College Football Award Winners 2021

Heisman Trophy Award – Sat, Dec 11, ESPN
The Home Depot College Football Awards – Thurs, Dec, 9, 2021

Below is a list of the winners:

Maxwell Award – Player of the Year
– Bryce Young, QB Alabama

Walter Camp Award – Player of the Year
– Kenneth Walker III, RB Michigan State

AP Player of the Year –
Bryce Young, QB Alabama

Davey O’Brien Award – best QB
– Bryce Young, Alabama

Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award – top senior QB
– Kenny Pickett, Pitt

Doak Walker Award – best RB
– Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State

Fred Biletnikoff Award – best WR
– Jordan Addison, Pitt

John Mackey Award – best TE
– Trey McBride, Colorado State

Rimington Trophy – best Center
– Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa

Bronko Nagurski Trophy – best defensive player
– Will Anderson Jr., LB Alabama

Chuck Bednarik Award – defensive player of the year
– Jordan Davis, DT Georgia

Outland Trophy – best interior lineman
– Jordan Davis, DT Georgia

Lombardi Award – top lineman
– Aidan Hutchinson, DE Michigan

Butkus Award – best LBer
– Nakobe Dean, Georgia

Jim Thorpe Award – top defensive back
– Coby Bryant, CB Cincinnati

Lou Groza Award – top kicker
– Jake Moody, Michigan

Ray Guy Award – top punter
– Matt Araiza, San Diego State

The Home Depot Award – Coach of the Year
– Luke Fickell, Cincinnati

Broyles Award – best Assistant Coach
– Josh Gattis, Michigan offensive coordinator

Disney Spirit Award – Inspirational player/team
– Tre Tipton, WR Pitt

Wuerffel Trophy – Community service
– Isaiah Sanders, QB Stanford

Burlsworth Trophy – Top Former Walk-On
– Grant Morgan, LB Arkansas

William V. Campbell Trophy – Academic Heisman
– Charlie Kolar, TE Iowa State

College Football Monday – Week 15

Alabama Bombs Georgia
Cincinnati Bearcats – Nation’s Only Unbeaten Club

Draft Insiders’ – Top 25 Weekly Rankings

Team of Week –  Alabama Pounds Georgia, 41-24
 
Upset of the Week – Baylor over Oklahoma State, 21-16

Offensive Player of Week – QB Bryce Young – Alabama
Defensive Player of Week – LB Will Anderson – Alabama
 
Championship Semi Final Games – Dec, 31, 2021
 
   Cotton Bowl – Arlington, Texas – 3:30 pm, ESPN
  #1 Alabama (12-1) vs #4 Cincinnati (13-0)
 
   Orange Bowl – Miami, Fla – 7:30 pm, ESPN
   #2 Michigan (12-1) vs #3 Georgia (12-1)
 
National Championship Game – Jan. 10, 2022
  Semi Final winners
Indianapolis, In, – 8 pm, ESPN  
 
DraftInsiders.com – Staff – Top 25 Rankings
 

Rank / Team               Record               
1 Alabama                    12-1
2 Michigan                   12-1
3 Georgia                     12-1
4 Cincinnati                 13-0
 
5 Notre Dame              11-1                 
6 Ohio State                 10-2                 
7 Ole Miss                     10-2
8 Utah                           10-3     
9 Baylor                        11-2                 
10 Michigan State      10-2
11 Oklahoma State     11-2
12 Pittsburgh               11-2                 
13 Oklahoma               10-2                 
14 Oregon                     10-3                 
15 Iowa                          10-3
16 Wake Forest           10-3
17 BYU                            10-2
18 North Carolina St   9-3
19 Clemson                     9-3                   
20 Louisiana                12-1
21 Houston                    11-2
22 Arkansas                  8-4                   
23 Kentucky                  9-3
24 Texas A&M               8-4
25 San Diego St           11-2
 
