Draft Insiders’ and Coaches Top 25 Teams – Week Twelve
Top Three Teams – Alabama, Clemson & Irish Stay Undefeated

Players of Week
Offense – QB Taylor Cornelius – Oklahoma St
Defense – LB Devin Bush – Michigan

Team of the Week – Notre Dame beats Syracuse 36-3
Upset of the Week – Oklahoma St beats West Virginia 45-41

Game of Week Twelve
Michigan (10-1) at Ohio St (10-1)

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Top 25 Teams – Week Twelve
Draft Insiders’

Rank/ Team/ Record
1 Alabama – 11-0
2 Clemson – 11-0
3 Notre Dame – 11-0
4 Georgia – 10-1
5 Michigan – 10-1
6 UCF – 10-0
7 Oklahoma – 10-1
8 Washington St – 10-1
9 Ohio St – 10-1
10 LSU – 9-2
11 Utah St – 10-1
12 West Virginia – 8-2
13 Kentucky – 8-3
14 Texas – 8-3
15 Washington – 8-3
16 Florida – 8-3
17 Syracuse – 8-3
18 Penn State – 8-3
19 Utah – 8-3
20 Boise St – 9-2
21 Fresno St – 9-2
22 Northwestern – 7-4
23 Mississippi St – 7-4
24 Pittsburgh – 7-4
25 Army – 9-2

Coaches Top 25 Poll
Rank/ Team / Record / Points

1 Alabama (63)  11-0      1599
2 Clemson (1)    11-0      1535
3 Notre Dame    11-0      1470
4 Michigan        10-1      1387
5 Georgia          10-1      1347
6 Oklahoma      10-1      1252
7 Washington State       10-1      1195
8 LSU   9-2        1115
9 UCF   10-0      1108
10 Ohio State    10-1      1091
11 Texas           8-3        816
12 West Virginia            8-2        766
13 Florida         8-3        748
14 Penn State   8-3        742
15 Utah State    10-1      704
16 Washington  8-3        687
17 Utah 8-3        551
18 Kentucky      8-3        502
19 Syracuse      8-3        432
20 Mississippi State      7-4        397
21 Northwestern            7-4        302
22 Boise State  9-2        297
23 Fresno State 9-2        119
24 Army            9-2        97
25 Pittsburgh    7-4        90

Dropped from rankings: Iowa State 18, Cincinnati 20, Boston College 22, UAB 25

Others receiving votes: Iowa State 85, Cincinnati 74, Texas A&M 57, NC State 51, Wisconsin 32, Missouri 27, Boston College 22, Auburn 20, Appalachian State 18, Troy 16, Iowa 12, UAB 12, Georgia State 10, Duke 7, Oklahoma State 3, Virginia 2, Georgia Southern 1, Buffalo 1, South Carolina 1

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy,  Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff  and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years.

2018 Outland Trophy Semifinalists Announced

Eight standout Interior Linemen tabbed by FWAA

FWAA – Eight semifinalists for the 2018 Outland Trophy – including two pairs of teammates – were announced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee and the Football Writers Association of America. The eight semifinalists are players from six schools at five different positions representing five different conferences.

The 2018 Outland Trophy, presented by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), is awarded annually to the nation’s best college interior lineman on offense or defense. NFID is presenting the trophy to help increase awareness about the importance of annual flu prevention. Getting vaccinated each year is your best line of defense against the flu.

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The field for the 2018 Outland Trophy is as follows, listed in alphabetical order: North Carolina State center Garrett Bradbury, Wisconsin guard Michael Deiter, Clemson offensive tackle Mitch Hyatt, Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver, Oklahoma guard Ben Powers, Clemson defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, Alabama offensive tackle Jonah Williams and Alabama nose guard Quinnen Williams.

The eight semifinalists will be pared to three finalists and announced on Nov. 20. The recipient of the 73rd Outland Trophy will be announced during ESPN’s The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 6, live from the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee on Jan. 9, 2019.

Web Sites – OutlandTrophy.com, FootballWriters.com

Look at the Outland Trophy Semifinalists:

Garrett Bradbury, C, North Carolina State (6-3, 300, Gr., Charlotte, N.C.): A three-year starter on the line, the team co-captain has played all but four snaps for the Wolfpack this season. In 679 snaps he has not allowed a sack and has only allowed two pressures on 348 pass attempts. His protection has helped place Ryan Finley on the cusp to become N.C. State’s only quarterback to pass for 3,000-plus yards in three different seasons. Has led the blocking for an offense averaging 31.4 points and 453.0 yards per game. Earned his degree last year in business supply operations management.

