Well, I got bored and wanted to see how the midseason team looks compared to my preseason picks I quietly follow college stats about as obsessively as Col Reb so I thought I'd try and contribute.
OFFENSE</font>
QB: Tim Tebow, SO. Florida
When he's not roundhouse kicking Chuck Norris and deflowering virgins by the dozens, Tebow is busy leading his team in rushing and holding a QB rating of 173.1 (4th in the nation). If the refs would allow it, he'd simply throw the ball to himself on passing plays.
RB: Jake Sharp, SO. Kansas
A big part of Kansas' 6-0 record, Sharp has nearly 500 yards on the ground for 5 TD's and is averaging 6.42 YPC.
RB: Jacob Hester, SR. LSU
LSU's do-everything back is actually getting love from the mainstream media if you can believe it.
FB: Peyton Hillis, SR. Arkansas
Probably should be a power back somewhere but he leads the way for the #3 ranked rushing offense in the country and leads his team in every receiving category with 22 REC, 237 YDS, and 2 TD.
WR: Jordy Nelson, SR. Kansas State
4th in the nation in YDS/game and 3rd in REC/game, this guy has it all: size (6'2"), speed (10.63 100m), and hands. He's also got 2 passing TD's and 4 punt returns for 172 yards and a TD. Do yourself a favor and watch him play.
WR: Todd Blythe, SR. Iowa St.
Like Jordy Nelson, Blythe has a pretty sketchy QB throwing him the ball but he still puts up pretty good numbers (35 REC/456 YDS/3 TD). He's a gritty, blue collar, over-achiever who gets the most out of his athletic ability and simply makes plays....just kidding. He is reasonably fast though (~4.55) and his 6'5" frame makes him a monster on jump balls.
WR: Kevin Jurovich, JR. San Jose St.
In his first year as a WR (he was a DB), I give him the nod over Danny Amendola because he's putting up comparable numbers (44 REC/638 YDS/5 TD) on a far less prolific passing offense.
TE: Cody Slate, SO. Marshall
Who? He's not exactly a household name but in a down year for white TE's, he makes the list on account of his 37 REC, 479 YDS, and 4 TD. He leads his team in all three categories and has more REC and YDS/game than any other white TE in the country and he ranks 3rd/2nd in those categories respectively among all TE's in the country.
OT: Jake Long, SR. Michigan
Long could've gone in the 1st round of last year's draft but seeing the potential U of M had to go to the National Championship, he decided to stay (doh!). Either way, being a top 5 draft pick next year should be a nice consolation prize. He's a monster and probably ought to win the Heisman.
OG: Jordan Grimes, SR. Purdue
C: Alex Mack, JR. California
OG: Jonathan Luigs, JR. Arkansas
OT: Sam Baker, SR. USC
DEFENSE</font>
DE: Chris Long, SR. Virginia
Hall of Famer Howie Long's son plays as an end in a 3-4 defense and still is among the nation's leaders in sacks with 8. He also has 5 PD, a FF, an INT, and a blocked kick for good measure.
DT: Nick Hayden, SR. Wisconsin
3 sacks, 28 tackles, 5.5 TFL, and a blocked kick. Was the 9th ranked DT in the nation by Rivals.com coming out of high school.
DT: Mitch King, JR. Iowa
A little undersized to be a DT at the next level, he gets good penetration and is very disruptive with 40 tackles (10 for loss), 4 sacks, 1 FF, and 4 PD. He should contend for All Big-10 honors.
DE: Chase Ortiz, SR. TCU
Chase was first-team All Mountain West Conference the last two years and figures to make it three in a row with 10.5 TFL and 5 sacks so far.
OLB: Jordan Dizon, SR. Colorado
He has been the nation's leading tackler since week 1.
MLB: J Leman, SR. Illinois
The unquestioned leader of the resurgent Illini.
OLB: James Laurinaitis, JR. Ohio State
He plays MLB for the Bucks but has the smarts and athleticism to play any LB spot.
CB: Carson Bird, SR. Air Force
Overcoming injuries and clashes with the previous coaching staff, Bird is quietly having a very productive year with 5 INT (tied for 3rd in the nation), 2 PD, and 2 fumble recoveries.
FS: Jamie Silva, SR. Boston College
Also has 5 INT this season (returned one for a TD). He's also Boston College's leading tackler with 55.
SS: Craig Steltz, SR. LSU
Playing behind LaRon Landry the last few years, this hard-hitting ballhawk has finally had a chance to shine. He's got 4 INT, 2 FF, a sack, and a team-leading 49 tackles.
CB: Adam Shada, SR. Iowa
No INT's yet but he does have 5 PD, a sack and is second on the team with 47 tackles. Plus, Iowa's pass defense is ranked 24th nationally.
SPECIAL TEAMS</font>
Kicker: Swayze Waters, JR. UAB
He's 16 of 19 on his FG attempts and has made 3 of 3 from beyond 50 yards.
Punter: Durant Brooks, SR. Georgia Tech
Sports Illustrated and Rivals.com agree that he's having a hell of a year for a punter. And since it's impossible for the media to discriminate against white punters, I'm going to take their word for it.
Kick Returner: Max Suter, FR. Syracuse
You may remember him from his 93 yard return in the Orangemen's upset of Louisville. Playing for such a crappy team, this guy gets to return A LOT of kickoffs. He's averaging 28 yards/RET (21st nationally).
