Dear Readers,
Illinois couldn’t have found a better hire than former Wisconsin Head Coach Bret Bielema to be their new head coach.
I want to give my congratulations to Army for winning the Commanders-IN-Chief trophy. When the time is right, the Black Knights will pay a visit to the White House and meet new President Joe Biden. And yes, Army should’ve been selected to play in a bowl game after their main bowl game (the Independence Bowl) got cancelled because of CO-VID19. The Black Knights are 9-2 and will now be playing West Virginia in the Music City Bowl.
I can’t wait to get to the bowl games to begin, including those playoff semi-final bowl games. I predict undefeated #1 Alabama will defeat Notre Dame, who is #4 in the CFB playoff committee rankings, in the Sugar Bowl. Clemson will defeat undefeated Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, which has moved from their home stadium in Pasadena, CA to AT&T Stadium (in Arlington, TX). If those semi-final predictions come true, I won’t be surprised who wins or loses. I think Clemson will beat Alabama but I will cheer for ‘BAMA. The Crimson Tide (under Head Coach Nick Saban) are long overdue for another undefeated season.
Also, I can’t wait to find out who wins those national individual awards. I would vote for Florida QB Kyle Trask to win the Davey O’Brien Award. I predict Alabama RB Najee Harris will win the Doak Walker Award. I think the Hendricks Award should go to Coastal Carolina DE Tarron Jackson. I think the Butkus Award belongs to Tulsa LB Zaven Collins. It wouldn’t surprise me that Alabama CB Patrick Surtain II wins the Jim Thorpe Award. Alabama RB Najee Harris earned MVP honors in the Crimson TIde’s SEC Championship Game win over Florida.
Sincerely, RICH
RICH’S WEEKLY HEISMAN TROPHY BALLOT
1. Najee Harris, RB, Alabama(245 all-purpose running yards and scored 5 TDs in the Crimson Tide’s 52-46 SEC Championship Game win over Florida. Rushed 31 carries, 178 yards, and 2 TDs of 8 and 1 yards. Received 5 catches, 67 yards, and 3 TDs of 7,23, and 1 yards. His 54 career scoring TDs is a school record and second-most in SEC history. His 27 scoring TDs, including 24 rushing TDs, lead the nation.)
2. DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama(Made that onside kick recovery-with 2:05 remaining to seal the Crimson Tide’s SEC Championship Game win over Florida. 204 all-purpose running yards. Received 15 catches, 184 yards, and 2 TDs of 31 and 15. Returned 1 punt for 20 yards. Also recovered a fumble after a Florida DB made an INT during this game. His 3.620 career receiving yards is a school record and second-most in SEC history. His 98 catches and 1,511 yards lead the nation among these receiving categories.)
3. Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati(AAC Offensive Player of the Year award winner. AAC Championship Game MVP. 332 total offensive yards and 2 TDs responsible for in the UC Bearcats’ 27-24 home-finale win over Tulsa in the AAC Championship Game. Passed 19-29, 269 yards, and 1 TD. Rushed 16 carries, 83 yards, and 1 TD from 10 yards out. Also had a 15-yard carry. His 156.4 pass efficiency rating is second in the AAC.)
