College football is the best. From Tuesday night #MACtion through Robert Kekaula calling a Hail Mary to win a game that started after midnight Eastern, we take it all in.
In the process, we all come up with our own opinions on the most memorable players and coaches in the country. SB Nation's network of writers and analysts from across the country decided on our picks for this year's best. Let us know your thoughts in the comments. And thanks for making SB Nation part of your game day, all year long.
Quarterback & Running Backs
Not only was No. 2 Oregon's quarterback the best player in the country, he was among the most consistent. As Bill Connelly put it, "Mariota produced a passer rating of at least 150 in every game; only 17 FBS starters averaged a 150 rating, and nobody came close to his 186.3 average."
Melvin Gordon was only the second player since 1988 to threaten Barry Sanders' season rushing record. And he still might not have had as impressive a season as Tevin Coleman, whose year was comparable despite playing for a 4-8 team.
Marcus Mariota
Oregon Ducks
254/372 (68.3%), 3,783 YDS, 38 TDs, 2 INTs, 669 rushing YDS, 14 rushing TDs
- Marcus Mariota, Oregon - 91%
- Trevone Boykin, TCU - 4%
- Connor Halliday, Washington State - 2%
- Paxton Lynch, Memphis - 2%
Melvin Gordon
Wisconsin Badgers
2,336 YDS, 26 TDs, 179.69 YDS/G
- Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin - 49%
- Tevin Coleman, Indiana - 30%
- Duke Johnson, Miami - 4%
- Todd Gurley, Georgia - 3%
- Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska - 3%
- Samaje Perine, Oklahoma - 2%
Tevin Coleman
Indiana Hoosiers
2,036 YDS, 15 TDs, 170 YDS/G,
- Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin - 49%
- Tevin Coleman, Indiana - 30%
- Duke Johnson, Miami - 4%
- Todd Gurley, Georgia - 3%
- Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska - 3%
- Samaje Perine, Oklahoma - 2%
Wide Receivers & Tight End
Amari Cooper led the country in receiving yards with a first-year starting QB, in a new offense, and against an SEC schedule. And you might've forgotten about Kevin White, whose first seven games made for a pretty good season by themselves (1,020 yards, seven touchdowns), but there's no way WVU beats No. 5 Baylor and hangs with No. 1 Alabama without him.
Tight end Nick O'Leary doesn't have the biggest numbers, but he's clutch. Of his 47 catches, 29 came when the Seminoles were losing or tied.
Amari Cooper
Alabama Crimson Tide
1,656 YDS, 14 TDs, 127 YDS/G, 14.4 YDS/R
- Amari Cooper, Alabama - 49%
- Kevin White, West Virginia - 19%
- Rashard Higgins, Colorado State - 16%
- Tyler Lockett, Kansas State - 6%
- Jamison Crowder, Duke - 2%
- Jaelen Strong, Arizona State - 2%
Kevin White
West Virginia Mountaineers
1,318 YDS, 9 TDs, 109.8 YDS/G, 12.92 YDS/R
- Amari Cooper, Alabama - 49%
- Kevin White, West Virginia - 19%
- Rashard Higgins, Colorado State - 16%
- Tyler Lockett, Kansas State - 6%
- Jamison Crowder, Duke - 2%
- Jaelen Strong, Arizona State - 2%
Nick O'Leary
Florida State Seminoles
614 YDS, 6 TDs, 13.06 YDS/R
- Nick O'Leary, Florida State - 37%
- Jonnu Smith, Florida International - 21%
- Maxx Williams, Minnesota - 12%
- Evan Engram, Ole Miss - 9%
- Clive Walford, Miami - 9%
- Jimmay Mundine, Kansas - 2%
Offensive Line
There's a reason our offensive linemen will be all over mock drafts for the next few months. The interior includes a player from each College Football Playoff semifinal, with Arie Kouandjio anchoring the country's best overall offensive line, according to Football Outsiders' stats.