Punt Returner: Brian Hartline, JR. Ohio State
OFFENSE</font>
QB: Tim Tebow, SO. Florida
When he's not roundhouse kicking Chuck Norris and deflowering virgins by the dozens, Tebow is busy leading his team in rushing and holding a QB rating of 173.1 (4th in the nation). If the refs would allow it, he'd simply throw the ball to himself on passing plays.
RB: Jake Sharp, SO. Kansas
A big part of Kansas' 6-0 record, Sharp has nearly 500 yards on the ground for 5 TD's and is averaging 6.42 YPC.
RB: Jacob Hester, SR. LSU
LSU's do-everything back is actually getting love from the mainstream media if you can believe it.
FB: Peyton Hillis, SR. Arkansas
Probably should be a power back somewhere but he leads the way for the #3 ranked rushing offense in the country and leads his team in every receiving category with 22 REC, 237 YDS, and 2 TD.
WR: Jordy Nelson, SR. Kansas State
4th in the nation in YDS/game and 3rd in REC/game, this guy has it all: size (6'2"), speed (10.63 100m), and hands. He's also got 2 passing TD's and 4 punt returns for 172 yards and a TD. Do yourself a favor and watch him play.
WR: Todd Blythe, SR. Iowa St.
Like Jordy Nelson, Blythe has a pretty sketchy QB throwing him the ball but he still puts up pretty good numbers (35 REC/456 YDS/3 TD). He's a gritty, blue collar, over-achiever who gets the most out of his athletic ability and simply makes plays....just kidding. He is reasonably fast though (~4.55) and his 6'5" frame makes him a monster on jump balls.
WR: Kevin Jurovich, JR. San Jose St.
In his first year as a WR (he was a DB), I give him the nod over Danny Amendola because he's putting up comparable numbers (44 REC/638 YDS/5 TD) on a far less prolific passing offense.
TE: Cody Slate, SO. Marshall
Who? He's not exactly a household name but in a down year for white TE's, he makes the list on account of his 37 REC, 479 YDS, and 4 TD. He leads his team in all three categories and has more REC and YDS/game than any other white TE in the country and he ranks 3rd/2nd in those categories respectively among all TE's in the country.
OT: Jake Long, SR. Michigan
Long could've gone in the 1st round of last year's draft but seeing the potential U of M had to go to the National Championship, he decided to stay (doh!). Either way, being a top 5 draft pick next year should be a nice consolation prize. He's a monster and probably ought to win the Heisman.
OG: Jordan Grimes, SR. Purdue
C: Alex Mack, JR. California
OG: Jonathan Luigs, JR. Arkansas
OT: Sam Baker, SR. USC
DEFENSE</font>
DE: Chris Long, SR. Virginia
Hall of Famer Howie Long's son plays as an end in a 3-4 defense and still is among the nation's leaders in sacks with 8. He also has 5 PD, a FF, an INT, and a blocked kick for good measure.
DT: Nick Hayden, SR. Wisconsin
3 sacks, 28 tackles, 5.5 TFL, and a blocked kick. Was the 9th ranked DT in the nation by Rivals.com coming out of high school.
DT: Mitch King, JR. Iowa
A little undersized to be a DT at the next level, he gets good penetration and is very disruptive with 40 tackles (10 for loss), 4 sacks, 1 FF, and 4 PD. He should contend for All Big-10 honors.
DE: Chase Ortiz, SR. TCU
Chase was first-team All Mountain West Conference the last two years and figures to make it three in a row with 10.5 TFL and 5 sacks so far.
OLB: Jordan Dizon, SR. Colorado
He has been the nation's leading tackler since week 1.
MLB: J Leman, SR. Illinois
The unquestioned leader of the resurgent Illini.
OLB: James Laurinaitis, JR. Ohio State
He plays MLB for the Bucks but has the smarts and athleticism to play any LB spot.
CB: Carson Bird, SR. Air Force
Overcoming injuries and clashes with the previous coaching staff, Bird is quietly having a very productive year with 5 INT (tied for 3rd in the nation), 2 PD, and 2 fumble recoveries.
FS: Jamie Silva, SR. Boston College
Also has 5 INT this season (returned one for a TD). He's also Boston College's leading tackler with 55.
SS: Craig Steltz, SR. LSU
Playing behind LaRon Landry the last few years, this hard-hitting ballhawk has finally had a chance to shine. He's got 4 INT, 2 FF, a sack, and a team-leading 49 tackles.
CB: Adam Shada, SR. Iowa
No INT's yet but he does have 5 PD, a sack and is second on the team with 47 tackles. Plus, Iowa's pass defense is ranked 24th nationally.
SPECIAL TEAMS</font>
Kicker: Swayze Waters, JR. UAB
He's 16 of 19 on his FG attempts and has made 3 of 3 from beyond 50 yards.
Punter: Durant Brooks, SR. Georgia Tech
Sports Illustrated and Rivals.com agree that he's having a hell of a year for a punter. And since it's impossible for the media to discriminate against white punters, I'm going to take their word for it.
Kick Returner: Max Suter, FR. Syracuse
You may remember him from his 93 yard return in the Orangemen's upset of Louisville. Playing for such a crappy team, this guy gets to return A LOT of kickoffs. He's averaging 28 yards/RET (21st nationally).
Punt Returner: Brian Hartline, JR. Ohio State