RICH’S TOP TEN
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State (4)
3. Cincinnati
4. Clemson (5)
5. Texas A&M (6)
6. Coastal Carolina (7)
7. BYU (9)
8. Notre Dame (2)
9. San Jose State (OTM)
10. Liberty (OTM)
OTHER TEAMS TO MENTION (OTM):Louisiana, Indiana, USC (10), Oklahoma, and Ball State
RANKINGS ANALYSIS:
The CFB Playoff Committee has spoken! Nothing we can do or say. I really thought it would be Texas A&M having that #4 spot to have a rematch undefeated SEC Champions Alabama in the Sugar Bowl….Speaking of ‘Bama, no surprise that undefeated Alabama held onto defeat Florida,52-46, in the SEC Championship Game to remain undefeated and #1 in the nation (including the CFB Playoff Committee Rankings). The Crimson Tide will take on Notre Dame, who has the #4 spot and dropped from #2 to #8 in my rankings after losing to Clemson in the ACC Championship Game. Alabama is favored to remain undefeated and advance to the playoff final…I moved Ohio State from #4 to #2 because the Buckeyes remain undefeated after their 22-10 win over Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship Game. Their move up happened after the ACC Championship Game. Ohio State will play that underdog role against ACC Champions Clemson in that Rose Bowl semi-final playoff game….Speaking of Clemson, I am not surprised that the Tigers defeated then-undefeated Notre Dame, who was #2 in the nation, handily (34-10) in that ACC Championship Game. With that lackluster performance by the Fighting Irish, I would’ve not voted N-D as one of four teams to be apart of the seventh annual college football playoffs. Had Clemson been undefeated, the Tigers would be #2 like they were in the preseason rankings before their November road loss against Notre Dame. The Tigers are heavily favored to defeat undefeated Big Ten Champions Ohio State in the Rose Bowl…Undefeated Cincinnati remains ranked #3 in my rankings. The UC Bearcats are coming off a 27-24 home win over Tulsa in the AAC Championship Game. If I had a vote, I’d take the Bearcats over Notre Dame and Texas A&M to be apart of the college football playoffs because of their undefeated record and could really play with anybody in the nation. For the last two seasons, Head Coach Luke Fickell has coached Cincy to 11 wins after he coached the Bearcats to a 4-8 mark in his first season (2017). Cincinnati will take on Georgia in the Peach Bowl on New Year’s Day…Texas A&M looked impressive in their 34-13 road win over Tennessee to remain on a current seven-game winning streak, move from #6 to #5 in my rankings, and eventually earn a berth in the Orange Bowl against North Carolina…Undefeated Coastal Carolina moved up from #7 to #6 in my rankings. Sadly, the Chanticleers didn’t have their home-finale rematch against Louisiana in the SBC Championship Game. Both teams are co-SBC Champions. Coastal Carolina will finally play Liberty, who they were supposed to have a home game against on Dec.5, in the Cure Bowl while Ragin’ Cajuns will play UTSA in the First Responder Bowl. If Liberty didn’t have enough talent to be 9-1 and possibly beat the Chanticleers, I wouldn’t rank the Flames in my top ten…BYU moved up from #9 to #7 after coming off a bye-week while finding out who they will play in a bowl game. The BYU Cougars will play UCF in the Boca Raton Bowl… Undefeated San Jose State moved up from being one of my OTMs to #9 in my rankings. The SJSU Spartans defeated Boise State in the MW Championship Game to remain undefeated. San Jose State will play Ball State in the Arizona Bowl on New Year’s Eve (2 AM, CBS). The Cardinals are among my OTMs by defeating undefeated Buffalo in the MAC Championship Game-SO don’t sell Ball State short…Indiana is having their best season in a long time. The Hoosiers were supposed to have a home game against rival Purdue this past FRI but that game got cancelled because of CO-VID 19. Had Indiana beaten Purdue, the Hoosiers would be among my teams ranked in the top ten. Indiana will play Mississippi in the Outback Bowl….USC was ranked #10 before that disappointing 31-24 home loss against Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship Game. I was disappointed with the fact the then-undefeated USC Trojans didn’t win that game over the Ducks. The only reasons that I have USC among my OTMs are they have one loss after a 5-0 start and did have one last chance to tie this game and force OT. After that loss, USC decided not to play in a bowl game because of CO-VID19….I have Oklahoma as the only two-loss team among my OTMs. The Sooners are on a current seven-game winning streak after a 1-2 start (all in September 2020). Their last loss was a road loss against Iowa State to end September and their most recent win was a 27-21 rematch win over the Cyclones this past SAT to six-peat as the Big 12 Champions (including four straight seasons with a win in the Big 12 Championship Game). Oklahoma will play Florida in the Cotton Bowl.