College Football Playoff Rankings
 
Rank /     Team             Record
1          Alabama             12-1                 
2          Michigan            12-1                 
3          Georgia              12-1                 
4          Cincinnati         13-0                 
5          Notre Dame      11-1                 
6          Ohio State         10-2                 
7          Baylor                11-2                 
8          Ole Miss            10-2                 
9          Oklahoma St    11-2                 
10         Michigan St    10-2                 
11         Utah                   10-3                 
12         Pittsburgh       11-2                 
13         BYU                   10-2                 
14         Oregon             10-3                 
15         Iowa                  10-3                 
16         Oklahoma        10-2                 
17         Wake Forest    10-3                 
18         NC State            9-3                   
19         Clemson            9-3                   
20         Houston           11-2                 
21         Arkansas          8-4                   
22         Kentucky          9-3                   
23         Louisiana         12-1                 
24         Texas A&M       8-4       
25         San Diego St    11-2                 

Championship Weekend 2021
SEC and Big Ten Matchups Have Major Impact on
Final Playoff Four Teams

Friday Dec 3
Matchup /Time (ET)    
 
Conference USA Championship Game
Western Kentucky vs   #22 UTSA
            7:00 PM            CBSSN             Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
 
PAC-12 Championship Game
#11 Oregon      #19 Utah
            8:00 PM            ABC     Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV      
 
Saturday, December 4
Matchup / Time  (ET)        
 
Big 12 Championship Game
#8 Baylor vs #7 Oklahoma State
            12:00 PM          ABC                 AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX 
 
MAC Championship Game
Kent State vs Northern Illinois
            12:00 PM          ESPN               Ford Field, Detroit, Mi 
 
Mountain West Championship Game
Utah State vs #21 San Diego State
            3:00 PM            FOX                 Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, Ca          
 
Sun Belt Championship Game
Appalachian State Vs Louisiana
            3:30 PM            ESPN               Cajun Field, Lafayette, La       
 
SEC Championship Gam
#1 Georgia vs #3 Alabama
            4:00 PM            CBS                 Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Ga 

AAC Championship Game
#24 Houston vs #4 Cincinnati
            4:00 PM            ABC                 Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, Oh         
 
Big Ten Championship Game
#5 Michigan vs #16 Iowa
            8:00 PM            FOX                 Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, In    
 
ACC Championship Game
#17 Pittsburgh vs #18 Wake Forest
            8:00 PM            ABC                 Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC        

College Football Playoff

Dec. 1, 2021

Michigan scored their most impressive victory of the Jim Harbaugh era with a strong win over rival Ohio State last week. The Wolverines upset the Buckeyes 42-27 at the Big House, that pushed them into the #2 spot of the new College Playoff rankings. The final rankings will determine which four teams will play in the two CFP semifinals on New Year’s Eve and will be released Sunday, Dec. 5 at noon on ESPN.

Unbeaten Georgia remained No. 1 for the fifth consecutive week, followed by Michigan, Alabama, Cincinnati, Oklahoma State and Notre Dame.

Michigan faces #13 Iowa this Saturday in the Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis. If they win they figure to play in a CFP semifinal at either the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic or Capital One Orange Bowl.

Georgia reached 12-0 for the first time since its last national championship season in 1980 with a 45-0 victory at Georgia Tech on Saturday. The Bulldogs play Alabama in Saturday’s SEC championship game in Atlanta. Georgia might get into the CFP even if it loses to the Crimson Tide because of its dominance this season. They may be the only club who could lose this week and still retain a position in the top four teams.

Undefeated Cincinnati plays Houston in the AAC Championship this Saturday and with a win they probably retain a position in the top four clubs. Both Oklahoma State and Notre Dame are one loss teams that need one of the top clubs to lose this week to move up a few positions to get into the magic four teams.

