2007 Year End Awards

This is the first annual Collegefootballtopten.com Year End Awards. This year's awards are based mostly on numbers. There is no attempt to interpret numbers based on any context. However, a number of different categories were considered.

Offensive Player of the Year-- Graham Harrell--Texas Tech, QB
I think everyone knows who Harrell is, and I know he plays in a pass happy offense. Here are the numbers. Harrell was number 1 nationally in Passing (passing attempts), Total Passing Yards, Passing Yards per game, and Total Offense. Harrell was number 3 in Points Responsible For and number 5 in Passing Efficiency. Number 5 in Passing Efficiency is not bad when you attempt 644 passes. Graham had 5298 yards passing while completing 72.7 % of his passing. In era in which the QB means so much to the offense, there were few better than Harrell.

Defensive Player of the Year--George Selvie--University of South Florida, DE
When you are looking for an impact player on defense, Selvie fits the bill. Selvie was number 1 nationally in Takles for a Loss, number 2 in Sacks, and number 28 in Forced Fumbles. Selvie was a big reason that USF became a contender in the Big East and nationally rising to number 2 in the polls at one point. Selvie is just a Sophomore, so the Bulls can build on his talent toward a possible birth in a BCS bowl in the next couple of years.

Coach of the Year--Mark Mangino--Head Coach, Kansas
In the previous five years as head coach in Kansas, Mangino's Jayhawks went to only two bowl games. Mangino's teams were 4-7 (2004), 7-5 (2005) and 6-6 (2006) before rushing to a 11-1 record and a BCS birth in the Orange Bowl.

Resilient Team of the Year--Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech began the season with a heavy heart following the shootings that shocked their campus in the spring. Several students and staff were killed, and the Hokies were playing for their community and their school. Early in the season they suffered a lopsided loss at LSU. The Hokies rebounded winning the ACC Costal Division. In the ACC Championship game, Virginia Tech avenged their lone conference loss to Boston College by beating the Eagles 30-16 and securing the ACC Championship and a BCS birth in the Orange Bowl.


Happy New Year!
2008

Merry Christmas

From collegefootballtopten.com. I want to take the time to wish our readers and your family a very Merry Christmas. I hope this Christmas season finds you with friends, family, fellowship and good cheer. I hope that you are able to take the time to enjoy time off and consider the good news of Jesus during this season.

May God Bless You!


Todd E. Jones

Top Ten Bowl Games

O.K. These are not listed in order of value or preference. There is no "ranking" the bowl games here. These are games that I think are interesting, and I made suggestions as to possible new sponsors for the game.

1. Pacific Life Holiday Bowl, Dec. 27
Texas vs. Arizona State
Two teams who could have ended up in a New Year's Day bowl. Arizona State has a record worthy of playing on New Year's Day, and Texas has the talent worthy of playing on New Year's Day. I suggest that this game be sponsored by Southwest Airlines. I really couldn't think of a better sponsor, and Southwest flies in the Southwest. Smart, huh.

2. Fed Ex Orange Bowl, Jan. 3
Kansas vs. Virginia Tech
Some people are not happy Kansas is here instead of Missouri, but it doesn't matter now. The Jayhawks are playing a good Virginia Tech team that found its identity later in the season. I suggest that the game be sponsored by Dickies, the worker apparel. Both teams have a blue collar, team oriented kind of image. Virginia Tech has that whole lunch box thing, and Kansas runs the "blue collar" version of the Spread Offense. The QB is undersized, and the offense works better when they can run the ball with the big tailback.

3. AT&T Cotton Bowl, Jan. 1
Arkansas vs. Missouri
A lot of people have already seen this as a very good match-up of teams not playing in a BCS game. Two players, Chase Daniel (Missouri) and Darren McFadden (Arkansas), were invited to the Heisman Trophy Presentation. Both teams can score a lot of points. Arkansas and Missouri already have friendly rivalries everywhere. I suggest that this year's Cotton Bowl be sponsored by the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad.