GAMEBALLS and HELMET STICKERS
Ball State, Ohio State, Oregon, and UAB- Wins over respective opponents made them bowl eligible this season.
Alabama LB Will Anderson- Produced 6 tackles (5 solo), 2 TFLs/sacks, and 1 forced fumble in the Crimson Tide’s 52-46 SEC Championship Game win over Florida.
Florida WR Kadarius Toney- Received 8 catches, 153 yards, and 1 TD (51 yards) in the Gators’ SEC Championship Game loss against Alabama.
Oklahoma CB Tre Brown- Made that game winning INT (on 3rd and 11 with 1:05 remaining) to seal the Sooners’ 27-21 Big 12 Championship Game win over Iowa State.
Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler- Big 12 Championship Game MVP. Passed 22-34, 272 yards, and 1 TD in the Sooners’ Big 12 Championship Game win over Iowa State. Also scored a 9-yard rushing TD.
Oklahoma NB Tre Norwood- Produced 6 tackles (4 solo), 1 INT, and 1 PBU in the Sooners’ Big 12 Championship Game win over Iowa State.
Cincinnati WR Alec Pierce- Received 5 catches, 146 yards, and 1 TD (36 yards) in the UC Bearcats’ 27-24 home win over Tulsa in the AAC Championship Game.
Cincinnati DE Myjai Sanders- Produced 3 tackles (2 solo), 2 TFLs/sacks, 1 PBU, and 1 QB hurry in the Bearcats’ home win over Tulsa.
Tulsa RB Corey Taylor II- Rushed 22 carries, 130 yards, and 1 TD (10 yards) in the Golden Hurricanes’ road loss against Cincinnati. Also had a 30-yard carry.
Ohio State RB Trey Sermon- Transfer from Oklahoma. Big Ten Championship Game MVP. Rushed 29 carries,331 yards, and 2 TDs (9 and 3) in the Buckeyes’ 22-10 Big Ten Championship Game win over Northwestern. His 331 rushing yards are a single-game school record and a Big Ten Championship Game record.
Ohio State LB Justin Hilliard- Produced 6 tackles (led team; 5 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 INT, and 1 fumble recovery in the Buckeyes’ Big Ten Championship Game win over Northwestern.
Ohio State DE Jonathan Cooper- Produced 6 tackles (5 solo), 1 TFL/sack, and 2 QB hurries in the Buckeyes’ Big Ten Championship Game win over Northwestern.
Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence- 34-1 career mark as a starter, including 9-0 this season. ACC Championship Game MVP. 412 total offensive yards and 3 TDs responsible for in the Tiogers’ 34-10 ACC Championship Game win over Notre Dame. Passed 25-36, 322 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT. Rushed 14 carries, 90 yards, and 1 TD (34 yards). His 9,698 career passing yards are third-most in school history.
Clemson RB Travis Etienne- 189 all-purpose running yards in the Tigers’ ACC Championship Game win over Notre Dame. Rushed 10 carries, 124 yards, and 1 TD (44 yards on a 4th and 1 play). Returned 2 kickoffs for 53 yards, including a 37-yard kickoff return.
The Clemson defense- Held the Notre Dame offense to 263 total yards (including 44 rushing yards) in the Tigers’ ACC Championship Game win over Notre Dame. Also produced 10 TFLs (including 6 sacks on Notre Dame QB Ian Book).
Oregon DE Kayvon Thibodeaux- Pac-12 Championship Game MVP. Produced 5 tackles (3 solo), 2 TFLs,1 sack, and 1 PBU in the Ducks’ road win over USC in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
Oregon NB Jamal Hill- Produced 5 tackles (3 solo) and 2 INTs in the Ducks’ road win over USC.
