The Lou Groza Award is presented annually to the best place kicker in the nation. This year, Dan Bailey of the Oklahoma State Cowboys earned this prestigious designation.

Since becoming the Cowboys starting kicker in 2008, Bailey has grown into one of the most consistent kickers in the nation. After having a slight decline in percentage of field goals made from ’08 to ’09, Bailey made a huge step up in accuracy in 2010 with an impressive 85.7 field goal percentage. He connected on 24 of his 28 field goals, and made 65 of his 66 PAT attempts. He helped the Cowboys bring in a couple of their 10 wins with clutch field goals as time wound down. His consistency and accuracy, along with a strong leg that has 50-yard plus capabilities with help his chances of making it in the NFL.

Bailey’s best game of the year Keep Reading…

The Outland Trophy is presented annually to the best offensive lineman in the nation. This year, offensive tackle Gabe Carimi of the Wisconsin Badgers earned this prestigious designation.

During the 2010 season, Carimi has emerged as one of the best and most well-rounded offensive linemen in the NCAA. He was a part of the offense that was ranked fourth in points-per-game and twelfth in rush-yards-per-game. Carimi was the crucial left tackle on an offensive line that only gave up 12 sacks throughout the entire 2010 regular season. Going up against some of the best defensive ends in the nation, including Adrian Clayborn, Cameron Heyward and Ryan Kerrigan, Carimi held all three of them to just two total sacks. He asserted himself as one of the most consistent offensive tackles in the nation and helped the Badgers’ offense earn its way into a Rose Bowl game against the TCU Horned Keep Reading…

The Campbell Trophy, one of the most sought-after awards in college football, is presented annually to the best senior scholar-athlete in the nation. This year, defensive end Sam Acho of the Texas Longhorns earned this prestigious designation.

For the last two years, Acho has been named to the Big-12 all-academic team while starting at defensive end for the Longhorns. He made a big impact for Texas this year, compiling 60 tackles, two forced fumbles and a team-high eight sacks. However, the main reason he won this award was for the impact he made off the field. From balancing classes, homework and practice, to helping out in the community and volunteering his time to better the lives of those less fortunate than him, Acho was an excellent role model for the Longhorns’ football team and the entire University of Texas. He has been a prime example of the ideal college Keep Reading…

The Vince Lombardi/Rotary Award is presented annually to the best lineman in the nation. This year, defensive tackle Nick Fairley of the Auburn Tigers earned this prestigious designation.

Drawing comparisons to the disruptive way that Ndamukong Suh played last year for the Nebraska Corn Huskers, Fairley has been simply dominant in 2010 for the Tigers. Fairley played like a man possessed, bowling his way through offensive lines almost every play and practically owning real estate in opposing offenses’ backfield. He did a sensational job as the anchor for a Tigers defensive unit that only allowed three 100-yard rushers all season. He was part of the defense that held the 2009 Heisman trophy winner, running back Mark Ingram, to only 36 rushing yards. Despite missing the Chattanooga game, Fairley tallied 55 tackles including 21 for a loss, 10.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception.

Fairley’s most impressive game Keep Reading…

The Home Depot Award is presented annually to the head coach of the year. This year, Auburn head coach Gene Chizik earned this prestigious designation.

After taking over for Tommy Tuberville in 2009, Chizik has led the Tigers to a 21-5 record. During his first year as the coach of the Tigers, he led them to an 8-5 record, including a 38-35 Outback Bowl win over Northwestern. After bringing in an outstanding recruiting class that included the number one running back in the nation, Michael Dyer, Chizik’s Tigers exploded onto the national scene in 2010. Finishing the season ranked sixth in points-per-game and seventh in the nation in offensive yards-per-game, Chizik’s offense was unstoppable with players like junior quarterback Cam Newton and Dyer in the mix. The defense was also impressive, playing well in arguably the toughest conference in the NCAA. And to put the icing on the cake, Keep Reading…