College Football Top Rankings

1. Georgia, SEC (12-0)
2. Michigan, Big Ten (11-1)
3. Alabama, SEC (11-1)
4. Cincinnati, AAC (12-0)
5. Oklahoma State, Big 12 (11-1)
6. Notre Dame, Independents (11-1)
7. Ohio State, Big Ten (10-2)
8. Ole Miss, SEC (10-2)
9. Baylor, Big 12 (10-2)
10. Oregon, Pac-12 (10-2
11. Michigan State, Big Ten (10-2)
12. BYU, Independents (10-2)
13. Iowa, Big Ten (10-2)
14. Oklahoma, Big 12 (10-2)
15. Pitt, ACC (10-2)
16. Wake Forest, ACC (10-2)
17. Utah, Pac-12 (9-3
18. N.C. State, ACC (9-3)
19. San Diego State, MW (11-1)
20. Clemson, ACC (9-3)
21. Houston, AAC (11-1)
22. Arkansas, SEC (8-4)
23. Kentucky, SEC (9-3)
24. Louisiana, Sun Belt (11-1)
25. Texas A&M, SEC (8-4)

By Conference: SEC 6, ACC 4, Big Ten 4, Big 12 3, American Athletic 2, Independents 2, Pac-12 2, Mountain West 1, Sun Belt 1.

About the College Football Playoff

The College Football Playoff matches the No. 1 ranked team vs. No. 4, and No. 2 vs. No. 3 in semifinal games that rotate annually among six bowl games – the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, PlayStation Fiesta Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Allstate Sugar Bowl and Rose Bowl Game presented by the Capital One Venture X card. This season’s Playoff Semifinals will take place Friday, December 31, 2021, at the Cotton Bowl and Orange Bowl. The College Football Playoff National Championship will be Monday, January 10, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

College Football Monday – Week 14

Michigan Beats Ohio State
Oklahoma St Outlasts Sooners in Wild Bedlam Contest

                Draft Insiders’ – Top 25 Weekly Rankings

Team of Week –  
    Michigan Pounds Ohio St, 42-27
 
Upset of the Week –
    Oklahoma State Comes back vs Oklahoma, 37-33 in Bedlam Bowl

Offensive Player of Week – RB Hassan Haskins – Michigan
Defensive Player of Week – DE Aidan Hutchinson – Michigan
 
Upcoming Championship Games – 12/4
   SEC – #1 Georgia (12-0) vs #2 Alabama (11-1) at Atlanta, Ga.
   Big Ten – #4 Michigan (11-1) vs #13 Iowa (10-2) at Indianapolis, In.    
   
DraftInsiders.com – Staff – Top 25 Rankings

Rank / Team               Record               
1 Georgia                       12-0
2 Alabama                     11-1
3 Cincinnati                  12-0
4 Michigan                    11-1
5 Notre Dame               11-1                 
6 Oklahoma State      11-1
7 Ohio State                  10-2                 
8 Oregon                       10-2                 
9 Oklahoma                 10-2                 
10 Ole Miss                   10-2
11 Baylor                       10-2                 
12 Michigan State     10-2
13 Iowa                         10-2
14 Pittsburgh             10-2                 
15 Wake Forest          10-2     
16 BYU                          10-2
17 Utah                           9-3       
18 North Carolina St    9-3
19 Houston                     11-1
20 San Diego St           11-1
21 Louisiana                 11-1
22 Kentucky                  9-3
23 Clemson                    9-3                   
24 Texas A&M              8-4
25 Arkansas                 8-4                   
 
Coaches Poll
 
Rank /     Team                         Record / Pts    
1          Georgia (62)                 12-0      1550    
2          Alabama                        11-1      1440    
3          Michigan                       11-1      1408    
4          Cincinnati                    12-0      1399    
5          Oklahoma State         11-1      1285    
6          Notre Dame                 11-1      1250    
7          Ohio State                    10-2      1133    
8          Ole Miss                        10-2      1097    
9          Baylor                           10-2      1046    
10         Oregon                         10-2      932      
11         Oklahoma                   10-2      851      
12         Iowa                             10-2      845      
13         Michigan State         10-2      840      
14        BYU                                10-2      741      
15         Pittsburgh                  10-2      640      
16         Houston                      11-1      607      
17         Utah                               9-3        596      
18        Wake Forest               10-2      531      
19         San Diego State        11-1      396      
20         NC State                       9-3        334      
21         Louisiana                     11-1      268      
22         Kentucky                      9-3        226      
23         Texas A&M                  8-4        202      
24         Clemson                       9-3        170      
25         Arkansas                      8-4        128      
 