Michael Deiter, G, Wisconsin (6-6, 321, Sr., Curtice, Ohio): A mainstay on the Badgers’ offensive front – he has started all 51 games of his career – that is currently paving the way for the nation’s leading rusher and the sixth-best ground attack. Jonathan Taylor (1,548 yards, 154.8 per game) is the fourth Wisconsin back to record back-to-back 1,500-yard rushing seasons and is 25 yards ahead by average to the nation’s second-leading. Deiter (DEE-ter) should make his school-record 52nd career start Saturday at Purdue – 21 have come at left guard, 16 at center and 14 at left tackle.

Mitch Hyatt, OT, Clemson (6-5, 310, Jr., Suwanee, Ga.): The Tigers’ left tackle is helping produce offensive numbers in record territory. The unbeaten Tigers are one of five schools with three active 1,000-yard career rushers on its current roster (Hyatt has been up front for all three), and Clemson is ninth in the nation in total offense at 526.6 yards per game, which is currently 10th in school history. Hyatt, a 2017 Second Team FWAA All-American and the Outland Trophy Offensive Player of the Month for October, already owns Clemson’s career record for snaps from scrimmage (3,420) and will break another record with a 53rd career start Saturday against Duke.

Ed Oliver, DT, Houston (6-3, 290, Jr., Houston, Texas): The 2017 Outland Trophy winner was the first sophomore to ever win the Outland Trophy and earned FWAA First-Team All-America honors last year. He was an FWAA Freshman All-America in 2016 as well. Despite missing three games and constant double and triple teams, Oliver leads all defensive linemen nationally with an average of 7.29 tackles per game. Oliver’s 1.93 tackles for loss per game is third nationally, and he has a career average of 1.64 tackles for loss per game. His final home game is Thursday against Tulane, as he has already declared to enter the 2019 NFL Draft.

Ben Powers, G, Oklahoma (6-4, 314, Sr., Wichita, Kan.): The Sooners’ left guard is the leader of a line that is currently powering the nation’s top offense in yards per game (577.1) and yards per play (8.91). The 8.91 yards per play is on an NCAA-record pace above Hawaii’s 8.6 from 2006. Oklahoma is the nation’s only team this year with at least 30 rushing touchdowns (31) and at least 30 passing TDs (33), and the Sooners have rushed for at least 300 yards and passed for at least 300 a school-record four times already this year, and in three straight games.

Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson (6-4, 300, Gr., Springfield, Mass.): A standout player for the unbeaten Tigers, even as part of a defensive line featuring four returning All-Americans. Wilkins was an FWAA First-Team All-America selection in 2016. He has 10.5 tackles for loss, second on the team, to go with three sacks and 40 tackles (29 solo) for the season. Clemson was No. 1 nationally in tackles for loss in the first two of Wilkins’ three prior seasons in the middle and was No. 6 last year. His 13.5 stops behind the line have resulted in 67 yards of losses. Wilkins will play in his 54th career game Saturday against Duke. Wilkins graduated in 2017 with a degree in communications in only two-and-a-half years.

Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama (6-5, 301, Jr., Folsom, Calif.): The left tackle for the unbeaten Crimson Tide continues to pace the nation’s No. 5 but arguably most-feared offense. Williams was the Outland Trophy Offensive Player of the Month for September after grading out above 90 percent for the month. The junior has started all 39 games in his career and had perhaps his best game against LSU when Alabama averaged 7.6 yards per rush and gained 576 yards against a then-Top-10 defense and allowed only one sack on a season-high 42 pass attempts. Alabama only yields 0.67 sacks per game, fourth nationally.

Quinnen Williams, NG, Alabama (6-4, 295, So., Birmingham, Ala.): The upstart sophomore leads unbeaten Alabama with 14.0 tackles for loss for minus-58 yards and is tied for 11th in the SEC with 5.0 sacks. He too posted a career game against LSU, tallying career highs in tackles (10) and sacks (2.5) and tying a career high in tackles for loss (3.5). Williams clogs the middle and allows those around him to create havoc – Alabama has had at least 10 tackles for loss in five of 10 games and in three straight. The Crimson Tide’s 36 sacks (3.60 per game) are both tied for No. 3 nationally.

The Outland Trophy is the third-oldest major college football award. Created in 1946 when Dr. John Outland presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award, the Outland Trophy has been given to the best interior lineman in college football ever since. Dr. Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s, eventually took up practice in Kansas City, Mo. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Outland believed linemen did not get the credit they deserved and wanted an award to recognize them.

The Outland Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 24 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about our story.

