Dear Readers,
I decided to give out game balls and helmet stickers to players who played great this week like I used to-since there were only ten NCAA Division I FBS college football games being played this weekend, which were all conference championship games this past weekend.
The college football playoff committee has spoken. I know my vote doesn’t count as official but the top four in my top ten rankings would be my selection for who I vote in for the tenth annual college football playoffs. Undefeated Florida State should’ve never been denied a semi-final playoff berth (in the Rose or Sugar Bowl) in the college football playoffs because of their body of work from this season.
If you look at who the award finalists are, the most disappointing is Notre Dame S Xavier Watts, who should’ve been a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. This Omaha, NE resident leads the nation with 7 INTs-how could be left off? This three-star recruit produced 2 INTs in home wins over USC and Pittsburgh, which were all seen on NBC. That is a travesty and injustice when it comes to a committee of voters who don’t choose a worthy candidate to be a finalist for a national position award. It happened to the DB corp of this Fighting Irish defense back in 2018. In that season, All-American CB Julian Love produced 61 tackles, 1 INT, 3 fumble recoveries, and 15 PBUs prior to the semi-final loss against eventual National Champions Clemson in the Cotton Bowl. But I know people like the EICH are happy that he won a national defensive player of the year award (Nagurski).
Happy Holidays to you all! Sincerely, RICH
RICH’S WEEKLY HEISMAN TROPHY BALLOT
1. Michael Penix Jr, QB, Washington
(Pac-12 Championship Game MVP. Passed 27-39, 319 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT in the UW Huskies’ 34-31 Pac-12 Championship Game win over rival Oregon. His 307 completions, 4,218 yards, and 32 TDs are second-most for a single-season among these passing categories in school history. His 64 career passing TDs are third-most in school history. His 4,218 passing yards lead the nation.)
2. Kimani Vidal, RB, Troy
(SBC Offensive Player of the Year. SBC Championship Game MVP. Rushed 26 carries, 233 yards, and 5 TDs of 7,36,2,6, and 49 in the Trojans’ 49-23 home-finale win over Appalachian State in the SBC Championship Game. His 5 rushing TDs is a single-game school record. His 7 games with 100 rushing yards is a single-season school record. His 3,931 career rushing yards is a school record and eighth-most in SBC history.)
3. Kaidon Salter, QB, Liberty
(C-USA Championship Game MVP. 484 total offensive yards and 3 TDs responsible for in the Flames’ 49-35 home-finale win over New Mexico State in the C-USA Championship Game. Passed 20-25, 319 yards, and 2 TDs. Rushed 12 carries, 165 yards, and 1 TD of 35 yards. Also had a 52-yard carry. His 484 total offensive yards are second-most for a single-game in school history. His 43 TDs responsible for, including 31 passing TDs, is a single-season school record. His 3,814 total offensive yards lead C-USA and ninth nationally.)
RICH’S TOP TEN
1. Michigan
2. Washington (4)
3. Florida State
4. Texas (6)
5. Alabama (7)
6. Ohio State (8)
7. Georgia (2)
8. Oregon (5)
9. Oklahoma (10)
10. Liberty (OTM)
OTHER TEAMS TO MENTION (OTM):
Missouri, James Madison, Penn State, Mississippi, SMU, Miami (OH), and Troy
RANKINGS ANALYSIS:
The CFB playoff committee has spoken but I will give out my top ten rankings anyway…As you can see, the SEC Championship Game created a shake-up in my top ten rankings…The biggest elephant in our room is Alabama, who moved up from #7 to #5, defeated then-undefeated Georgia, who moved down from #2 to #7, in the SEC Championship Game. I was not surprised that the Crimson Tide would beat the UGA Bulldogs in this defacto-1st round playoff game. This loss cost this Georgia football team a chance to three-peat as national champions and ended their 29-game winning streak, which is a school and SEC record and also was the longest active winning streak in the nation. This win for the Crimson Tide would give the playoff committee something to think about…Michigan remains ranked #1 after a 26-0 neutral-site win (in Indianapolis, IN) over Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game. I am not surprised that the UM Wolverines had a shutout win over the Hawkeyes, who don’t have much offensive firepower. Will this third time be a charm for this football team (under Head Coach Jim Harbaugh) to win a semi-final bowl game and finally play in the playoff final? Michigan will play SEC Champions Alabama in the Rose Bowl, which will be a semi-final playoff game….Florida State remains ranked #3 in my rankings after a tough as expected 16-6 neutral-site win over Louisville, who was among my OTMs last week, in the ACC Championship Game. I had to keep the FSU Seminoles ranked #3 because this football team remains undefeated and their defensive players can make things happen. Florida State, who is also ranked #3 in the AFCA Coaches’ Poll, will play Georgia in the Orange Bowl. Maybe if the ‘Noles remain as the only undefeated team from a power conference, who can blame them for deeming themselves national champions just like UCF did after the 2017 season was over?