4. Konica Minolta Gator Bowl, Jan. 1
Texas Tech vs. Virginia
This match-up features defensive standout Chris Long, son of Howie Long of the Raiders, and the pass happy offense of QB Graham Harrell and Texas Tech. I think that this game should be sponsored by Radio Shack. You know, Howie used to do commercials for them with that Teri Hatcher. Plus, you might want to get a new TV, maybe a High Def, to see Tech's Michael Crabtree play. Yeah, he's that good.

5. Allstate Sugar Bowl, Jan. 1
Georgia vs. Hawaii
Why not? It might be the first time all year you've seen Hawaii play. They don't get to the mainland a lot. They went 12-0, the only team to do so, and that was with Colt Brennan missing a couple of games. Of course, there's them 'Dawgs. They are might hot right now. Some wanted them to make the National Title Game. I guess they look as good as anybody. This bowl should be sponsored by Maui Brand Sugar. Sugar for your tea. What do you think? Aloha!

6. Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Jan. 2
West Virginia vs. Oklahoma
There will be so much speed on the field, that the weather patterns might change. Seriously, the two teams may be the fastest in the country. DeMarco Murray, Juaquin Iglesias, and Malcolm Kelly of Oklahoma and Noel Divine, Pat White, and Steve Slaton for West Virginia may be the fastest skill players in the country. I suggest that Verizon FiOS sponsor this game because they tout themselves as the fastest internet available.

7. The Bell Helicopters Armed Forces Bowl, Dec. 31
California vs. Air Force
This could be a great match-up. Cal has some great skill players. Air Force runs the triple option. Cal has had problems keeping its focus all season, and Fort Worth's night life might be too much to handle for those kids. I suggest that some military air craft making industry sponsor this game. Wait, they already do. That is Bell Helicopters. You people got it right in Fort Worth.

8. The GMAC Bowl, Jan. 6
Bowling Green vs. Tulsa
This might be something to watch while waiting on the title game, if you need your bowl game fix. There should be a lot of scoring. Neither team has a very good defense, and both teams can throw the bowl. This shouldn't be low scoring. These two teams have passed for over a combined 7800 yards. The ball will be in the air so often that you might earn frequent flier miles. Therefore, I suggest that this game be sponsored by FrequentFlier.com.

9. The Outback Bowl, Jan. 1
Tennessee vs. Wisconsin
I don't know if this will a good game or not. Tennessee can throw the ball pretty well, and Wisconsin can run the ball pretty well. I think that this game should be sponsored by Colorado Boomerangs. Both teams bounced back from what could have been a rough finish.

10. Allstate BCS Championship Game, Jan. 7
LSU vs. Ohio State
Well, this one is for the title. The sub-plots really don't matter. LSU survived its SEC jungle, and Ohio State overcame the loss of multiple offensive weapons to the NFL or graduation. Oh, and it is another one of those Big Ten/SEC match-ups. I am sure that this year's title game will be better than last year's. I suggest that this game is co-sponsored by Community Coffee (Louisiana) and Kroger (Ohio). If it goes late, you might want to run to your Kroger and have some Community Coffee ready for the next morning. O.K That's all I could come up with.

Happy Bowling!

My Short, Short List

Borders Books has been producing something called the Short List. It is where authors and other entertainers give their Short List of things to read, watch, listen to, etc. I am going to do something similar. I am going to give my Short, Short List. I wanted my list to relate to football. Therefore, based on what I have read this year, my list is kind of short. But, I will mention three.

1. Bowls, Polls & Tattered Souls: Tackling the Chaos and Controversy that Reign Over College Football. Stewart Mandel. Stewart is a college football writer from SI.com (Sports Illustrated) and author of the popular Mailbag on the SI.com website. He really seems to have a handle on the sport's most "hot button" issues. He gives a good, historical perspective on each of the issues at hand. You will have some "ah ha" moments while reading this book.

2. Twelve Mighty Orphans: The Inspiring True Story of the Mighty Mites Who Ruled Texas Football. Jim Dent. This is a great story about the orphans from the Fort Worth Masonic Lodge who competed and won at high school football in Texas. While the stories are good, the reader will be amazed at how far reaching the affects of the little Mighty Orphans had on football in the 30's, 40's, and 50's in the United States as a whole. Members of those great teams went on to play college and pro football. Head Coach Rusty Russell eventually coached at SMU where he had the opportunity to coach Doak Walker.

