 tackles (8 solo), 1 INT, 1 PBU, and 1 QB hurry in the Bears’ Big 12 Championship Game win over Oklahoma State.
Baylor LB Matt Jones- Produced 5 tackles (3 solo), 1 TFL,1 INT, 1 forced fumble, and 1 QB hurry in the Bears’ Big 12 Championship Game win over Oklahoma State.
Alabama LB Will Anderson Jr- Produced 6 tackles (3 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 sack, and 1 QB hurry in the Crimson Tide’s 41-24 SEC Championship Game win (in Atlanta, GA) over Georgia.
Alabama S DeMarcco Hellams- Produced 9 tackles (led team;6 solo), 1 INT (3 yards), and 1 PBU in the Crimson Tide’s SEC Championship Game win over Georgia.
Alabama S Jordan Battle- Produced 6 tackles (4 solo), 1 INT (42-yard TD), and 1 QB hurry in the Crimson Tide’s SEC Championship Game win over Georgia.
Cincinnati RB Jerome Ford- AAC Championship Game MVP. 204 all-purpose running yards in the UC Bearcats’ 35-20 home-finale win over Houston in the AAC Championship Game. Rushed 18 carries, 187 yards, and 2 TDs (79 and 42). Received 1 catch for 17 yards. His 20 scoring TDs tie a single-season school record (with RB Michael Warren II, 2018).
Cincinnati LB Joel Dublanko- Produced 7 tackles (4 solo), 2 TFLs/sacks, and 1 INT (9 yards) in the Bearcats’ home win over Houston.
The Michigan defense- Held the Iowa offense to 279 total yards (including 175 passing yards) in the U-M Wolverines’ 42-3 Big Ten Championship Game win (in Indianapolis, IN) over Iowa. Held Iowa RB Tyler Goodson to 50 rushing yards in 18 carries.
Michigan DE Aidan Hutchinson- Big Ten Championship Game MVP. Produced 4 tackles (1 solo), 1 TFL/sack, and 2 QB hurries in the Wolverines’ Big Ten Championship Game over Iowa. His 14 sacks is a single-season school record.
Pittsburgh S Erick Hallett III- ACC Championship Game MVP. Produced 2 tackles (all solo) and 2 INTs (including a 19-yard TD) in the Pitt Panthers’ 45-21 ACC Championship Game win (in Charlotte, N.C) over Wake Forest.
Pittsburgh LB SirVocea Dennis- Produced 12 tackles (led team;5 solo) and 2 TFLs/sacks in the Panthers’ ACC Championship Game win over Wake Forest.
Pittsburgh WR Jordan Addison- 170 all-purpose running yards in the Panthers’ ACC Championship Game win over Wake Forest. Received 8 catches for 126 yards, including a 32-yard catch. Returned 1 punt for 39 yards. His seven games with 100 receiving yards are tied second-most (with two other WRs) for a single-season in school history.
Pittsburgh P Kirk Christodoulou- Had 7 punts with 37.7 yards per punt in the Panthers’ ACC Championship Game win over Wake Forest. Had a 37-yard punt landing on the 2-yard line.
UTSA RB Sincere McCormick- C-USA Championship Game MVP. 249 all-purpose running yards in the Roadrunners’ 49-41 rematch home win over Western Kentucky in the C-USA Championship Game. Rushed 36 carries, 204 yards, and 3 TDs (2,65, and 17). Received 3 catches for 35 yards, including a 21-yard catch. His 65-yard carry is the third-longest rushing play in C-USA Championship Game history. His 3 rushing Tds tie a single-game school record. His 15 TDs and eight games with 100 are single-season school records among these rushing categories. His 724 carries, 3,929 yards, 34 TDs, and 18 games with 100 yards are school records among these career rushing categories.
UTSA QB Frank Harris- 299 total offensive yards and 3 TDs responsible for in the Roadrunners’ home win over Western Kentucky. Passed 19-28, 218 yards, and 2 TDs. Rushed 11 carries,81 yards, and 1 TD (24 yards). His 5.022 yards and 40 TDs are third-most among these career passing categories in school history.
UTSA LB Clarence Hicks- Produced 4 tackles (3 solo), 2 TFLs/sacks, and 2 QB hurries in the Roadrunners’ home win over Western Kentucky.
Louisiana LB Chauncey Mack- Produced 6 tackles (4 solo)m, 2 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 2 QB hurries in the Ragin’ Cajuns’ 24-16 home-finale win over Appalachian State in the SBC Championship Game.
Utah S Cole Bishop- Produced 8 tackles (led team; 7 solo), 1 TFL/sack, and 1 PBU in the Utes’ 38-10 neutral-site win (in Las Vegas, NV) over Utah in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
Utah State QB Logan Bonner- MW Championship Game MVP. Passed 29-42, 318 yards, 4 TDs, and 1 INT in the USU Aggies’ upset road win over San Diego State. His 4 passing TDs is a MW Championship Game record.
Utah State WR Brandon Bowling- Received 8 catches, 154 yards, and 2 TDs (58 and 18) in the Aggies’ road win over San Diego State.
The Utah State defense- Produced 6 PBUs in the Aggies’ road win over San Diego State.
Utah State LB Justin Dinich- Produced 10 tackles (co-led team;6 solo), 1 TFL/sack, and 1 QB hurry in the Aggies’ road win over San Diego State.
Northern Illinois S C.J Brown- Produced 10 tackles (co-led team; 6 solo), 1 TFL/sack, 1 INT, and 1 PBU in the NIU Huskies’ 41-23 neutral-site win (in Detroit, MI) over Kent State.
California S Daniel Scott- Produced 10 tackles (led team;8 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble in the Cal Golden Bears’ 24-14 season-finale home win over USC.
California LB Trey Paster- Produced 7 tackles (5 solo), 1 TFL, 1 fumble recovery (65-yard TD), and 1 PBU in the Golden Bears home win over USC.