Brandon Scherff
Iowa Hawkeyes
- Brandon Scherff, Iowa - 45%
- Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M - 13%
- Andrus Peat, Stanford - 11%
- La'el Collins, LSU - 8%
- Cameron Erving, Florida State - 5%
- Cameron Robinson, Alabama - 5%
- Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss - 5%
- Spencer Drango, Baylor - 3%
Cedric Ogbuehi
Texas A&M Aggies
- Brandon Scherff, Iowa - 45%
- Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M - 13%
- Andrus Peat, Stanford - 11%
- La'el Collins, LSU - 8%
- Cameron Erving, Florida State - 5%
- Cameron Robinson, Alabama - 5%
- Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss - 5%
- Spencer Drango, Baylor - 3%
Arie Kouandjio
Alabama Crimson Tide
- Arie Kouandjio, Alabama - 27%
- Tre' Jackson, Florida State - 24%
- A.J. Cann, South Carolina - 16%
- Shaq Mason, Georgia Tech - 5%
- Laken Tomlinson, Duke - 4%
- Josue Matias, Florida State - 4%
Tre' Jackson
Florida State Seminoles
- Arie Kouandjio, Alabama - 27%
- Tre' Jackson, Florida State - 24%
- A.J. Cann, South Carolina - 16%
- Shaq Mason, Georgia Tech - 5%
- Laken Tomlinson, Duke - 4%
- Josue Matias, Florida State - 4%
Reese Dismukes
Auburn Tigers
- Reese Dismukes, Auburn - 56%
- Hroniss Grasu, Oregon - 15%
- Andy Gallik, Boston College - 7%
- Dan Voltz, Wisconsin - 5%
- David Andrews, Georgia - 5%
Defensive Line
What Ohio State did to Gordon in the Big Ten Championship was in no small part due to two of our defensive linemen. The other two, both from the Pac-12, combined to ruin 36.5 plays behind the line of scrimmage.
Nate Orchard
Utah Utes
81 tackles, 20.0 TFL, 17.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
- Nate Orchard, Utah - 27%
- Joey Bosa, Ohio State - 21%
- Vic Beasley, Clemson - 19%
- Shane Ray, Missouri - 13%
- Shawn Oakman, Baylor - 4%
- Leonard Williams, USC - 4%
Joey Bosa
Ohio State Buckeyes
50 tackles, 20 TFL, 13.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles
- Nate Orchard, Utah - 27%
- Joey Bosa, Ohio State - 21%
- Vic Beasley, Clemson - 19%
- Shane Ray, Missouri - 13%
- Shawn Oakman, Baylor - 4%
- Leonard Williams, USC - 4%
Michael Bennett
Ohio State Buckeyes
35 tackles, 12.5 TFL, 6 sacks, 3 fumbles forced
- Michael Bennett, Ohio State - 24%
- Danny Shelton, Washington - 22%
- Malcom Brown, Texas - 20%
- Eddie Goldman, Florida State - 16%
- Grady Jarrett, Clemson - 6%
Danny Shelton
Washington Huskies
89 tackles, 16.5 TFL, 9 sacks
- Michael Bennett, Ohio State - 24%
- Danny Shelton, Washington - 22%
- Malcom Brown, Texas - 20%
- Eddie Goldman, Florida State - 16%
- Grady Jarrett, Clemson - 6%
Linebackers
Make that three All-America defenders from Washington. Hau'oli Kikaha had more sacks than any other defender since Louisville's Elvis Dumervil put up 20 in 2005. Teammate Shaq Thompson is this year's iron man, posting 512 yards and two touchdowns on offense in addition to his wide range of defensive numbers.
Scooby Wright III was huge when Arizona needed him most, with 12.5 total tackles for loss against No. 14 UCLA, No. 15 Arizona State, and No. 24 USC, plus the Mariota fumble that sealed the Wildcats' October takedown of No. 2 Oregon.