About the Football Writers Association of America

Founded in 1941, the non-profit Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) consists of more than 1,300 members, including journalists, broadcasters, publicists and key executives in all areas of college football. Led by current President Stefanie Loh of the Seattle Times, longtime Executive Director Steve Richardson, and a board of veteran journalists, the association continues to grow and work to help college football prosper at all levels. Visit footballwriters.com for more information about the FWAA and its award programs.

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for over 25 years.

2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Finalists Named

Alabama boasts a Finalist for 8th straight season

FWAA – Five finalists for the 2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy – presented annually to the nation’s top defensive player by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club are listed below.

In alphabetical order, the finalists are: Kentucky linebacker Josh Allen, Michigan linebacker Devin Bush, LSU safety Grant Delpit, Clemson defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and Alabama nose guard Quinnen Williams.

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The Bronko Nagurski Trophy recipient will be chosen from these five finalists. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association’s entire membership, selects the best defensive player in college football.

The annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Banquet, presented by ACN, will be held on Mon., Dec. 3 at the Charlotte Convention Center. Ohio State’s Tom Cousineau, a member of the FWAA’s 1977 All-America team and a College Football Hall of Famer, will be honored. Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh will be the keynote speaker at the banquet.

2018 Bronko Nagurski Finalists

listed in alphabetical order:

Josh Allen, LB, Kentucky (6-5, 260, Sr., Montclair, N.J.): Allen has hampered opposing offenses as a pass-rush specialist on the edge. He leads the SEC with 15.5 tackles for loss, which is also 11th in the nation. His 11 sacks are third nationally and he is one full sack shy of the Kentucky single-season record. Another half-sack would tie him (25.5 at present) as the Wildcats’ all-time career leader. Allen gets progressively better during the game – nine of his 11 sacks have come in the second half with six of them in the fourth quarter – and he is a takeaway producer with five forced fumbles, second in the nation. His 65 total tackles have helped him be named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week four times.

Devin Bush, LB, Michigan (5-11, 222, Jr., Penbroke Pines, Fla.): Bush is Michigan’s ball-hawking tackle leader (61) on the nation’s leader in total defense (219.8 yards per game). He’s always around the ball on a defense that has allowed 338 fewer yards than any team in the country; his 32 assists lead the team and his 29 solo tackles are second. Bush is the Wolverines’ leader with 8.0 tackles for loss and has had at least one tackle for loss in six games. He tied a career-best 2.5 tackles for loss against Nebraska to go with a season-high nine tackles. His 4.5 sacks are second on the team and Bush has contributed seven or more tackles in six games while breaking up 4.5 passes.

Grant Delpit, S, LSU (6-3, 203, So., Houston, Texas): One of this season’s top underclassmen at any position, Delpit leads the SEC and is tied for third in the nation with five interceptions. He also leads the SEC in passes defensed (11) on a defense that leads the SEC and is sixth nationally in pass efficiency defense (98.28 rating). Delpit is third on the team in tackles with 63 and leads in sacks (4.0) and tackles for loss (9.5, 14th nationally). He’s recorded double-digit tackles in three games with a career-high of 10 against Auburn this season when he also had two interceptions and a sack to earn SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 15.

Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson (6-4, 300, Gr., Springfield, Mass.): A standout player, even as part of a defensive line featuring four returning All-Americans. Wilkins was an FWAA First-Team All-America selection in 2016. He has 10.5 tackles for loss, second on the team, to go with three sacks and 40 tackles (29 solo) for the season. Clemson was No. 1 nationally in tackles for loss in the first two of Wilkins’ three prior seasons in the middle and was No. 6 last year. His 13.5 stops behind the line have resulted in 67 yards of losses. Wilkins will play in his 54th career game Saturday against Duke. Wilkins graduated in 2017 with a degree in communications in only two-and-a-half years.

Quinnen Williams, NG, Alabama (6-4, 295, So., Birmingham, Ala.): The upstart sophomore leads Alabama with 14.0 tackles for loss for minus-58 yards and is tied for 11th in the SEC with 5.0 sacks and a 0.5 sacks per game average. He posted a career game against LSU, tallying career highs in tackles (10) and sacks (2.5) and tying a career high in tackles for loss (3.5). Williams, who earned the Outland Trophy Defensive Player of the Month for October, clogs the middle and allows those around him to create havoc – Alabama has had at least 10 tackles for loss in five of 10 games and in three straight. The Crimson Tide’s 36 team sacks and 3.60 sacks per game are both tied for No. 3 nationally. Has been named a defensive player of the week by the Alabama coaching staff eight times in 10 games.

