Walking the Crimson carpet. Alabama halfback Derrick Henry was the big winner from Thursday night’s college football awards show, taking home the Walter Camp Player of the Year, the Maxwell Player of the Year and the Doak Walker as the nation’s best running back. Heisman next? We’ll see on Saturday.
Derrick Henry and the punter who hates running win college football awards night
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Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Clemson’s Deshaun Watson, a Heisman finalist alongside Henry, won the Davey O’Brien as the nation’s best quarterback. Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey, the third Heisman finalist, was shut out but took it in stride.
Temple’s Tyler Matakevich won the Chuck Bednarik and Bronko Nagurski, both given to the nation’s best defensive player. Matakevich somehow did not win the Butkus, given to the best linebacker, which went to Notre Dame’s Jaylon Smith.
The one you care about most is the Ray Guy, of course. Utah punter Tom Hackett revealed the reason he’s perfect for the position is that he has the soul of a fat man.
Oliver twist. NCAA executive Oliver Luck was asked why coaches are allowed to be paid and players aren’t. His response? College athletes are children.
He’s named Ash because he just got roasted. Cardale Jones and other Ohio State players took some playful jabs at defensive coordinator -- and future Rutgers head coach -- Chris Ash when the coach tweeted about his excitement for his new job.
Should I stay or should I go? Sonny Dykes, who was mentioned for almost every open coaching position and was reportedly unhappy at Cal, looks a lot happier with a contract extension through 2019.
The quarterback carousel. No fewer than three experienced Power 5 quarterbacks announced transfers Thursday:
- Texas A&M quarterback Kyle Allen, one of the nation’s most coveted recruits in the class of 2014, is leaving the Aggies. He could end up with the newly extended Dykes at Cal.
- Trevor Knight, the hero of Oklahoma’s 2014 Sugar Bowl win over Alabama, has been granted a full release by the Sooners and could be headed to Manhattan.
- Pitt quarterback Chad Voytik, who was passed by Nate Peterman this season, is also on the market.
Pluralities for centuries AY AY AY AY AY OHH. The advanced stats give Alabama a 42 percent chance of winning the College Football Playoff, hardly an overwhelming edge. Clemson and Oklahoma are the the 20-30 percent range, while things look difficult for Michigan State.
A Holy War defector? Utah coach Kyle Whittingham has reportedly told BYU he will listen if the Cougars were interested in bringing him in as Bronco Mendenhall’s replacement. Could Whittingham change sides at halftime of the Las Vegas Bowl? Would it be the strangest thing to happen in a Utah-BYU game?
That's not good. Ohio State senior defensive lineman Adolphus Washington was reportedly cited for solicitation.
Geaux forward. LSU’s likely scrapping its offense, which almost got Les Miles fired. But should the Tigers hire a new offensive coordinator with experience or go for a young up-and-comer?
Did the Dino eat your Babers? Our Syracuse site talks to new Orange coach Dino Babers and asks him if he’s been to the locally beloved Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. Because a Flintstones joke would be too easy.
Roll Bert Roll. A Tuscaloosa bar pays chalk art tribute to Arkansas coach Bret Bielema, whose Hogs beat Ole Miss to hand Alabama the SEC West championship.
Don’t say that to an Iowa fan. The fourth quarter of the Big Ten Championship Game was “15 perfect minutes.”
Here, listen to a college football podcast. There are only a few games on Saturday, so fill your ears with noises while you can.
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