…I had to move Washington up from #4 to #2 after a 34-31 neutral-site win (in Las Vegas, NV) over Oregon. who moved down from #5 to #8, in the Pac-12 Championship Game because of Florida State’s performance in their ACC Championship Game win over Louisville. It was a degree of high difficulty (including being unforgiving) for the UW Huskies to beat the Ducks for a second time this season. That first match in which Washington had a rematch home win over Oregon on October 14 was a preview of what would eventually happen in this rematch for the Pac-12 championship and a berth in a semi-final playoff game. The one thing that still makes me iffy about this football team is that Washington almost blew a 20-3 and allowed Oregon to have a 24-20 lead before the Huskies can have a comeback win over the Ducks. If Oregon QB Bo Nix had to leave this game because of an injury, it would be game, set, match for this Washington football team, who is ranked #2 in the nation… I am so glad for Texas, who moved up from #6 to #4 in my rankings, to be among the four teams in the college football playoffs this season. This season is the best season the UT Longhorns have had during this playoff era (2014-present) with a 12-1 mark, including a 34-24 road win over eventual SEC Champions Alabama, this season. This football team is coming off a 49-21 neutral-site win (in Arlington, TX) over Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship Game, which will mark their fourth Big 12 Championship in their last season as members of the Big 12 before they start playing in the SEC next season. Texas will play Washington for a second straight season in a bowl game, which will be a semi-final playoff game in the Sugar Bowl….Ohio State moved up from #6 to #8 after the regular season for the OSU Buckeyes came to an end while awaiting who they will play in a New Year’s Six major bowl game. This football team moved up a couple spots after Georgia and Oregon lost in their respective conference championship games. Ohio State will play Missouri, who has been among my OTMs for two straight weeks, in the Cotton Bowl…. A couple teams were added to the very end of my top ten rankings after SMU had a 26-14 upset road win over Tulane in the AAC Championship Game. After that game, I decided to remove the Green Wave from my rankings and I decided not add them among my OTMs because of that disappointing loss against the Mustangs, who I added among my OTMs and are on a current eight-game winning streak. Oklahoma moved up from #10 to #9 after the regular season for the Sooners came to an end while awaiting who they will play in a bowl game, which will be playing Arizona in the Alamo Bowl. I chose to move Liberty up from among my OTMs to #10 in my rankings after a 49-35 rematch home-finale win over New Mexico State (in the C-USA Championship Game) to be the only non-power conference team who is undefeated. This win helped the Flames become the first-ever C-USA team to have a 13-0 start. This Liberty football team will play Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl….James Madison remains among my OTMs after being forced to sit out of the SBC Championship Game because of NCAA transitional rules, which wouldn’t allow them to participate in postseason games for their first few seasons after moving from one division (I FCS) to another division (I FBS). This past SUN, the NCAA decided to allow the JMU Dukes to play in a bowl game after they realized there aren’t enough teams to fill berths in a bowl game. This football team will play Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl…I decided to add Miami (OH) among my OTMs after a 23-14 neutral-site win (in Detroit, MI) over Toledo, who was among my OTMs in the last three weeks, in the MAC Championship Game. This loss ended an 11-game winning streak for the UT Rockets while the Redhawks are on a current five-game winning streak. Miami (OH) will play Appalachian State in the Cure Bowl while Toledo will look to regroup for their bowl game against Wyoming in the Arizona Bowl… Penn State and Mississippi remain among my OTMs after the regular season came to an end while awaiting who they will play in a New Year’s Six major bowl game. The Nittany Lions and the Ole Miss Rebels are on a current two-game winning streak after losing to their respective opponents on Nov.11. Low and behold, these two football teams will play each other in the Peach Bowl in which the winning team will end this season with an 11-2 mark, including a current three-game winning streak….I decided to add Troy among my OTMs after a 49-23 home-finale win over Appalachian State (in the SBC Championship Game) to remain on a current ten-game winning streak. The Trojans, who are back-to-back SBC Champions (2022-23), have been overlooked after a 1-2 start but are for real. This football team will play Duke in the Birmingham Bowl…ENJOY THE UPCOMING BOWL GAMES!!!
GAMEBALLS and HELMET STICKERS
Washington RB Dillon Johnson- Rushed 28 carries, 153 yards, and 2 TDs (5 and 1) in the UW Huskies’ 34-31 neutral-site win over rival Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Also had an 18-yard carry.
Washington WR Jalen McMillan- Received 9 catches for 131 yards, including a 45-yard catch, in the Huskies’ Pac-12 Championship Game win over Oregon.
Washington WR Rome Odunze- Received 8 catches for 102 yards, including a 34-yard catch, in the Huskies’ Pac-12 Championship Game win over Oregon. His 1,428 receiving yards are second-most for a single-season in school history and ninth-most in Pac-12 history. His 203 catches and 3,060 yards are second-most among these career receiving categories in school history. His 1,428 receiving yards lead the Pac-112 and second nationally.
