Some people say that college football awards don't really matter. And to those people I say, "So what?" If we want to have an hour awards show in December during the lull between championship weekend and the bowl games, then we will.

Some also say that the only award that matters is the Heisman. And to those people I say, "Incorrect." The Heisman Trophy typically goes to a running back or quarterback. So you are meaning to tell me that the rest of the players on the team - from the wide receivers to the linemen to the linebackers to the secondary - don't matter? I refuse to admit that. So that's why I've compiled a list of my predicted winners for awards at each position. I also have some contenders for each award. Enjoy.


Heisman/Walter Camp/Maxwell (Player of the Year)

Winner: Matthew Stafford (QB/Georgia) - It is my belief that Stafford will develop into the top pick in the NFL Draft, and to do so, he must have an excellent junior year at Georgia. He has a talented team surrounding him, and he can lean on running back Knowshon Moreno to help his passing game. Plus, as a Buckeye, there is no way that I could rightfully pick Tim Tebow to repeat, as Archie Griffin is the only player to ever win two Heismans.

Candidates:
Tim Tebow (QB/Florida) - I've picked Florida to bounce back, but he'll probably get less rushing yards now that Emmanuel Moody is eligible to play at RB. There is just too much talent surrounding him to rightfully call him an MVP.

Chase Daniel (QB/Missouri) - He's a little guy, but he plays a big part in Missouri's excellent offense. Most of his top guys are back, so if he gets in a groove throughout the year, he could slide into contention for the award without really being noticed.

Chris Wells (RB/Ohio State) - He's overlooked at times in a stacked OSU offense, but this guy is always there. He has developed from a player that even coach Jim Tressel referred to as soft (in so many words, of course) to one of the best bruisers in the Big Ten. Plus, he has incredible speed for a guy of his size (remember him running away from the entire LSU defense in the NC game last year, including All-American safety Craig Steltz?). If the Buckeyes are near the top of the rankings at the end of the year, then he'll be a big reason for their success as well as being a legitimate Heisman candidate.

Darkhorses:
Sam Bradford (QB/Oklahoma), Knowshon Moreno (RB/Georgia), Michael Crabtree (WR/Texas Tech), Pat White (QB/West Virginia), Graham Harrell (QB/Texas Tech), Jeremy Maclin (WR/Missouri), Juice Williams (QB/Illinois)




Davey O'Brien Award (Best QB)

Winner: Matthew Stafford (QB/Georgia) - I picked him to win the Heisman, which means I have to pick him here as well.

Candidates:
Tim Tebow (QB/Florida) - Pretty much goes without saying.

Chase Daniel (QB/Missouri) - Again, if the rest of his offense can play up to his standards, then he's a player to watch out for - and Missou is a team to watch out for.

Sam Bradford (QB/Oklahoma) - He was the top-rated passer last year, but the fact that he is not the preseason favorite for most of these awards says that he still must prove that he was not a one-year wonder.

Darkhorses:
Pat White (QB/West Virginia), Graham Harrell (QB/Texas Tech), Todd Boeckman (QB/Ohio St)




Doak Walker Award (Top RB)

Winner: Chris Wells (RB/Ohio State) - Like I said above, Wells is a big key to the success of the OSU offense. If the Bucks are to excel, then Wells will have to have a stellar year.

Candidates:
Knowshon Moreno (RB/Georgia) - Stafford might outshine him in the Heisman race, but Matty has no chance to steal this one from the best back at Georgia in a long while.

Damion Fletcher (RB/Southern Miss) - Not many people know about this kid from USM, but he should play a huge part in new coach Larry Fedora's spread offense. He'll carry the offense while his QB adjusts to the new system, and while he may record fewer rushing yards, he'll be a big cog out of the backfield for short screen passes.

Darkhorses:
James Davis (RB/Clemson), P.J. Hill (RB/Wisconsin), Ian Johnson (RB/Boise St), Joe McKnight (RB/USC)




Biletnikoff Award (Best WR)

Winner: Michael Crabtree (WR/Texas Tech) - There is little doubt in my mind about this one. With QB Graham Harrell throwing just about everything his way, Crabtree could be heading into a huge season. He's one of the best NFL WR prospects, but he'll be a Red Raider for at least two more years, as he's just a true sophomore.

Candidates:
Jeremy Maclin (WR/Missouri) - He gets the ball in a lot of ways in the Missouri offense, so Maclin - another true sophomore - might have a better shot at the Heisman.