The FWAA has chosen a National Defensive Player of the Year since 1993. In 1995, the FWAA named the award in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated college football then became a star for professional football’s Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw “Bronko” Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football’s most prestigious awards. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 24 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about our story.

The Football Writers Association of America, founded in 1941, consists of 1,300 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team.

The Charlotte Touchdown Club is a non-profit organization founded in 1991 for the purpose of promoting high school, collegiate, and professional football in the Charlotte, N.C., region. The club’s activities and services focus community attention on the outstanding citizenship, scholarship, sportsmanship, and leadership of area athletes and coaches. Since 1991, the club has raised more than $2,000,000 to benefit area high school and collegiate athletics. The official website of the Charlotte Touchdown Club is touchdownclub.com.

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for over 25 years.

NFL Power Poll – Week 11

  Frank Coyle/ Head Scout

NFL Power Poll – Rams Host Chiefs In Conference Leadership Battle
Brees, Trubisky and Roethlsberger Star in Impressive Wins

Teams of the Week –
    Saints crush Bengals, 51-15
   Steelers bash Panthers, 52-21
 
Players of the Week
  Offense – QB Mitchell Trubisky – Bears     
  Defense – DE Cameron Heyward – Steelers
 
Rookies of Week
    RB Nick Chubb – Browns
    LB Darius Leonard – Colts

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Game of Week #11 – Kansas City Chiefs (9-1) at LA Rams (9-1)  
Rams get a home game with Mexican grass fiasco

Draft Insiders’ – NFL Power Poll – Week 11

NFL Ranking /Record /Team
#1 -9-1 Rams
Rams’ beat the Seahawks. Pumped for the Chiefs.

#2 – 9-1 Chiefs
Chiefs’ cruising behind explosive offense and improving defense.

#3 – 8-1 Saints
Saints’ win their 8^th straight game with another record setting performance by veteran QB Drew Brees.

#4 – 7-3 Patriots
Pats struggled vs tough Titan club lead by ex-player and coach Mike Vrabel.

#5 – 6-2-1 Steelers
Steelers’ starting to peat and will go forward without star runner Le’Veon Bell.

#6 – 7-2 Chargers
Chargers are learning how to win the divisional games.

#7 – 6-3 Panthers
Panthers were punched out by Pittsburgh in a huge Thursday night matchup.

#8 – 6-3 Texans
Texans’ are rested for their trip to Washington of divisional leaders.

#9 – 6-3 Bears
The Bears are looking like a playoff club. Host the Vikings with a chance to gain a strong hold on NFC North leadership.

#10 – 5-3-1 Vikings
Vikings travel to Chi town for critical North leadership in the balance.

#11 – 6-3 Redskins
The Redskins host the Texans looking for signature victory of the season.

#12 – 4-5 Eagles
Eagles lost to the staggering Cowboys. Go to New Orleans in a must win situation.

#13 – 4-5 Seahawks
Seahawks host the Packers in a must situation for both clubs playoff hopes.

#14 – 5-4 Titans
The Titans won another big game this time vs the Patriots. Travel to Indy for vital AFC South matchup.

#15 – 4-4-1 Packers
The Packers face a season defining matchup in Seattle on Thursday night.

#16 – 4-5 Cowboys
The Cowboys beat the Eagles to keep alive their NFC playoff hopes.

#17 – 4-5 Falcons
Falcons are still struggling to get the defense together.

#18 – 5-5 Dolphins
Dolphins are floundering in mediocrity.

#19 – 4-5 Colts
Colts won their third straight vs the Jaguars. Host the rising Titans in great matchup.

#20 – 5-4 Bengals
Bengals’ were trashed by the Saints. Go to Baltimore for divisional matchup.

#21 – 4-5 Ravens
Ravens lost their fourth straight game. Get the crumbling Bengals at home this week.

#22 – 3-6-1 Browns
Browns coming off big win vs the Falcons. Bye week before two road games.

#23 – 3-6 Lions
Lions were pounded in Chicago. Maybe last chance at home vs the Panthers to get back into postseason picture.

#24 – 3-6 Jaguars
Jaguars’ lose their five straight in another weak offensive performance.

#25- 3-6 Broncos
Broncos face heavy AFC schedule down the stretch.

#26 – 3-6 Bucs
Bucs face the Giants after another poor effort.

#27 – 3-7 Bills
Bills exploded against the Jets. Get their bye week to celebrate.

#28 – 3-7 Jets
Jets’ were embarrassed by the Bills and third string QB Matt Barkley.

#29 – 2-7 Giants
The Giants looking for two game winning streak with the Bucs coming to town.

#30 – 2-8 49ers
The 49ers fell to the Giants Monday night. Bye week to prepare for stretch.

