Russell Report: The Russell Awards
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - We have reached the point in the season where most college football teams have had or on a bye week; give or take, the halfway point of the season. So I thought, how about awards to the top teams in each power five conference and a big shot or two in the group of five. Are you ready for the Russells? Ok, not real original but you get the idea.
Let’s start with the PAC 12. Maybe the best conference top to bottom in the country. The Russell goes to Washington, a team that I think has a chance to make the College Football Playoff. Honorable mention to Oregon. The bubble burst award to Colorado.
In the Big 10, the Russell goes to Michigan. Think of their season. Coach Jim Harbaugh was suspended early on and now staffers have been accused of stealing signs, yet all they do is win. Honorable mention to Ohio State and that game should be something later in the year. “Our Offense Stinks” award goes to Iowa, why can’t they score?
In the Big 12, Oklahoma gets the Russell over Texas but some other teams are deserving of mention here like Kansas State and Oklahoma State, this is a league that if you like scoring, you are in the right place.
The Russell in the ACC has to go to Florida State. Got a scare from Duke but the semis are in the driver’s seat. Miami is in the back seat and a lot of people are not unhappy about that.
In the SEC, two Russell awards...They go to Alabama and Missouri. Ok, I left out Georgia, so sue me, the Gators play them this week and trying to get some karma going here. But how about the Missouri Tigers? That offense is lethal, and they are legit. I know, you’re thinking, Alabama for a Russell? But look, Nick Saban has perhaps done his best coaching job in years and the tide train keeps rolling as they control their own destiny in the west to get back to the SEC title game.
The Russell Award for group of five schools goes to a pair of schools goes to the Green Wave of Tulane and Air Force. Tulane is ranked again after a nice season last year and all Air Force has done in the Mountain West is become nationally ranked while going unbeaten racking up 239 points while giving up just 94. A salute to the Falcons.
Please no applause. We thank you for watching the first and maybe last Russell Awards presentation. Now, let’s get ready for Florida-Georgia. I’m Steve Russell, that’s the Russell Report!
Russell Report: Gators pick up their first road win of the season against the Gamecocks
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