Washington LB Bralen Trice- Produced 4 tackles (3 solo), 1 PBU, and 4 QB hurries in the Huskies’ Pac-12 Championship Game win over Oregon.
Washington CB Mishael Powell- Produced 3 tackles (all solo), 1 INT (3 yards), and 1 QB hurry in the Huskies’ Pac-12 Championship Game win over Oregon.
Oregon QB Bo Nix- 308 total offensive yards in the Ducks’ Pac-12 Championship Game loss against rival Washington. Passed 21-34, 239 yards, 3 TDs, and 1 INT. Rushed 6 carries for 69 yards, including a 44-yard carry. His 46 TDs responsible for is a single-season school record and sixth-most in Big 12 history.
Oregon NB Tysheem Johnson- Produced 9 tackles (7 solo), 1 TFL, 1 PBU, and 2 QB hurries in the Ducks’ Pac-12 Championship Game loss against Washington.
Alabama CB Terrion Arnold- Produced 6 tackles (led team; 5 solo) and 1 PBU in the Crimson Tide’s 27-24 neutral-site win (in Atlanta, GA) over Georgia in the SEC Championship Game.
Alabama LB Trezmen Marshall- Produced 5 tackles (4 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 fumble recovery in the Crimson Tide’s SEC Championship Game win over Georgia.
Alabama P James Burnip- Had 5 punts with 46.6 yards per punt in the Crimson Tide’s SEC Championship Game win over Georgia. Had 3 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 39-yard punt landing on the 6-yard line.
Georgia S Malaki Starks- Produced 8 tackles (co-led team; 6 solo) and 1 PBU in the UGA Bulldogs’ SEC Championship Game loss against Alabama.
Georgia LB Jalon Walker- Produced 2 tackles (all solo), 2 TFLs/sacks, and 1 QB hurry in the Bulldogs’ SEC Championship Game loss against Alabama.
Florida State RB Lawrence Toafili- ACC Championship Game MVP. Rushed 10 carries, 118 yards, and 1 TD (from 2 yards out) in the FSU Seminoles’ 16-6 neutral-site win (in Charlotte, N.C) over Louisville in the ACC Championship Game.
The Florida State defense- Held the Louisville offense to 188 total yards (including 111 passing yards) in the Seminoles’ ACC Championship Game win over Louisville. Also produced 14 TFLs (including 7 sacks) and 11 passes defended (including 10 PBUs).
Florida State DT Braden Fiske- Produced 9 tackles (led team; 5 solo), 4 TFLs, 3 sacks, and 2 QB hurries in the Seminoles’ ACC Championship Game win over Louisville.
Florida State DE Jared Verse- Produced 6 tackles (5 solo), 3 TFLs, 2 sacks, and 1 QB hurry in the Seminoles’ ACC Championship Game win over Louisville.
Florida State DE Patrick Payton- Produced 7 tackles (6 solo), 2 TFLs. 1 sack, 1 PBU, and 2 QB hurries in the Seminoles’ ACC Championship Game win over Louisville.
Florida State DT Fabien Lovett- Produced 2 tackles (1 solo), 1 TFL/sack, and 2 PBUs in the Seminoles’ ACC Championship Game win over Louisville.
Florida State CB Renardo Green- Produced 3 PBUs in the Seminoles’ ACC Championship Game win over Louisville.
Michigan NB Mike Sainristil- Big Ten Championship Game MVP. Produced 2 tackles (all solo), 1 TFL/sack, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 PBU in the UM Wolverines’ 26-0 neutral-site win (in Indianapolis, IN) over Iowa.
Michigan LB Junior Colson- Produced 8 tackles (co-led team; 4 solo) and 2 PBUs in the Wolverines’ Big Ten Championship Game win over Iowa.
Michigan PK James Turner- Scored 14 points in the Wolverines’ Big Ten Championship Game win over Iowa. Scored on all 4 FG (including a 50-yard FG) and 2 XPK attempts.
Michigan DE Braiden McGregor- Produced 2 tackles (all solo), 1 TFL/sack, 1 forced fumble, and 2 QB hurries in the Wolverines’ Big Ten Championship Game win over Iowa.
Texas QB Quinn Ewers- Big 12 Championship Game MVP. Passed 35-46. 452 yards, 4 TDs, and 1 INT in the UT Longhorns’ 49-21 neutral-site win (in Arlington, TX) over Oklahoma State. Had 354 passing yards and 4 TDs in 1st half. His 452 passing yards is a Big 12 Championship Game record.
Texas WR Adonai Mitchell- Received 6 catches, 109 yards, and 1 TD (10 on 1st series) in the Longhorns’ Big 12 Championship Game win over Oklahoma State. Also had a 62-yard catch.