Percy Harvin (WR/Florida) - A lot of people forgot about him last year after his amazing freshman campaign, and boy was that a mistake. Harvin is back and ready to prove that he is NFL material even though he plays in that kooky Gator offense.

Darkhorses:
Jarett Dillard (WR/Rice), Dante Love (WR/Ball State), Brian Robiskie (WR/Ohio St)




Outland Trophy (Best Lineman)

Winner: Fili Moala (DT/USC) - Moala should be in for a big season. He is the anchor in the USC defense, and this guy could also be headed to the NFL as a top 5 pick in next year's draft.

Candidates:
Duke Robinson (G/Oklahoma) - You may not have heard of him, but this guy is the best offensive lineman in the country. RB DeMarco Murray's success depends greatly on the holes that Robinson will be able to open for him.

Sen'Derick Marks (DT/Auburn) - He's the anchor of Auburn's defense, which could be the best in the country. He's just a junior, but he'll be a first-round NFL draft pick if he comes out after this season.

Darkhorses:
Jonathan Luigs (C/Arkansas), Michael Oher (T/Ole Miss), Alex Mack (C/Cal)




Bednarik/Nagurski (Best Defensive Player)

Winner: James Laurinaitis (LB/Ohio St) - Laurinaitis, a player who followed precedent for Ohio St linebackers by returning for his senior season despite great interest from the NFL, returns this year as the best linebacker in the country. He has great size, great speed, and his instincts are ever-improving at the middle linebacker spot that he is playing for the Buckeyes.

Candidates:
George Selvie (DE/USF) - Selvie exploded onto the scene last year from out of nowhere as the leader on the upstart Bulls' defense, and he can only be a year better this time around. A big question is whether he'll be able to handle the constant double- and triple-teams that will be thrown at him from opposing offenses.

Patrick Chung (DB/Oregon) - I don't know if I've ever seen such a great player at a skill position ignored as much as Chung is. His size and speed help the underrated player excel as the rover in the Ducks' defense.

Darkhorses:
Maurice Evans (DE/Penn St), George Hypolite (DL/Colorado), Joe Mortensen (LB/Kansas), Malcolm Jenkins (CB/Ohio St)




Butkus Award (Best LB)

Winner: James Laurinaitis (LB/Ohio St) - Laurinaitis has failed to sweep the defensive trophies the past two years, but this looks to be his best shot as he is the biggest name in the game.

Candidates:
Joe Mortensen (LB/Kansas) - If you haven't heard of him yet, then wait a couple of months. If all goes right, the anchor of the overlooked Kansas defense will be all but a household name by the end of the season.

Rey Maualuga (LB/USC) - Maualuga has been the big hitter at LB on USC's defense for the past two years, and he hopes to pick up some trophies at the end of this year for his performance on the most talented team in the country.

Darkhorses:
Scott McKillop (LB/Pitt), Brandon Spikes (LB/Florida), Adam Leonard (LB/Hawaii)




Thorpe Award (Best DB)

Winner: Patrick Chung (S/Oregon) - The extremely athletic and talented player plans to show that he can do it all as he will mainly play safety this year after moving over from corner.

Candidates:
Malcolm Jenkins (CB/Ohio St) - The NFL is all over this kid. He surprised some when he came back to OSU for his senior season, but Jenkins - who some have compared to Charles Woodson - wants to get the taste of two consecutive runner-up finishes in the NC game out of his mouth.

Vontae Davis (CB/Illinois) - The Illini defense is stout, and Davis is the best of a great bunch in Champaign. He can play both zone and man-to-man, but Ron Zook hopes to put him on the top opposing WR and not have to worry about that man all day. A big matchup with Heisman candidate Jeremy Maclin of Missouri awaits week one.

Darkhorses:
Joe Burnett (CB/UCF), Myron Rolle (S/Florida St), Victor Harris (CB/Virginia Tech)




Lou Groza Award (Best K)

Winner: Thomas Webber (K/Arizona St) - Webber is just a soph, but he's already starting to gain some national attention for his work thus far at ASU. The accolades should start to flow for this kid, both accurate and strong.

Candidates:
Austin Starr (K/Indiana), Pat McAfee (K/West Virginia), Sam Swank (K/Wake Forrest)




Ray Guy Award (Best P)

Winner: Britt Barefoot (P/Southern Miss) - With a name like Barefoot, how could I not pick him to win this award?

Candidates:
Kevin Huber (P/Cincinnati), A.J. Trapasso (P/Ohio St), Jeremy Boone (P/Penn St)

More:
Coaching Changes

Who are your predicted award winners?