#31 – 2-7 Cardinals
Cardinals host the Raiders in the Basement bowl.

#32 – 1-8 Raiders
The Raiders pathetic offense has hit new lows in recent weeks.

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with NFL and college coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 20 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for CBS, ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to NFL and College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites

2018 Biletnikoff Award Semifinalists

The Tallahassee Quarterback Club (TQC) Foundation, Inc., the Florida-based creator and sponsor of the Biletnikoff Award, announced 11 semifinalists for the 2018 Biletnikoff Award. The secure and confidential electronic voting by the distinguished members of the Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee was conducted from November 5th through November 11th, and certified by a prominent CPA firm.

The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the outstanding FBS receiver in college football. Any player, regardless of position (wide receiver, tight end, slot back, and running back) who catches a pass is eligible for the award. As such, the Biletnikoff Award recognizes college football’s outstanding receiver, not merely college football’s outstanding wide receiver.

The semifinalists, finalists, and award recipient are selected by the highly distinguished Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee, a group of prominent college football journalists, commentators, announcers, Biletnikoff Award winners, and other former receivers. Foundation trustees do not vote and have never voted. For a list of voters, please see BiletnikoffAward.com/voters

Announcement Dates

November 18 – Three Finalists

December 6 –  Biletnikoff Award Winner announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards presented by Gildan

The Home Depot College Football Awards airs live on ESPN December 6, 2018, 7 – 9pm (EST)

The name Biletnikoff is synonymous with the term receiver. Fred Biletnikoff, a member of the pro and college football halls of fame, was a consensus All-America receiver at Florida State University, and an All-Pro receiver for the Oakland Raiders. He caught 589 passes for 8,974 yards and 76 touchdowns in his 14-year Raiders career from 1965 through 1978. Fred was the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XI.

The 11 2018 Biletnikoff Award semifinalists are as follows (in alphabetical order):

Player / School

JJ Arcega-Whiteside – Stanford
A.J. Brown – Ole Miss
Marquise Brown – Oklahoma
N’Keal Harry – Arizona State
Andy Isabella – Massachusetts
Jerry Jeudy – Alabama
Rondale Moore – Purdue
David Sills V – West Virginia
John Ursua – Hawaii
Tylan Wallace – Oklahoma State
Antoine Wesley – Texas Tech

The 2018 Biletnikoff Award winner will be presented live on December 6, 2018, on The Home Depot College Football Awards presented by Gildan to be broadcast 7:00 – 9:00pm (EST) on ESPN. College and pro football hall of famer Fred Biletnikoff will announce the 2018 Biletnikoff Award winner on the show.

The correlation between Biletnikoff Award winners and stardom in the National Football League is nearly uniformly consistent. Past Biletnikoff Award winners include Calvin Johnson, Randy Moss, Michael Crabtree, Amari Cooper, and Larry Fitzgerald.

The 2018 Biletnikoff Award winner will be presented the Biletnikoff Award trophy by college and pro football hall of famer Fred Biletnikoff and keynoter & 1993 Lombardi Award and Jim Parker Award winner Aaron Taylor before 550 patrons at the Biletnikoff Award Banquet at the University Center Club at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee on Saturday, February 16, 2019. The banquet was hailed by 2014 keynote speaker Dick Vermeil, as well as by 2013 keynoter Larry Csonka, as “the best banquet in college sports.”

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for over 25 years.

Draft Insiders’ and Coaches Top 25 Teams – Week Twelve

  Frank Coyle – Head Scout

Bama Shuts Out Mississippi St
Georgia Beats Auburn

Players of Week
Offense – WR Tylan Wallace – Oklahoma St
Defense – Alabama defense with 2^nd consecutive shutout vs Mississippi St.

Team of the Week – Georgia beats Auburn
Upset of the Week – Tennessee beats Kentucky 24-7

Games of Week Twelve –
Notre Dame (10-0) vs Syracuse (8-2) at Yankee Stadium, New York City
 

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Top 25 Teams – Week Twelve
Draft Insiders’

Rank/ Team/ Record
1 Alabama – 10-0
2 Clemson – 10-0
3 Notre Dame – 10-0
4 Georgia – 9-1
5 Michigan – 9-1
6 UCF   – 9-0
7 Oklahoma – 9-1
8 West Virginia – 8-1
9 Ohio St – 9-1
10 Washington St – 9-1
11 LSU – 8-2
12 Utah St – 9-1
13 Syracuse – 8-2
14 Kentucky –   7-3
15 Texas – 7-3
16 Washington – 7-3
17 Florida – 7-3
18 Cincinnati – 9-1
19 Iowa St – 6-3
20 Penn State – 7-3
21 Boise St – 8-2
22 Boston College – 7-3
23 Utah – 7-3
24 Northwestern – 6-4
25 UAB – 9-1

