Ken Schreiber picks his end-of-season college football award winners; So who'd he select?
One game to go, which we will preview and predict on Monday. But for now, let's look at the season in review.
We attended games in every Power Five conference, plus Notre Dame, and one common element resonates throughout. That is that big-time college football remains popular — whether it is in Austin, Texas, or Tuscaloosa, Alabama, or at places like North Dakota, Maine and even Providence. Why? Because it's played by young men who bring passion each week. That passion is echoed in the stands and delivered to millions via radio, online streaming and television. The fact that nearly every Power Game is televised has not created a glut but an opportunity for anyone with interest to watch the spectacle, excitement and drama that only college football provides.
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Case in point was last week's two stunning and dramatic semifinals, with No. 1 Georgia holding off No. 4 Ohio State, 42-41, thanks to a missed, last-second field goal; and No. 3 TCU upsetting No. 2 Michigan, 51-45. While it says here the Buckeyes acquitted themselves with a superb effort, they quit on their fans and for that reason alone shouldn't have been elevated. Fortunately for them, I don't have a vote. The Wolverines clearly had more talent than TCU but kept shooting themselves in the foot. Two pick-6s and failing to score from the 1- and 2-yard lines put the Wolverines in catchup mode the entire game. Turnovers, something Michigan never showed a propensity for all year, ultimately did them in. At least we finally had two competitive semifinal games.
Year-end awards
Coach of the year: Sonny Dykes had this locked up a long time ago. Picked seventh in their conference, Dykes has TCU in the CFP championship game. Honorable mention goes to Tulane coach Willie Fritz, who brought the Green Wave from 2-10 last year to 12-2 this season, including a thrilling 46-45 comeback victory over USC in the Cotton Bowl.
Player of the Year: Has to be quarterback Caleb Williams of USC who not only won the Heisman Trophy but made some plays during the season that can only be described as acrobatic. His statistics jump off the page (4,537 passing yards, 42 touchdown passes). Fast, athletic and blessed with a rocket arm, Williams changed the culture at USC, brought national prominence to the program and will be the No.1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft as he has one year left to play. What goes unnoticed and unmentioned by the media (with the exception of Kirk Herbstreit) is his ridiculous and abhorrent painting of his fingernails with a profanity to express his feelings for the opponent. What example does that set? Where is the media criticizing this and where is his coach Lincoln Riley or even the Pac 12? Sure, I believe in the first amendment but not when it's used without provocation to simply insult the recipient with expletives. It's unnecessary, offensive and should not be tolerated. If he were an insignificant player instead of the best quarterback in college football, Riley would have told him to remove the vulgarity but instead he gets a pass. Disgraceful.
Game of the year: Easy one. Tennessee's historic win over Alabama. Both teams were undefeated and the Vols hadn't defeated the Tide in 14 years. Every down in the second half kept you on the edge of your seat. Ultimately, with the score tied at 49, 'Bama lined up for a 50-yard field goal with 20 seconds left. After a dramatic miss, Tennessee completed two passes for 45 yards and the Vols converted a 40-yard field goal on the last play to win it 52-49, sending Vol Nation into a frenzy. It was electric. Honorable mention: Tulane scoring 16 points in the last four minutes, including converting two fourth-down conversions on the final drive, for that 46-45 Cotton Bowl win over USC.
Best media meal: There's nothing like Notre Dame's spread with the shrimp cocktail, prime rib and a presentation good enough for an "A" wedding reception. Honorable mention has be that homemade macaroni cheese with fried bologna that is a fixture at Oklahoma State games.
Best venue: Can't argue with Tennessee where the fans did not sit down from the time they entered the stadium. The game was a roller-coaster ride but Vol Nation just kept screaming and singing "Rocky Top." A surreal experience. Honorable mention: LSU, but only on a Saturday night and if it's playing a quality opponent like Alabama. Two weeks later, LSU announced an attendance of over 97,000 for the Alabama-Birmingham game but the place was 75% empty.
Best mascot: Arkansas' huge swine named Tusk. Honorable mention: Penn State's Nittany Lion.
Best fight song: For me, it is Notre Dame's, which I have known since I was 7. Honorable mention to Michigan.
Best band: Tough one here. Ohio State and Alabama's million-dollar band are tied. Honorable mention to Michigan and Notre Dame.
Best college football traditions: The hog calling at Arkansas was authentic but there is nothing like when Clemson's team comes running down from the top of the stadium onto the field to touch former coach Frank Howard's rock (which supposedly has mystical powers).
Best tailgating: Hands-down, Ole Miss. Nothing like it in sports, where you get every kind of food with live music, featuring bands playing rock, country and dixie. An out-of-body experience.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Ken Schreiber makes his end-of-season award picks