Others receiving votes: Wisconsin 100, UTSA 36, Appalachian State 30, Air Force 16, Minnesota 13, Purdue 11, Utah State 8, Coastal Carolina 8, Penn State 5, Fresno State 3, UCLA 3, Mississippi State 2
 
Dropped from rankings: Wisconsin 18, UTSA 20

College Football Monday – Week 13

Ohio State Bombs Michigan State
Utah Shocks Oregon

Draft Insiders’ – Top 25 Weekly Rankings

Team of Week –  
    Ohio St Destroys Michigan St, 56-7

Upset of the Week –
   Utah Shocks Oregon, 38-7

Offensive Player of Week – QB Bryce Young – Alabama
Defensive Player of Week – LB Devon Lloyd – Utah
 
Upcoming Key Weekly Matchup – 11/25
    #25 Mississippi State (7-4) @ #10 Ole Miss (9-2)
         Clash of instate SEC rivals
 
Saturday 11/27
#3 Ohio St vs #7 Michigan
#6 Oklahoma vs #8 Oklahoma St
#2 Alabama vs Auburn

DraftInsiders.com   Top 25 Rankings

 Rank / Team               Record               
1 Georgia                     11-0
2 Alabama                    10-1
3 Ohio State                 10-1                 
4 Cincinnati                 11-0
5 Notre Dame               10-1                 
6 Oklahoma                 10-1                 
7 Michigan                   10-1
8 Oklahoma State      10-1
9 Oregon                      9-2                   
10 Ole Miss                  9-2
11 Baylor                     9-2                   
12 Michigan State       9-2                   
13 Iowa                         9-2
14 UTSA                       11-0     
15 Texas A&M              8-3                   
16 Pittsburgh               9-2                   
17 Wake Forest            9-2       
18 BYU                         9-2
19 Utah                        8-3       
20 North Carolina St    8-3
21 Houston                  10-1
22 Wisconsin               8-3       
23 Louisiana                10-1
24 San Diego St           10-1                 
25 Mississippi State    7-4                   
 
Coaches Poll
 
Rank /     Team                         Record / Pts    
1          Georgia (62)                 11-0      1550    
2          Alabama                       10-1      1450    
3          Ohio State                    10-1      1428    
4          Cincinnati                    11-0      1388    
5          Notre Dame                  10-1      1258    
6          Michigan                      10-1      1250    
7          Oklahoma State           10-1      1210    
8          Ole Miss                       9-2        1049    
9          Oklahoma                    10-1      1010    
10         Baylor                          9-2        977      
11         Oregon                         9-2        864      
12         Iowa                             9-2        722      
13         Michigan State             9-2        698      
14         Texas A&M                   8-3        683      
15         BYU                             9-2        675      
16         Houston                       10-1      572      
17         Pittsburgh                    9-2        507      
18        Wisconsin                    8-3        485      
19         Utah                             8-3        478      
20         UTSA                           11-0      475      
21         Wake Forest                 9-2        404      
22         San Diego State           10-1      257      
23         Louisiana                     10-1      236      
24        NC State                       8-3        196      
25         Kentucky                      8-3        91        
 
Others receiving votes: Arkansas 67, Clemson 56, Mississippi State 42, Penn State 22, Appalachian State 20, Purdue 10, Air Force 9, Coastal Carolina 9, Oregon State 2
 
Dropped from rankings: Arkansas 22
 

College Football Monday – Week 12

Baylor Drills Oklahoma
Michigan Edges Penn State

Draft Insiders’ – Top 25 Weekly Rankings

Team of Week –  
    Ohio State Crushes Purdue
 
Upsets of the Week –
   Baylor Shocks Oklahoma, 27-14
   Mississippi State beats Auburn, 43-34

Offensive Player of Week – QB Will Rogers – Mississippi State
Defensive Player of Week – DE Aidan Hutchinson – Michigan
 
Upcoming Key Weekly Matchup – 11/20
    #8 Michigan State (9-1) @ #3 Ohio State (9-1)
         Clash for Big Ten East Leadership
     