Coaches Top 25 Poll

Rank/ Team / Record / Points
1 Alabama (64)  10-0      1624
2 Clemson (1)    10-0      1561
3 Notre Dame    10-0      1490
4 Michigan        9-1        1415
5 Georgia          9-1        1369
6 Oklahoma      9-1        1273
7 West Virginia  8-1        1173
8 Ohio State      9-1        1135
9 Washington State       9-1        1119
10 LSU 8-2        1078
11 UCF 9-0        1042
12 Syracuse      8-2        849
13 Utah State    9-1        698
14 Texas           7-3        662
15 Penn State   7-3        646
16 Florida         7-3        604
17 Washington  7-3        591
18 Iowa State    6-3        403
19 Utah 7-3        387
20 Cincinnati     9-1        383
21 Kentucky      7-3        318
22 Boston College         7-3        309
23 Mississippi State      6-4        219
24 Boise State  8-2        129
25 UAB 9-1        102

Dropped from rankings: Fresno State 17, NC State 22
Others receiving votes: Northwestern 87, Fresno State 64, Army 58, Buffalo 56, Virginia 44, Duke 38, NC State 37, Pittsburgh 30, Texas A&M 29, Michigan State 20, Auburn 19, Troy 17, Appalachian State 14, Missouri 13, San Diego State 10, Wisconsin 7, Arizona State 2, Tennessee 1

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy,  Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff  and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years.

2018 Maxwell Award Semifinalists

The 2018 Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award for the Collegiate Player of the Year

The list includes a field of 20 candidates as selected by the Maxwell Football Club National Selection Committee, including eleven QBs, seven RB and two receivers. Quarterbacks, Tua Tagovailoa of Alabama, Will Grier of West Virginia, Dwayne Haskins of Ohio State and Kyler Murray of Oklahoma will be strong candidates off outstanding 2018 performances.

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The winner will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show presented by Gildan which will be broadcast live on ESPN on Dec. 6. The formal presentation of these awards will be made at the Maxwell Football Club’s Awards Dinner on Friday, March 8, 2019 at the Tropicana Casino & Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Semifinalist voting for the award will close on Nov. 18. Three finalists will be announced on Nov. 19 and a second round of voting will take place at that time. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA head football coaches, sports information directors and selected national media.

Go to  MaxwellFootballClub.org for more information

2018 Maxwell Award Semifinalists:

Tagovailoa Tua QB – Alabama
Grier Will QB – West Virginia
Haskins Dwayne QB – Ohio State
Murray Kyler QB – Oklahoma
McMaryion Marcus QB – Fresno State
King D’Eriq QB – Houston
Book Ian QB – Notre Dame
Herbert Justin QB – Oregon
Minshew Gardner QB – Washington State
McSorley Trace QB – Penn State
Milton McKenzie QB – UCF
Snell Benny RB – Kentucky
Henderson Darrell RB – Memphis
Higdon Karan RB – Michigan
Dillon AJ RB – Boston College
Etienne Travis RB – Clemson
Moss Zack RB – Utah
Taylor Jonathan RB – Wisconsin
Moore Rondale WR – Purdue
Shenault Laviska WR – Colorado

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for over 25 years.

NFL Power Poll – Week 10

Frank Coyle/ Head Scout

NFL Power Poll – Rams Taste First Defeat to The Saints
Brady Outshines Rodgers in Patriots 31-17 Victory

Teams of the Week –
    Saints over Rams, 45-35
Steelers beat Ravens, 23-16
 
Players of the Week
  Offense – QB Drew Brees – Saints     
  Defense – DE Danielle Hunter – Vikings
 
Rookies of Week
    WR Calvin Ridley – Falcons
    LB Roquan Smith – Bears

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Games of Week #10 – Seattle Seahawks (4-4) at LA Rams (8-1)  
Rams host their divisional rival Seahawks, that may decide NFC West title.

 Draft Insiders’ – NFL Power Poll – Week 10

NFL Ranking /Record /Team

#1 – 1 -8-1 Rams
Rams’ suffered their first loss to the Saints. The ‘72 Dolphins party time.

#2 – 8-1 Chiefs
Chiefs’ offense is the most explosive in the game.

#3 – 7-1 Saints
Saints’ are peaking now with their seven-game winning streak. QB Drew Brees is playing like an MVP candidate.

#4 – 7-2 Patriots
Pats took care of the Packers behind another classic performance by QB Tom Brady.