3. Tony Romo: America's Next Quarterback. Mac Engel. This book will always have the distinction of being the first book written about Tony Romo. Romo, the Dallas Cowboy quarterback, was an Undrafted Free Agent out of Eastern Illinois University who took over as the starter last season and set the NFL on fire with his play. This is a great book for the aspiring young quarterback in your household.


Book I Hope to Read

Fourth and New Orleans. Chris Scelfo. The story of the Tulane football program in the months following Hurricane Katrina.

Every Week a Season: A Journey Inside Big-Time College Football. Brian Curtis.

Who's #1?: 100-Plus Years of Controversial National Champions in College Football. Christopher J. Walsh.


One team that we know is number 1, in the Football Championship Subdivision, is Appalachian State. The Mountaineers won their third straight national title. What if West Virginia would have held on against Pitt and then won the BCS Title? The two Division I Champions would have been the Mountaineers. By the way, do you know how to spell Appalachian now? I do.

Fort What It's Worth: Greatness Comes in All Sizes

Yesterday, the Associated Press released their Little All-Americans List. Tonight Appalachian State plays Delaware for the Football Championship Subdivision National Championship. Should we, as college football fans, give any thought to these two different events. Well, yes. We have seen in the past that good players, no, great players do come from these programs. I will mention Steve McNair and Jerry Rice as examples. Steve McNair quarterbacked his team to the Super Bowl, and has an outstanding NFL career with the Titans and Ravens. Jerry Rice may go down as one of the greatest Wide Receivers in NFL history.

There are reasons that these kids never played at the Bowl Championship Subdivision level. All have their own unique reasons. Armanti Edwards, the Appalachian State superstar, was basically a late bloomer. He started playing QB during his junior year in High School and was barely noticed by the time he finished. A couple of Bowl Championship Subdivision teams offered him scholarships, but to play something other than QB. Now, he may be, arguably, the best dual threat QB in all of college football. You do remember Edwards don't you? He ripped Michigan on September 1 in Appy State's huge road upset of the Wolverines. He may get sniffs at the Heisman next year.

As a kid I remember watching Arkansas State rule the Southland Conference in the 80's. They went to the Division I AA playoffs, it seemed like, every year. They advance in most of those years eventually reaching the championship game. They lost to the very dominant Georgia Southern team. Georgia Southern's then Offensive Coordinator is now the new head coach at Georgia Tech. He will bring his Hamm Bone, as they named it after QB Tracy Hamm, to Tech.

Every year, there is a great NFL prospect that comes out of the small schools. So, you see, you don't have to be a starter at a Bowl Championship Subdivision school to play in the NFL.

Another example of that is Tony Romo. When Romo came to the Cowboys, I hadn't heard of him. But he made the team and continued to get better. Romo was an Undrafted Free Agent from Eastern Illinois, a Football Championship Subdivision school. He set records at EIU, but few people noticed. He got his chance for the Cowboys, and now he is considered one of the top QB's in the league.

My friend Mac Engel of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram has written a book about Tony. It's called America's Next Quarterback. You can visit the website to order a copy of the book. If you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, you can probably pick up a copy at your local Borders Bookstore.

We're Not in Hog Heaven

I am a Razorback fan. I grew up in Batesville, AR watching Ken Hatfields' Razorbacks compete hard in the old Southwest Conference. They won two championships heading to the Cotton Bowl. I don't talk about the Hogs on this site much so that I won't appear biased. Well, tonight I am going to reveal my thoughts.

Now, it seems if the Hogs win 8 games they take a trip across the state line to play in the Cotton Bowl, and that just doesn't seem to be enough for the fans. You see, times have changed and the Cotton Bowl, while it is a good bowl, is not the BCS.

Ten years ago the Hogs were limping to the end of the 90's after the Danny Ford era that ended with one trip to the SEC Championship Game. The Razorbacks hired a brash young coach who played a season in the 70's for Frank Broyles' team before moving on to play somewhere else.