Oregon P Tom Shee- Had 5 punts with 42.8 yards per punt in the Ducks’ road win over USC. Had 3 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 52-yard punt landing on the 8-yard line.
Texas A&M QB Kellen Mond- 340 total offensive yards and 2 TDs responsible for in the Aggies’ 34-13 road win over Tennessee. Passed 26-32, 281 yards,1 TD, and 1 INT. Rushed 12 carries, 59 yards, and 1 TD (from 5 yards out). Also had a 13-yard carry.
Texas A&M DE Marvin Leal- Produced 5 tackles (led team; 3 solo), 1 TFL/sack, and 1 forced fumble in the Aggies’ road win over Tennessee.
LSU WR Kayshon Boutte- Received 14 catches, 308 yards, and 3 TDs (32, 18, and 45) in the LSU Tigers’ 53-48 season-finale home win over Mississippi. Scored that 45-yard receiving TD (on 1st and 10 with 1:34 remaining) to eventually win this game. His 308 receiving yards is a single-game school and SEC record.
LSU PK Cade York- Scored 17 points in the Tigers’ home win over Mississippi. Scored on all 4 FG (including a 50-yard FG) and 5 XPK attempts.
LSU S Jacoby Stevens- Made that game-winning fumble recovery (on 1st and 10 with 0:40 remaining) to seal the Tigers’ home win over Mississippi. Also produced 5 tackles (2 solo).
LSU CB Jay Ward- Produced 6 tackles (5 solo) and 2 INTs (47 yards, including a 31-yard INT return) in the Tigers’ home win over Mississippi.
Stanford WR Simi Fehoko- Received 16 catches, 230 yards, and 3 TDs (11,21, and 14) in the Cardinals’ 48-47 season-finale comeback road win (2 OTs) over UCLA.
UCLA RB Brittain Brown- Rushed 29 carries for 219 yards, including a 41-yard carry, in the Bruins’ home-finale loss against Stanford.
Wisconsin LB Leo Chenal- Produced 13 tackles (led team; 10 solo), 5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 PBU in the Badgers’ 20-17 home-finale win (1 OT) over rival Minnesota.
Wisconsin RB Garrett Groshek- Rushed 24 carries, 154 yards, and 1 TD (39 yards) in the Badgers’ home win over Minnesota.
Minnesota RB Mohaned Ibrahim- Rushed 26 carries for 151 yards, including a 31-yard carry, in the Badgers’ home win over Minnesota.
Arizona State RB Rachaad White- Rushed 13 carries, 158 yards, and 2 TDs (4 and 55) in the Sun Devils’ 46-33 season-finale road win over Oregon State.
Arizona State S DeAndre Pierce- Produced 9 tackles (7 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 INT in the Sun Devils’ road win over Oregon State.
UAB RB Spencer Brown- Rushed 30 carries for 149 yards, including a 35-yard carry, in the UAB Blazers’ 22-13 C-USA Championship Game win over Marshall.
UAB LB Tyler Taylor- Produced 3 tackles ( all assisted), 2 PBUs, and 1 QB hurry in the Blazers’ C-USA Championship Game win over Marshall.
UAB PK Matt Quinn- Scored 10 points in the Blazers’ C-USA Championship Game win over Marshall. Scored on all 3 FG attempts (including a 48-yard FG) and kicked 1-2 XPK attempts.
Ball State LB Jimmy Daw- Produced 7 tackles (5 solo), 3 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 1 blocked FG attempt in the Cardinals’ 38-28 MAC Championship Game win over Buffalo.
San Jose State QB Nick Starkel- MW Championship Game Offensive MVP. Passed 32-52, 453 yards, and 3 TDs in the SJSU Spartans’ 34-20 neutral-site win (in Las Vegas, NV) over Boise State in the MW Championship Game.
San Jose State WR Tre Walker- Received 7 catches, 137 yards, and 1 TD (55 yards) in the Spartan’s MW Championship Game win over Boise State.
