Nick Daschel is a veteran sports writer and columnist who has worked on the West coast for nearly three decades. Nick has covered the Pac-10 for about 15 years, primarily focusing on the Northwest schools.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 12:00 AM
Posted By: Nick Daschel In: Pac-10
It’s that time of the college football season, when the Pac-10 championship and league honors are on the line. Here are nine names to consider for Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year:
Favorite
Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State: Even though it’s unlikely he plays for the eventual Pac-10 champion, Rodgers has been better as a sophomore than he was in winning this same award as a freshman. He’s the most productive running back in the Pac-10, because most of Rodgers’ 58 receptions are nothing more than airborne handoffs. Rodgers is at 1,390 yards rushing and receiving combined, and he’s yet to face the yardage padding defenses of Washington and Washington State. Two grand combined isn’t out of his reach. Odds of winning: 3-2
Contenders
Toby Gerhart, Stanford: Probably a co-favorite, given how he’s propped up Stanford’s offense and helped put the Cardinal into the postseason for the first time since 2001. Gerhart’s ruthless 233-yard rushing performance against Oregon alone might sway some coaches to vote his name. Odds: 5-2
Jeremiah Masoli, Oregon: It looks like Masoli will be the Pac-10’s first team quarterback. Anyone in that position has a shot to win Player of the Year. Some of the early season inconsistencies and missing one week because of injury could hurt Masoli, but he’s also had some of the season’s best single-game performances. Odds: 4-1
Sean Canfield, Oregon State: Or maybe the first team quarterback will be Canfield. Statistically, Canfield has been nails, completing 36 more passes than anyone else in the Pac-10 to a receiving corps of preseason no-names. When defenses tried to take Rodgers away and dared Canfield to win the game, he did. Odds: 7-1
LaMichael James, Oregon: A freshman with a bright future. James’ numbers are comparable to Rodgers’ freshman campaign, but the POY competition is much tougher in 2009. Brilliant games against Arizona and Oregon State would help elevate his stock. Odds: 10-1
Nick Foles, Arizona: What if Arizona runs the table and wins the Pac-10? You’d have to heap an awful lot of credit on Foles, the quarterback who helped turn around the Wildcats season. Even if Arizona pulls it off, a few of the frontrunners will have to fall apart for Foles to win. Odds: 15-1
Long shots
Matt Barkley, USC: Hard to make a case for any individual on USC’s offensive unit, but if the Trojans end up winning the Pac-10, Barkley would get a look from the coaches. He’ll have to dramatically turn things around to get anything more than a look, though. Odds: 30-1
Jake Locker, Washington: Hard to fathom, but what if Locker throws for 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns in the final three games and the Huskies beat OSU, Washington State and California? Locker has played well enough through nine games that a fast finish could cause pause among some voters. Odds: 50-1
Andrew Luck, Stanford: Have to throw Luck in, just in case the Cardinal win out and go to the Rose Bowl. Luck has had a remarkable season for a freshman quarterback. Odds: 100-1
Jahvid Best, California: If Best is given a chance to make a run at the award, someone’s head should roll at California. Best needs time to recover from a horrific looking injury against Oregon State. Odds: 200-1
Also, I don’t quite follow you on why you say Masoli has had some of the best single game performances and make the assumption he’ll be 1st team. He hasn’t thrown for over 300 yds except in the Stanford loss, and has only thrown for over 200 two other times. Rushing has been good, but he really only had the one amazing game against USC. And he had some real stinkers early on. No question he is absolutely key to that team, but I don’t think he is 1st team unless he really shines these last few games. Luck and Canfield seem to have been much more consistent and certainly have better stats. Last few games should decide both the POY and 1st team QB.
Also, I don’t quite follow you on why you say Masoli has had some of the best single game performances and make the assumption he’ll be 1st team. He hasn’t thrown for over 300 yds except in the Stanford loss, and has only thrown for over 200 two other times. Rushing has been good, but he really only had the one amazing game against USC. And he had some real stinkers early on. No question he is absolutely key to that team, but I don’t think he is 1st team unless he really shines these last few games. Luck and Canfield seem to have been much more consistent and certainly have better stats. Last few games should decide both the POY and 1st team QB.
Comments
Also, I don’t quite follow you on why you say Masoli has had some of the best single game performances and make the assumption he’ll be 1st team. He hasn’t thrown for over 300 yds except in the Stanford loss, and has only thrown for over 200 two other times. Rushing has been good, but he really only had the one amazing game against USC. And he had some real stinkers early on. No question he is absolutely key to that team, but I don’t think he is 1st team unless he really shines these last few games. Luck and Canfield seem to have been much more consistent and certainly have better stats. Last few games should decide both the POY and 1st team QB.
Also, I don’t quite follow you on why you say Masoli has had some of the best single game performances and make the assumption he’ll be 1st team. He hasn’t thrown for over 300 yds except in the Stanford loss, and has only thrown for over 200 two other times. Rushing has been good, but he really only had the one amazing game against USC. And he had some real stinkers early on. No question he is absolutely key to that team, but I don’t think he is 1st team unless he really shines these last few games. Luck and Canfield seem to have been much more consistent and certainly have better stats. Last few games should decide both the POY and 1st team QB.