DraftInsiders.com   Top 25 Rankings

Rank / Team               Record               
1 Georgia                       10-0
2 Alabama                     9-1
3 Ohio State                  9-1                   
4 Cincinnati                 10-0                 
5 Oregon                         9-1                   
6 Notre Dame               9-1                   
7 Oklahoma                   9-1                   
8 Michigan State          8-1                   
9 Michigan                     9-1
10 Oklahoma State      9-1
11 Wake Forest             9-1                   
12 Baylor                       8-2                   
13 Ole Miss                    8-2
14 Iowa                           7-2
15 UTSA                         10-0     
16 Texas A&M              7-3                   
17 Pittsburgh               8-2                   
18 North Carolina St    8-2
19 BYU                            8-2
20 Houston                  9-1
21 Wisconsin               7-3       
22 Louisiana                9-1
23 Arkansas                 7-3                   
24 San Diego St           9-1                   
25 Utah                          7-3       
 
Coaches Poll
 
Rank /     Team             Record / Pts    
1          Georgia (62)     10-0      1550    
2          Alabama           9-1        1464    
3          Cincinnati        10-0      1401    
4          Ohio State        9-1        1363    
5          Oregon            9-1        1320    
6          Notre Dame      9-1        1181    
7          Michigan          9-1        1153    
8          Michigan St     9-1        1139    
9          Oklahoma St    9-1        1102    
10         Ole Miss           8-2        948      
11        Oklahoma        9-1        878      
12         Wake Forest     9-1        847      
13         Baylor              8-2        826      
14         Iowa                 8-2        637      
15         BYU                 8-2        605      
16         Texas A&M       7-3        560      
17         Houston           9-1        541      
18         UTSA               10-0      528      
19         Pittsburgh        8-2        446      
20        Wisconsin        7-3        407      
21         Louisiana         9-1        239      
22         Arkansas          7-3        212      
23         San Diego St    9-1        210      
24         NC State           7-3        138      
25        Utah                 7-3        133      
 
Others receiving votes: Kentucky 113, SMU 45, Coastal Carolina 34, Appalachian State 31, Mississippi State 26, Penn State 20, Auburn 18, Utah State 9, Purdue 7, Louisville 5, Kansas State 4, Fresno State 4, Clemson 4, Arizona State 2
 
Dropped from rankings: Auburn 20, Coastal Carolina 21, Penn State 23
 

Heisman Trophy Watch 2021

Nov 12, 2021

QB Bryce Young – Alabama, Soph.
QB CJ Stroud – Ohio State, Fr.
RB Kenneth Walker III – Michigan State, Jr.
QB Caleb Williams – Oklahoma, Fr.
QB Kenny Pickett – Pittsburgh, Sr.
QB Matt Corral – Ole Miss, Jr.

Heisman Trophy award for 2021 will be announced live on Dec. 11, 2021 at 8 pm on ESPN.
Frank Coyle has been a Heisman Trophy award voter for 28 years.

Top Candidates

QB Bryce Young – Alabama, Soph.
First year starter has taken SEC by storm. Two late SEC games vs Arkansas and Auburn may determine his chances.

QB CJ Stroud – Ohio State, Fr.
Freshman starter performed well vs a soft early schedule. Finishes vs three top Big Ten clubs, Purdue, Michigan St and Michigan puts him center stage.

RB Kenneth Walker III – Michigan State, Jr.
Big athletic runner has been dominant in the Big Ten. His final two games vs Ohio St and Penn St. gives him a change to make a final statement.

QB Caleb Williams – Oklahoma, Fr.
Freshman starter took over early this season and never looked back. Gets three big late games vs Baylor, Iowa St and Oklahoma that gives him a chance to move to the top of this list.

QB Kenny Pickett – Pittsburgh, Sr.
Record setting senior has directed a potent offense vs top clubs. Maybe got on the radar late but completing an impressive final season.

QB Matt Corral – Ole Miss, Jr.
Slick throwing junior had a strong first half. Late season injury may be hurt his chances, though a late test vs Texas A&M could change that.

Walter Payton Award 2021 Watch List

UNI football’s Trevor Penning is the first offensive lineman to be named to this year’s Walter Payton Award watch list.