Houston Nutt took the Hogs to two SEC Title games in 10 years. He may have coached the Heisman Trophy winner for 2007. He brought passion back to the sidelines in Fayetteville.

After a tumulteous two years, Coach Nutt took his gear and bolted, to Oxford. Mississippi, that is. Yes, Houston Nutt left to go to the power of Ole Miss. The Hogs have to play him every year until the Ole Miss Athletic Department runs him off for not winning a national title.

Now, the Hogs are trying to make the right hire. First, there were cries for Auburn's Tommy Tubberville, a native Arkansan. He decided to stay. Then Tommy Bowden was interviewed. Both coaches received contract extensions and raises. Next up, Jim Grobe. Nope. He don't want it either. At least he didn't show up for a press conference, pretend to do a Hog Call and then change his mind like Dana Altman did last spring after taking the Men's Basketball job only to return to Creighton.

The Hogs are having trouble attracting somebody. And, right now, fans might like to have somebody, maybe anybody. Fans are calling for Arkansas to hire the next Bob Stoops. Stoops, was hired at OU after being a successful coordinator and assistant coach. I have heard fans call for Razorback Defensive Coordinator and Interim Coach Reggie Herring, Tulsa Head Coach Todd Graham and Tulsa Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn. Down here (Fort Worth, TX) I've even heard Texas Tech Head Coach Mike Leach's name thrown out there.

When I thought the job would be open, I had two people on my "wish list" from day one. Now, I doubt that Athletic Director Jeff Long or Chancellor White will be looking to me for ideas of who to hire, but at least I can make my case. The first name on my "wish list" is Terry Bowden. Bowden has hinted to the possibility that he might want to coach again. Terry took Auburn to an undefeated season in 1993. He is, in fact, a prominent member of the Bowden football tree. He can coach, he has passion and emotion. If Bowden is going to coach in 2008, he will make a good coach. And, he might as well coach at Arkansas.

However, I don't know if Bowden moves to Fayetteville. He could, but he might be interested in coaching somewhere bigger. My next choice for a Razorback coach, and he is actually 1 b, is TCU Head Coach Gary Patterson. I have lived in Fort Worth for 10 years now. I watched during the first few years as Dennis Francione led the Horned Frogs to successful seasons as the TCU played in the Conference USA. When Fran left, I didn't think that TCU football could get bigger. Boy I was wrong!

TCU immediately asked Gary Patterson to step in and be the new coach. I didn't know anything about Patterson, but let me tell you, he is the best coach you've never heard of. If you don't believe me, then ask Stewart Mandel. Mandel included him in his 10 Best Coaches article. Patterson has everything a Hog coach needs. He has passion. He has motivation, for himself and his players. He instills discipline, on and off the field. His defenses play lights out. Consider this. Last year's TCU defense held Northern Illinois' Garrett Wolfe to 28 yards rushing in the 2006 Poisettia Bowl. Wolfe was an All American running back and hung 285 all purpose yards (171 rushing) on Ohio State in 2006 which basically had the same defense as the one this year that led the Buckeyes to the title game.

Patterson usually has good special teams. TCU had 4 block kicks (punts/field goals) this year. Patterson is a very likable guy. He recruits well for the disadvantage that TCU has in Texas. He is a defensive minded guy who likes to turn the offense over to a talented offensive coordinator and works hard to put together a disciplined team that excels in all phases of the game. The Frogs knocked off Oklahoma on the road in 2005 and were leading the Longhorns this year at halftime. They shut down Texas Tech's offense last year.

The Hogs and Frogs will have a series in a few years. If Patterson isn't coaching the Hogs, he'll probably be giving them problems on the field as the Frogs coach. Patterson's TCU teams play in front of 42,000 at the most, and they have to be perfect to play in a BCS game. At Arkansas, he would be coaching in front of 80,000 fans who are just a passionate about football as he is. Arkansas doesn't play second fiddle to anyone in the state whereas TCU does in Fort Worth. I think he might consider it. He coaches in a BCS game at Arkansas by winning the SEC Title, or just being in the Top 10. He can't do those things at TCU.