San Jose State PK Matt Mercurio- Scored 14 points, including scoring on all 4 FG attempts (including a 36-yard FG), in the Spartans’ MW Championship Game win over Boise State. His 4 FGs (all scored in the 2nd quarter) tied an NCAA Division I FBS record for most FGs scored in a quarter.
San Jose State DE Cade Hall- MW Championship Game Defensive MVP. Produced 4 tackles (all solo), 3 TFls, and 2 sacks.
Army LB Arik Smith- Made that game-winning INT (2 yards; on 1st and 10 with 1:05 remaining) to seal the Black Knights’ 10-7 home-finale win over rival Air Force.
Army CB Cameron Jones- Produced 5 tackles (4 solo), 1 INT, and 1 PBU in the Black Knights’ home win over Air Force.
Army P Zach Harding- Had 3 punts with 36.3 yards per punt in the Black Knights’ home win over Air Force. All 3 punts landed inside the 20-yard line, including a 32-yard punt landing on the 8-yard line.
The Nebraska offensive line- Helped this offense have 621 total yards (including 365 rushing yards) and 27 1st downs in the Cornhuskers’ 28-21 season-finale road win over Rutgers.
Nebraska QB Adrian Martinez- 412 total offensive yards and 3 TDs responsible for in the Cornhuskers’ road win over Rutgers. Passed 24-28, 255 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs. Rushed 23 carries, 157 yards, and 2 TDs (41 and 1). Also had 1 punt for 45 yards, which landed on the 2-yard line.
Nebraska RB Dedrick Mills- Rushed 25 carries for 190 yards, including a 50-yard carry, in the Cornhuskers’ road win over Rutgers.
Nebraska CB Cam Taylor- Produced 2 tackles (all solo), 1 TFL, 1 INT, and 1 PBU in the Cornhuskers’ road win over Rutgers.
Rutgers P Adam Korsak- Had 5 punts with 43.4 yards per punt in the Scarlet Knights’ season-finale home loss against Nebraska.
Rutgers S Christain Izien- Produced 8 tackles (3 solo), 2 INTs (including a 9-yard INT return), and 2 fumble recoveries in the Scarlet Knights’ home loss against Nebraska.
Utah- Overcame a 28-7 deficit and scored 38 unanswered points in the Utes’ 45-28 home-finale win over Washington State.
Utah CB Clark Phillips- Made that game-saving INT (36-yard INT; on 4th and 15 with 2:06 remaining) to seal the Utes’ home win over Washington State. Also produced 3 tackles (2 solo), 1 fumble recovery (11 yards), and 2 PBUs.
Utah LB Devin Lloyd- Produced 10 tackles (led team; 9 solo), 4 TFLs, and 1 sack in the Utes’ home win over Washington State.
Utah RB Ty Jordan- Rushed 22 carries, 154 yards, and 3 TDs (5,33,and 13) in the Utes’ home win over Washington State.
Utah WR/RS Britain Covey- Received 6 catches, 134 yards, and 1 TD (91 yards) in the Utes’ home win over Washington State.
Miss. State WR Jaden Walley- Received 5 catches, 129 yards, and 1 TD (from 7 yards out) in the MSU Bulldogs’ 51-32 season-finale home win over Missouri. Also had a 39-yard catch.
Miss. State CB Emmanuel Forbes- Produced 7 tackles (1 solo), 2 INTs (33 yards, including a 29-yard INT return), and 2 PBUs in the Bulldogs’ home win over Missouri.
Penn State WR Jahan Dotson- Received 6 catches, 189 yards, and 2 TDs (75 and 70) in the Nittany Lions’ 56-21 season-finale home win over Illinois.
Penn State LB Brandon Smith- Produced 8 tackles (led team; 4 solo), 3 TFLs, and 1 fumble recovery in the Nittany Lions’ home win over Illinois.