#5 – 6-2 Chargers
Chargers beat the Seahawks in Seattle in a statement performance.

#6 – 6-2 Panthers
Panthers are hot and go to Pittsburgh in a huge Thursday night matchup.

#7 – 5-2-1 Steelers
Steelers’ gained revenge to their earlier loss to Ravens with big victory in Baltimore.

#8 – 6-3 Texans
Texans’ toughed a difficult win in Denver. Get their bye week to gear up for South division run.

#9 – 5-3-1 Vikings
Vikings beat the Lions to go into their bye on a divisional victory.

#10 – 5-3 Bengals
Bengals’ host the Saints coming off their bye in a huge interconference matchup.

#11 – 4-4 Eagles
Eagles host the staggering Cowboys in a key NFC East contest.

#12 – 5-3 Redskins
The Redskins were smoked by the Falcons in their poorest defensive performance of the season.

#13 – 4-4 Seahawks
Seahawks travel to LA to face divisional leader the Rams in a must situation for their playoff hopes.

#14 – 5-3 Bears
The Bears host the faltering Lions with a chance to gain a strong hold on NFC North leadership.

#15 – 5-4 Dolphins
Dolphins go to Titletown to face the desperate Packers.

#16 – 3-4-1 Packers
The Packers host the Fish in a must win situation to keep alive their slim playoff hopes.

#17 – 4-4 Falcons
Falcons offense is carrying this club in hopes of getting healthy on the defensive side of the ball soon.

#18 – 4-5 Ravens
Ravens lost their third straight game. Much needed bye this week before second half schedule.

#19 – 4-4 Titans
The Titans won a big game vs Cowboys. Host the Patriots which may determine any postseason hopes.

#20 – 3-5 Colts
Colts are coming off their bye week and host the Jaguars that will determine any playoff hopes.

#21 – 3-5 Lions
Lions go to Chicago in a desperate situation after another disappointing performance vs the Vikings.

#22 – 3-5 Cowboys
The Cowboys were pounded by the Titans. Face Eagles in a must win situation for any NFC playoff hopes.

#23 – 3-5 Jaguars
Jaguars’ are coming off their bye week and travel to Indy for key divisional matchup.

#24- 3-6 Broncos
Broncos are on their bye week after a disappointing loss especially by their offense.

#25 – 3-5 Bucs
Bucs host the Skins in a must win spot after another poor defensive effort.

#26 – 3-6 Jets
Jets’ failed in a big spot in Miami with rookie QB Sam Darnold throwing four picks.

#27 – 2-6-1 Browns
Browns defense gave up almost 500 yards in their loss to the Chiefs.

#28 – 2-7 49ers
The 49ers beat the Raiders and look to extend it to a two game stretch with the Giants coming in Monday night.

#29 – 2-6 Cardinals
Cardinals go to KC to face Patrick Mahomes. They had two weeks to prepare.

#30 – 2-7 Bills
Bills were trashed by the Bears. Go to MetLife to face the equally struggling Jets.

#31 – 1-7 Giants
The Giants could not lose last week during the bye week. Go to San Fran for a bottom feeder matchup.

#32 – 1-7 Raiders
Da Raiders were taken to the wood shed by the 49ers in last, 34-3. Enough said.

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with NFL and college coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 20 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for CBS, ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to NFL and College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites

 Maxwell Football Club Announces Chuck Bednarik Award 2018 Semifinalists

Five teams, Alabama, Clemson, LSU, Mississippi St and Washington list two Defensive Players on the Semifinalist List

MSU’s Simmons and Sweat Named Bednarik Award Semifinalists
Mississippi State’s Jeffery Simmons and Montez Sweat, the best defensive line duo in America, were both named semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award on Monday by the Maxwell Football Club.

The Bednarik Award is presented annually to the college defensive player of the year by the Maxwell Football Club. The field of contenders is comprised of 20 candidates, featuring a representative from every Power 5 conference. Simmons is one of two returners from last year’s semifinal list. MSU is one of just five schools with multiple semifinalists, joining Alabama, Clemson, LSU and Washington.

College football’s most feared pass rusher, Sweat is tied for second in the Southeastern Conference and seventh in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 8.5 sacks through eight games this season. He has also racked up 11 tackles for loss, which is the third-most in the SEC. No player in the Power 5 has tallied more sacks since the start of the 2017 season than Sweat, who has 19 in his 21 career games played in that span. Sweat, who led the SEC in sacks with 10.5 in 2017, is looking to become the second player since at least 2002 to lead the league in sacks back-to-back years.