If Arkansas passes on Patterson, then I will continue to be a Frog fan. I am a Hog fan first, but I will always enjoy keeping up with the Frogs. And, when the Frogs play the Hogs in 2012, if Gary Patterson is in purple, expect trouble on the field for the Hogs. TCU's defense will be coming, the offense will use a variety of formations, and the special teams will get after the Hogs.

2007 College Football Playoffs

Here is what a sixteen team playoffs would look like this year. All 11 conference champions would receive an automatic bid. The remaining highest ranked teams would be invited as at-large teams (I used the BCS rankings). The highest seeded team would play at home in the first round. The remaining seven games, the quarterfinals, the semifinals, and the national championship game would all be in designated neutral sites. Examples are provided, for the second round, semifinals and championship game.

For What It's Worth: A Pageant Is No Way to Decide a Champion

I have heard for a few days now all of the arguments about who should or should not be in the National Championship Game in January. The the new old way of deciding the champion just isn't getting the job done. The new old way, says we will wait until the season is over to see who the clear-cut best two football teams in the country are. The two teams will separate themselves from the pack by winning the conference championship without a loss (unless you are in the SEC, then we give you at least one loss because it is such a tough conference) and beating at least one key quality non-conference foe. At the end, through various polls, some of which are computers, we decide who was the best all year or who is the best team now or who deserves it the most. And then, we will invite them to shoot it out in the BCS National Championship Game.

Admittedly, the controversies that arise in such scenarios are what keeps the appeal of college football alive. Fans like the product, as it were, and are passionate about the sport. Many have made the claim, but I give credit to Stewart Mandel in his book Bowls, Polls & Tattered Souls for this point. But, seeking to improve the sport will not lesson the passion and love for the game as we know it. In fact, that is what we have been trying to do the last ten years. Maybe there has to be some ambiguity, but let's decide who the champion is on the field. We have been moving toward this for a while now. Do you remember how it use to be? I do. When the season was over, teams were invited to play in bowls. Conference champions went to certain bowls. The Big Eight champion went to the Orange Bowl, the Big Ten to the Rose Bowl, etc. Then, after the bowls, if a team was left unbeaten, the voters decided they were national champions. There were two polls: the Associated Press and the Coaches Poll. Sometimes, the polls disagreed. Before that, the national champion was decided before the bowl games were ever played.

Then something happened. The Fiesta Bowl changed everything. They came along made us all crazy for a unanimous national champion. They had a game where they persuaded the two best teams in the country to play in their bowl game. The two teams were independent and not tied to a bowl by virtue of a conference. Everyone got a taste of what could be (See Mandel, pp. 190-191.). The result of this was the moving toward this BCS thing we have in place. We decided it was best to put the two best teams on the field and let them play for the National Title. What we should now, is move it forward yet once again.

After a season such as this one, where no two teams were able to separate themselves from the rest of the college football world, there is little evidence available to tell which teams are actually qualified to play for the championship. Consider this. Stanford beat Cal. Cal beat Oregon. Oregon beat USC. USC beat UCLA. Stanford also beat USC (remember the shocker). Therefore, shouldn't Stanford beat UCLA. No, Stanford lost to UCLA in the first game of the season. Illogical circles like this exist all throughout college football this year. The "85 Scholarship Rule" has helped level the playing field, so the future should be more of the same. In other words, it's just going to get harder and harder to tell who the two best teams are by the end of the year. It may be a while before a team in the SEC wins their conference championship without losing a game.

Now is the time. We need to move toward a playoff format. I believe the BCS Contract is up in 2010. It appears that a "plus one" format may be soon. Hopefully, we will go to a eight team playoff and then, finally, to a sixteen team playoff.

What do we do with the bowl games? Well, renew the reason for which bowl games began. Bowl games would serve as a reward for those teams who have a good season but fail to qualify for the playoffs. Of course, there would be fewer bowl games, and bowls could continue to have conference tie-ins if they want. And, no team should play in a bowl game if they did not have at least seven wins.

But, let's not decide who should be playing for the national championship based on who we think looks best. This is not a pageant. This is football. Let's settle the championship on the field.