MaxwellPundit: Week Nine
Just a few weeks ago the Maxwell Award seemed to be quicksilver, slipping through the hands of those who very nearly posessed it at various points this season... but now? Now we have a dominant frontrunner, a clear #2 and the battle to be on the ballot is just plain fun to watch as a college football fan. The next four weeks will tell us everything, starting with Thursday night at Papa John's Stadium.
Rod Tidwell has respectfully asked, "SHOW ME THE BALLOT!"
1- Troy Smith, Quarterback/Cybernetic Breaker of Wills, The Ohio State University
This is the section where I usually give you Troy's stats from the previous week and tell you about a nasty play he made, etc, but it's all the same now; why bother repeating myself on a weekly basis. Why is Smith your Maxwell Award winner? This. Man. Can. Not. Be. Stopped. The guy is absolutely unconscious on the field. Noone else is even close to him right now.
(Last Week- 1)
2- Steve Slaton, Tailback/Dolly Madison Afficionado, West Virginia University
Would it be piling on to say that the bye week was the toughest competition Slaton's seen so far this season? Just checking. I don't think I need to tell you what Thursday night's game at UL means to his Maxwell candidacy.
(Last Week- 2)
3- Brady Quinn, Quarterback/Naval Destroyer, University of Notre Dame
A.J. Hawk's Brother-in-law continues to shred the would-be competition that the Irish have faced since the debacle at home against that school up north and--if you can even believe this is possible for a Notre Dame QB--is very quietly re-asserting himself in the Player of the Year chase.
(Last Week- 3)
4- Erik Ainge, Quarterback/Second Half Standout, University of Tennessee
Steve Spurrier once famously cracked, "You can't spell Citrus Bowl without 'UT'," but with the clutch play of #10 in neon orange of late, we may need to soon amend that to "You can't spell Allstate Sugar Bowl without 'UT'." Okay, maybe not... but it'd be fun. Ainge has led some gutty comebacks in the uber-difficult SEC and though UT may not catch Florida, a couple more big games against LSU and Arkansas and Mr. Ainge will find himself seated at the Maxwell Club and also participating in a BCS bowl game.
(Last Week- NR)
5- Calvin Johnson, Wide Receiver/Serious Injury From Above, Georgia Tech
He's a ramblin' wreck from Georgia Tech and a hell of a wide receiver, it's true... but his lackluster stat line of 5 grabs, 68 yards and a TD against the team formerly known as Miami isn't enough to keep him from continuing to fall in my ballot. In the interest of full disclosure: his TD snag and the 43-yard reception are what's keeping him on my ballot at all. I have faith that ol' #21 can get back on track, though my confidence in that is all dependent on Reggie Ball. On second thought...
(Last Week- 4)
Dropped out- Ray Rice, Rutgers
***
Also considered- Ray Rice (RU), James Laurinaitis (OSU), Robert Meachem (UT), Mario Manningham (UM), Marshawn Lynch (Cal), P.J. Hill (WISC)
Eliminated from future consideration- Chris Leak (UF), Garrett Wolfe (NIU)
Considered for comedic purposes- Jake Kilroy (Kent St), Lloyd Carr's Injury Report (UM)
Absolutely not considered- Mike Hart (UM), Chad Henne (UM)
Rod Tidwell has respectfully asked, "SHOW ME THE BALLOT!"
1- Troy Smith, Quarterback/Cybernetic Breaker of Wills, The Ohio State University
This is the section where I usually give you Troy's stats from the previous week and tell you about a nasty play he made, etc, but it's all the same now; why bother repeating myself on a weekly basis. Why is Smith your Maxwell Award winner? This. Man. Can. Not. Be. Stopped. The guy is absolutely unconscious on the field. Noone else is even close to him right now.
(Last Week- 1)
2- Steve Slaton, Tailback/Dolly Madison Afficionado, West Virginia University
Would it be piling on to say that the bye week was the toughest competition Slaton's seen so far this season? Just checking. I don't think I need to tell you what Thursday night's game at UL means to his Maxwell candidacy.
(Last Week- 2)
3- Brady Quinn, Quarterback/Naval Destroyer, University of Notre Dame
A.J. Hawk's Brother-in-law continues to shred the would-be competition that the Irish have faced since the debacle at home against that school up north and--if you can even believe this is possible for a Notre Dame QB--is very quietly re-asserting himself in the Player of the Year chase.
(Last Week- 3)
4- Erik Ainge, Quarterback/Second Half Standout, University of Tennessee
Steve Spurrier once famously cracked, "You can't spell Citrus Bowl without 'UT'," but with the clutch play of #10 in neon orange of late, we may need to soon amend that to "You can't spell Allstate Sugar Bowl without 'UT'." Okay, maybe not... but it'd be fun. Ainge has led some gutty comebacks in the uber-difficult SEC and though UT may not catch Florida, a couple more big games against LSU and Arkansas and Mr. Ainge will find himself seated at the Maxwell Club and also participating in a BCS bowl game.
(Last Week- NR)
5- Calvin Johnson, Wide Receiver/Serious Injury From Above, Georgia Tech
He's a ramblin' wreck from Georgia Tech and a hell of a wide receiver, it's true... but his lackluster stat line of 5 grabs, 68 yards and a TD against the team formerly known as Miami isn't enough to keep him from continuing to fall in my ballot. In the interest of full disclosure: his TD snag and the 43-yard reception are what's keeping him on my ballot at all. I have faith that ol' #21 can get back on track, though my confidence in that is all dependent on Reggie Ball. On second thought...
(Last Week- 4)
Dropped out- Ray Rice, Rutgers
***
Also considered- Ray Rice (RU), James Laurinaitis (OSU), Robert Meachem (UT), Mario Manningham (UM), Marshawn Lynch (Cal), P.J. Hill (WISC)
Eliminated from future consideration- Chris Leak (UF), Garrett Wolfe (NIU)
Considered for comedic purposes- Jake Kilroy (Kent St), Lloyd Carr's Injury Report (UM)
Absolutely not considered- Mike Hart (UM), Chad Henne (UM)
posted by Paul at 8:14 AM
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