Handing out bye week hardware
We're not quite halfway done with 2015, but five games in is as good a time to do this as any if you've got a bye week. So here are some of the (made up) awards for the 2015 Aggies through 5 games:
MVP: Myles Garrett. I almost went with Christian Kirk because of what he does on offense and special teams, but Garrett and Leonard Fournette are alone in the conversation about the best players in college football.
Offensive MVP: Kyle Allen. He's getting better and has made the offense so potent we're not happy with 40 points a game. The only sophomore in the top 10 in passing efficiency nationwide.
Special teams MVP and Rookie of the Year: Kirk. If you beat out Drew Kaser, who could well win the Guy Award, you're something special.
Defensive MVP not named Myles Garrett: Donovan Wilson. The guy is putting up amazing numbers and he doesn't even play all the time.
Pleasant surprise of the year: The play of the corners -- Devante Harris, Brandon Williams and Nick Harvey in particular. They've been quite solid.
Disappointment of the year: The inability to keep Speedy and James White healthy.
Unsung hero award: Alonzo Williams. He's played very well and hasn't got the attention or the stats he deserves. He has brought stability to a young, explosive and very talented line.
You scare me to death award: the linebackers. The need to keep throwing true freshmen out there due to injuries is terrifying.
The pay the man his money award: goes to John Chavis. Who else?
Hit of the year: Daylon Mack's destruction of the entire Nevada backfield.
Play of the year: Allen to Kirk in OT vs. Arkansas.
The indispensable man award: Goes to Tra Carson. A&M's in a bad place without him.
Refreshing change of the year: the number of leaders among the players -- not just seniors -- and the calm locker room.
Embarrassment of the year: ASU's defensive ends against Garrett and Daeshon Hall.
Players up for All-SEC consideration after 5 games: Allen, Kirk, Avery Gennesy, Kaser, Garrett, Hall, Josh Reynolds, Armani Watts
Coach hot seats
Obviously, Kevin Sumlin and his guys are fine. There are some people in South Florida who want Sumlin as the next coach of the Dolphins, but I don't see that one being a real threat. Maybe after 2016, but not now. He's too tied up due to his contract.
But some guys may not be in such good shape -- if you look at the fan boards and some columnists. But the real truth of the matter is a lot of guys rumored to be in trouble aren't.
First is Charlie Strong. Yeah, his team sucks and it's going to be a bad year. But the vast majority of big donors are still backing him and are in their "Blame RC" phase (of course, it's "Blame Mack" for them). We'll see where things stand at the end of the year if they get slaughtered by OU, Tech and Baylor, but he's ok right now.
Bret Bielema isn't going anywhere. He's still got $14 million left on his deal and Arkansas isn't going to want to shell that out for nothing. And they're showing signs of life, to boot.
Butch Jones is one guy that his fan base HATES HATES HATES right now. But his recruiting has been really good and his teams have been competitive as they lose. He probably has one more year of leeway, but if they struggle in 2016, that's it.
I talked to my LSU donor friend the other day and he's disgusted. He swears it was 10 wins or bust for Les and he thinks they're going to get there. Considering what's left on their schedule, they've got a real chance of doing it, too. A&M may be the stumbling block.
Two guys who may well be in it deep are Steve Spurrier and (seriously) Gus Malzahn. The Gamecocks are awful and Spurrier is too old to want to rebuild; he may be one foot out the door anyway. And Auburn has a history of a quick trigger when coaches disappoint -- and Auburn is seriously bad right now.
We're not quite halfway done with 2015, but five games in is as good a time to do this as any if you've got a bye week. So here are some of the (made up) awards for the 2015 Aggies through 5 games:
MVP: Myles Garrett. I almost went with Christian Kirk because of what he does on offense and special teams, but Garrett and Leonard Fournette are alone in the conversation about the best players in college football.
Offensive MVP: Kyle Allen. He's getting better and has made the offense so potent we're not happy with 40 points a game. The only sophomore in the top 10 in passing efficiency nationwide.
Special teams MVP and Rookie of the Year: Kirk. If you beat out Drew Kaser, who could well win the Guy Award, you're something special.
Defensive MVP not named Myles Garrett: Donovan Wilson. The guy is putting up amazing numbers and he doesn't even play all the time.
Pleasant surprise of the year: The play of the corners -- Devante Harris, Brandon Williams and Nick Harvey in particular. They've been quite solid.
Disappointment of the year: The inability to keep Speedy and James White healthy.
Unsung hero award: Alonzo Williams. He's played very well and hasn't got the attention or the stats he deserves. He has brought stability to a young, explosive and very talented line.
You scare me to death award: the linebackers. The need to keep throwing true freshmen out there due to injuries is terrifying.
The pay the man his money award: goes to John Chavis. Who else?
Hit of the year: Daylon Mack's destruction of the entire Nevada backfield.
Play of the year: Allen to Kirk in OT vs. Arkansas.
The indispensable man award: Goes to Tra Carson. A&M's in a bad place without him.
Refreshing change of the year: the number of leaders among the players -- not just seniors -- and the calm locker room.
Embarrassment of the year: ASU's defensive ends against Garrett and Daeshon Hall.
Players up for All-SEC consideration after 5 games: Allen, Kirk, Avery Gennesy, Kaser, Garrett, Hall, Josh Reynolds, Armani Watts
Coach hot seats
Obviously, Kevin Sumlin and his guys are fine. There are some people in South Florida who want Sumlin as the next coach of the Dolphins, but I don't see that one being a real threat. Maybe after 2016, but not now. He's too tied up due to his contract.
But some guys may not be in such good shape -- if you look at the fan boards and some columnists. But the real truth of the matter is a lot of guys rumored to be in trouble aren't.
First is Charlie Strong. Yeah, his team sucks and it's going to be a bad year. But the vast majority of big donors are still backing him and are in their "Blame RC" phase (of course, it's "Blame Mack" for them). We'll see where things stand at the end of the year if they get slaughtered by OU, Tech and Baylor, but he's ok right now.
Bret Bielema isn't going anywhere. He's still got $14 million left on his deal and Arkansas isn't going to want to shell that out for nothing. And they're showing signs of life, to boot.
Butch Jones is one guy that his fan base HATES HATES HATES right now. But his recruiting has been really good and his teams have been competitive as they lose. He probably has one more year of leeway, but if they struggle in 2016, that's it.
I talked to my LSU donor friend the other day and he's disgusted. He swears it was 10 wins or bust for Les and he thinks they're going to get there. Considering what's left on their schedule, they've got a real chance of doing it, too. A&M may be the stumbling block.
Two guys who may well be in it deep are Steve Spurrier and (seriously) Gus Malzahn. The Gamecocks are awful and Spurrier is too old to want to rebuild; he may be one foot out the door anyway. And Auburn has a history of a quick trigger when coaches disappoint -- and Auburn is seriously bad right now.