The Texas offensive line- Helped this offense have 662 total yards (including 464 passing yards) in the Longhorns’ Big 12 Championship Game win over Oklahoma State.
The Texas defense- Held the Oklahoma State offense to 281 total yards (including holding Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon II to 88 all-purpose running yards, such as receiving 4 catches for 54 yards, including a 22-yard catch) in the Longhorns’ Big 12 Championship Game win over Oklahoma State.
Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr– Produced 6 tackles (led team; 4 solo), 1 TFL/sack, and 1 forced fumble in the Longhorns’ Big 12 Championship Game win over Oklahoma State.
Liberty WR C.J Daniels- Received 7 catches, 157 yards, and 1 TD (20 yards) in the Flames’ 49-35 home-finale win over New Mexico State in the C-USA Championship Game. Also had a 69-yard catch.
The Liberty defense- Produced 8 passes defended (including 7 PBUs) in the Flames’ home win over New Mexico State.
Liberty S Brandon Bishop- Produced 11 tackles (led team; 6 solo) and 1 INT in the Flames’ home win over New Mexico State.
Liberty CB Kobe Singleton- Produced 1 solo tackle and 3 PBUs in the Flames’ home win over New Mexico State.
SMU QB Kevin Jennings- First career start. 266 total offensive yards in the Mustangs’ 26-14 road win over Tulane in the AAC Championship Game. Passed 19-33, 203 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs. Rushed 15 carries for 63 yards, including a 17-yard carry.
SMU PK Collin Rogers- Scored 14 points in the Mustangs’ road win over Tulane. Kicked 4-5 FGs (including a 48-yard FG) and scored on all 2 XPK attempts.
SMU S Isaiah Nwokobia- Produced 8 tackles (7 solo), 1 TFL and 1 INT (8 yards) in the Mustangs’ road win over Tulane.
SMU S Charles Woods- Produced 2 PBUs and 1 blocked punt in the Mustangs’ road win over Tulane.
SMU DE Elijah Roberts- Produced 1 solo tackle, 1 TFL/sack, and 1 PBU in the Mustangs’ road win over Tulane.
Miami (OH) LB Ty Wise- Produced 8 tackles (4 solo), 1 PBU, and 1 QB hurry in the Redhawks’ 23-14 neutral-site win (in Detroit, MI) over Toledo in the MAC Championship Game.
Miami (OH) DE Brian Ugwu- Produced 4 tackles (3 solo), 1 TFL/sack, and 1 QB hurry in the Redhawks’ MAC Championship Game win over Toledo.
Miami (OH) DT Austin Erti- Produced 3 tackles (all assisted) and 2 blocked FG attempts in the Redhawks’ MAC Championship Game win over Toledo.
Miami (OH) P Alec Bevelhimer– Had 6 punts with 46.8 yards per punt in the Redhawks’ MAC Championship win over Toledo. Had 4 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 53-yard punt landing on the 9-yard line.
Troy WR Chris Lewis- Received 3 catches, 98 yards, and 1 TD (51 yards) in the Trojans’ 49-23 home-finale win over Appalachian State in the SBC Championship Game.
Troy DE Javon Solomon- Produced 8 tackles (4 solo), 2 TFLs/sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery in the Trojans’ home win over Appalachian State.
Troy CB Don Callis- Produced 4 tackles (1 solo), 1 TFL/sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery (10 yards), and 1 PBU in the Trojans’ home win over Appalachian State.
Boise State RB Ashton Jeantry- Rushed 21 carries, 153 yards, and 1 TD (from 5 yards out) in the Broncos’ 44-20 road win over UNLV in the MW Championship Game. Also had a 50-yard carry.
Boise State QB Taylen Green- MW Championship Game Offensive MVP. 316 total offensive yards and 3 TDs responsible for in the Broncos’ road win over UNLV. Passed 12-15, 226 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT. Rushed 8 carries, 90 yards, and 1 TD (70 yards).
Boise State WR Billy Bowens- Received 4 catches for 91 yards, including a 43-yard catch, in the Broncos’ road win over UNLV.
Boise State S Alexander Teubner- MW Championship Defensive MVP. Produced 10 tackles (led team; 4 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 fumble recovery in the Broncos’ road win over UNLV.
Boise State S Ty Benefield- Produced 3 tackles (1 solo) and 3 PBUs in the Broncos’ road win over UNLV.
Boise State LB Andrew Simpson- Produced 1 solo tackle, 1 INT, and 2 PBUs in the Broncos’ road win over UNLV.
Boise State PK Jonah Dalmas- Scored 14 points in the Broncos’ road win over UNLV. Scored on all 3 FG (including a 50-yard FG) and 5 XPK attempts. His 77 career FGs scored is a school record and second-most in MW history.