A dominant interior force, Simmons leads all SEC defensive linemen with 39 tackles this season and ranks tied for fourth in the conference with 9.5 tackles for loss. Simmons has recorded 18 stops and 16 total pressures, including 12 hurries. In the 21 games played together, the pair of first-round NFL prospects have combined for 48 tackles for loss (28 vs. SEC). Sweat has 26.5, while Simmons has 21.5 (Simmons has 25.0 in his career). The tandem has also combined for 24 sacks (16.5 vs. SEC) as Sweat has 19 and Simmons has five.

Frank Coyle lists  12 of the 20 junior and senior defenders on his Big Board for the NFL Draft 2019.

Semifinalist voting for the award will  close on Nov. 18. Three finalists will be announced on Nov. 19 and a second round of voting will take place at that time. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA head football coaches, sports information directors and selected national media.

The winner will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show presented by Gildan which will be broadcast live on ESPN on Dec. 6. The formal presentation of these awards will be made at the Maxwell Football Club’s Awards Dinner on Friday, March 8, 2019 at the Tropicana Casino & Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

2018 Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalists

DT Quinnen Williams, Alabama
S Deionte Thompson, Alabama
DE Zach Allen, Boston College
DE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
DT Christian Wilkins, Clemson
DE Jachai Polite, Florida
DE Brian Burns, Florida State
CB Deandre Baker, Georgia
DT Ed Oliver, Houston
LB Josh Allen, Kentucky
DE Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech
S Grant Delpit, LSU
LB Devin White, LSU
DE Chase Winovich, Michigan
DE Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
NG Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State
NG Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame
DT Dre’Mont Jones, Ohio State
CB Byron Murphy, Washington
LB Ben Burr-Kirven, Washington

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years.

Draft Insiders’ and Coaches Top 25 Teams – Week Eleven

Bama Shuts Out LSU 29-0 For SEC Championship Berth
Georgia Beats Kentucky For Conference Title Game Matchup

Players of  the Week
Offense – QB Will Grier – West Virginia
Defense – DT Quinnen Williams – Alabama

Team of the Week – Alabama beats LSU
Upset of the Week –   Missouri beats Florida, SMU beats Houston

Games of Week Ten –
Auburn (6-3) at Georgia (8-1)
Clemson (8-0) at Boston College (7-2)

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Top 25 Teams – Week Ten
Draft Insiders’

Rank/ Team/ Record
1 Alabama – 9-0
2 Clemson – 9-0
3 Notre Dame – 9-0
4 Georgia – 8-1
5 Michigan – 8-1
6 UCF   – 8-0
7 Oklahoma – 8-1
8 West Virginia – 7-1
9 Ohio St – 8-1
10 Washington St – 8-1
11 LSU – 7-2
12 Kentucky –   7-2
13 Utah St – 8-1
14 Syracuse – 7-2
15 Fresno St – 8-1
16 North Carolina St – 6-2
17 Texas – 6-3
18 Mississippi St – 6-3
19 Washington – 7-3
20 Boston College – 7-2
21 Florida – 6-3
22 Cincinnati – 8-1
23 Penn State – 6-3
24 Iowa St – 5-3
25 Utah – 6-3

Coaches Top 25 Poll

Rank/ Team / Record / Points
1 Alabama (63)  9-0        1599
2 Clemson (1)    9-0        1537
3 Notre Dame    9-0        1464
4 Michigan        8-1        1390
5 Georgia          8-1        1347
6 Oklahoma      8-1        1272
7 Ohio State      8-1        1109
8 West Virginia  7-1        1108
9 Washington State       8-1        1076
10 LSU 7-2        1063
11 UCF 8-0        1054
12 Kentucky      7-2        761
13 Syracuse      7-2        625
14 Boston College         7-2        580
15 Mississippi State      6-3        567
16 Utah State    8-1        565
17 Fresno State 8-1        490
18 Washington  7-3        463
19 Texas           6-3        433
20 Penn State   6-3        375
21 Florida         6-3        340
22 NC State      6-2        327
23 Cincinnati     8-1        207
24 Utah 6-3        184
25 Iowa State    5-3        151

Dropped from rankings: Houston 17, Iowa 18, Virginia 22

Others receiving votes: Michigan State 144, Auburn 106, Iowa 87, UAB 64, Wisconsin 64, Oregon 51, Houston 41, Army 34, Buffalo 22, Texas A&M 16, San Diego State 15, Purdue 13, Boise State 12, Duke 11, Pittsburgh 10, South Florida 10, South Carolina 7, Missouri 2, Appalachian State 2, North Texas 1, Northwestern 1

 Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy,  Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff  and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years.