OT - CFB awards

Ok, so in yesterday's post on Denard being a finalist for the Tribune's Silver Football award, I looked at the stats of the finalists and was amazed at Kerrigan of Purdue and what he was able to acheive in a defense arguably worse than ours. This got me to thinking about what awards Kerrigan was up for nationally, and to my surprise, he wasn't a finalist for either the Nagurski, or the Bednarik. This got me to wondering about the award finalists themselves and who was really deserving, and who made it because of popularity. Some may have differing opinions, but mine follows:

Bednarik - No problem with Bowers being there, as he is truly a beast. Fairley and Peterson though, are really lacking in the stats dept. This is one award I believe Kerrigan should have been up for. Peterson, despite what some would claim as a product of team's not throwing his way, is really lacking in tackles, pass break-ups and Ints. Fairley is just lacking in everything, and IMO, isn't much different than some of the other DTs. My guess is he is here based on team performance only(and the incessant CBS SEC hype).

Biletnikoff - This is one award I feel they got the finalists right on. Blackmon, Jeffries and Broyle are all outstanding and had outstanding seasons.

Groza - Another award that arguably was right on the money when it came to finalists, although one name left out is Hazley of VT. The kid was 20/21 on the year, a much higher percentage than Hrapmann or Bailey. Ruffer of ND was perfect on the year, but only for 15 FGs. Could have been some different players here, but not a stretch to say they got it right.

Ray Guy - I understand Henry, he led cfb in net punting avg. I don't understand Butler or Donahue, who were 15th and 16th on the list. I believe Butler made it since he won it last year. I'd have chosen different, but that's just me.

Maxwell(best all-around) - This is really a hard award to define. This award has the same finalists as the O'Brien, all QB's. Newton's play really should be recognized here, and not the O'Brien. Luck and Moore are great college QBs, but I wouldn't classify them as great all-around players. Harris of Oregon really should be a finalist here. #1 in passes defended added to 5 ints, and #2 in punt returns to go with 4 TDs there. Another name who could be here is Blackmon(OkSt.). 18 receiving TD's, 1 rushing TD and 1 punt return TD.

O'Brien - Luck and Moore definitely belong here, not sure about Newton, although if one goes by complete game, he does. This one is probably right, as far as finalists go, but one could argue that Jones of OU deserved to be here as well.

Outland - Not sure what stats are used, or where to even find them for this award. So, no comment on the finalists here.

Thorpe - This is one of the biggest as far as players not deserving to be a finalist here. Peterson shouldn't be a finalist here at all. Harris of Oregon got shafted, IMO, as did Hosley of VT. I think this award was more perception than reality, and isn't really based on any stats at all. Can one really claim that Peterson and Nakamura don't have the stats because teams don't throw their way very often? It may be so, but then again, it may not be.

Doak Walker - I am wondering who the moron(s) are that put Clay as a finalist here. The other two, James(Oregon) and Hunter(OkSt.) both have the numbers, statswise, to make their case. Clay does not. He isn't even the best RB in the B10, let alone the thrid best in the country.His 5.32 yds/carry is on the low end of the scale and his 93yds/game is no where near the top. I believe that his nomination for finalist here was based more on pre-season hype and the injury that kept him out of a couple games was overrated. His running mate, White, showed that it didn't really matter who was running behind that line, they were gonna gain some yards. IMO, the third finalist should have been either LeShoure of Illinois or Taua of Nevada.

The analysis of the finalists wasn't that in-depth, and any opinions differing from mine here are welcome.