Penning was among 11 players added today, which now includes 46 players. The 2021 Stats Perform FCS Walter Payton Award is presented annually to the national offensive player of the year in college football’s Division I subdivision.

Trevor Penning is our #1 small college prospect and a potential high draft selection. He is scheduled to play in the 2022 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.

For the 2021-22 Award Calendar- Player & Coach Awards – Go to www.draftinsiders.com

The Payton Award is celebrating its 35th anniversary season. It’s named for the legendary Hall of Fame running back. Past recipients include Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo, Cooper Kupp and Trey Lance.

Penning became the first Panther to earn the Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week award Oct. 25 following UNI’s win over No. 6 South Dakota State. He also earned MVFC First Team Preseason honors.

Newest members by position:

Quarterback
Davis Alexander, Portland State
Ren Hefley, Presbyterian
Keon Howard, UT Martin
Cole Johnson, James Madison
Shedeur Sanders, Jackson State
Jason Shelley, Missouri State
Xavier Shepherd, Kennesaw State

Running Back
Malik Grant, Sacred Heart
Isaiah Ifanse, Montana State

Wide Receiver
Xavier Gipson, Stephen F. Austin

Offensive Line
Trevor Penning, UNI

College Football Monday – Week 11

Purdue Upsets Michigan State
Texas A&M Beats Auburn

Draft Insiders’ – Top 25 Weekly Rankings

Team of Week –  
  #9 Texas A&M beats #17 Auburn, 20-3
 
Upset of the Week –
    Purdue over Michigan St., 40-29

Offensive Player of  Week – QB Aidan O’Connell – Purdue
Defensive Player of  Week – CB Steven Jones – Appalachian State
 
Upcoming Key Weekly Matchup – 11/13
    #3 Oklahoma (9-0) @ #13 Baylor (7-2)
         Clash of Big 12 Contenders

DraftInsiders.com   Top 25 Rankings

Rank / Team               Record               
1 Georgia                        9-0
2 Alabama                     8-1                   
3 Oklahoma                  9-0                   
4 Ohio State                  8-1                   
5 Cincinnati                  9-0                   
6 Oregon                        8-1                   
7 Notre Dame               8-1                   
8 Michigan  State       8-1
9 Texas A&M                 7-2                   
10 Michigan                  8-1                   
11 Oklahoma State     8-1
12 Wake Forest            8-1                   
13 Baylor                       7-2                   
14 Ole Miss                   7-2
15 Iowa                          6-2
16 UTSA                        8-0       
17 Auburn                     6-3                   
18 Pittsburgh               7-2                   
19 North Carolina St   7-2
20 BYU                           8-2
21 Houston                    7-1
22 Coastal Carolina     7-1       
23 Penn State               6-3
24 Wisconsin               6-3       
25 Louisiana                8-1
 

Coaches Poll

Rank /     Team             Record / Pts    
1          Georgia (64)     9-0        1600    
2          Alabama            8-1        1483    
3          Cincinnati         9-0        1430    
4          Oklahoma         9-0        1423    
5          Ohio State         8-1        1356    
6          Oregon               8-1        1291    
7          Notre Dame      8-1        1182    
8          Michigan          8-1        1099    
9          Michigan St     8-1        1074    
10         Oklahoma St   8-1        1045    
11         Texas A&M       7-2        1023    
12         Ole Miss            7-2        862      
13         Wake Forest    8-1        769      
14         Iowa                   7-2        636      
15         BYU                    8-2        552      
16         UTSA                 9-0        525      
17         Houston           8-1        472      
18         Baylor              7-2        449      
19         NC State           7-2        445      
20         Auburn             6-3        382      
21         Coastal Carolina 8-1    335      
22         Pittsburgh        7-2        293      
23         Penn State        6-3        249      
24        Wisconsin         6-3        177      
25         Louisiana         8-1        164      

          Others receiving votes: Arkansas 116, San Diego State 103, Purdue 77, Kentucky 74, Utah 34, Iowa State 21, Appalachian State 19, SMU 18, Minnesota 10, Nevada 3, Fresno State 3, Clemson 3, Tennessee 2, Arizona State 1
 
Dropped from rankings: Kentucky 17, SMU 24