Scooby Wright III
Arizona Wildcats
153 tackles, 27 TFL, 14 sacks, 6 fumbles forced
- Scooby Wright III, Arizona - 29%
- Hau'oli Kikaha, Washington - 15%
- Shaq Thompson, Washington - 8%
- Eric Kendricks, UCLA - 7%
- Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State - 6%
- Paul Dawson, TCU - 5%
- Eric Striker, Oklahoma - 5%
- Zach Vigil, Utah State - 4%
- Mike Hull, Penn State - 3%
Hau'oli Kikaha
Washington Huskies
67 tackles, 24 TFL, 18 sacks, 2 fumbles forced
- Scooby Wright III, Arizona - 29%
- Hau'oli Kikaha, Washington - 15%
- Shaq Thompson, Washington - 8%
- Eric Kendricks, UCLA - 7%
- Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State - 6%
- Paul Dawson, TCU - 5%
- Eric Striker, Oklahoma - 5%
- Zach Vigil, Utah State - 4%
- Mike Hull, Penn State - 3%
Shaq Thompson
Washington Huskies
70 tackles, 4 passes broken up, 2 fumbles forced, 1 INT, 4 defensive TDs
- Scooby Wright III, Arizona - 29%
- Hau'oli Kikaha, Washington - 15%
- Shaq Thompson, Washington - 8%
- Eric Kendricks, UCLA - 7%
- Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State - 6%
- Paul Dawson, TCU - 5%
- Eric Striker, Oklahoma - 5%
- Zach Vigil, Utah State - 4%
- Mike Hull, Penn State - 3%
Defensive Backs
Gerod Holliman tied the 46-year-old FBS record for interceptions in a season; the list of key plays for Senquez Golson and Ifo Ekpre-Olomu includes the interceptions that put away No. 1 Alabama and No. 8 Michigan State, respectively; and Landon Collins led perhaps the country's best defense in tackles and interceptions.
Senquez Golson
Ole Miss Rebels
9 INTs, 8 PBUs, 41 tackles, 1 TD
- Senquez Golson, Mississippi - 29%
- Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon - 16%
- Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech - 13%
- Trae Waynes, Michigan State - 7%
- P.J. Williams, Florida State - 5%
- Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida - 5%
- Quinten Rollins, Miami - 4%
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu
Oregon Ducks
2 INTs, 63 tackles, 9 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble
- Senquez Golson, Mississippi - 29%
- Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon - 16%
- Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech - 13%
- Trae Waynes, Michigan State - 7%
- P.J. Williams, Florida State - 5%
- Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida - 5%
- Quinten Rollins, Miami - 4%
Gerod Holliman
Louisville Cardinals
14 INTs, 37 tackles, 3 pass breakups, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble
- Gerod Holliman, Louisville - 40%
- Landon Collins, Alabama - 27%
- Cody Prewitt, Ole Miss - 9%
- Chris Hackett, TCU - 6%
- Jalen Ramsey, Florida State - 4%
- Kurtis Drummond, Michigan State - 4%
Landon Collins
Alabama Crimson Tide
3 INTs, 90 tackles, 6 pass breakups, 3.5 TFL
- Gerod Holliman, Louisville - 40%
- Landon Collins, Alabama - 27%
- Cody Prewitt, Ole Miss - 9%
- Chris Hackett, TCU - 6%
- Jalen Ramsey, Florida State - 4%
- Kurtis Drummond, Michigan State - 4%
Specialists
Roberto Aguayo attempted more field goals than all but four other kickers, and he still ranked No. 3 in percentage made. Tom Hackett's numbers are excellent, both individually (No. 2 in yards per punt) and as part of a unit (Utah's punt coverage ranks No. 6 at Football Outsiders.)
We should note J.J. Nelson is not just here because he represents UAB, whose program is being shut down. Nelson led the country in return touchdowns, including one on November 29 in the Blazers' last-ever game.
Roberto Aguayo
Florida State Seminoles
25-27 (93%), 53-53 PATs, 51.65% touchbacks
- Roberto Aguayo, Florida State - 67%
- Brad Craddock, Maryland - 21%
- Josh Lambert, West Virginia - 7%
Tom Hackett
Utah Utes
47 yards per punt
- Tom Hackett, Utah - 32%
- Austin Rehkow, Idaho - 20%
- JK Scott, Alabama - 12%
- Cameron Johnston, Ohio State - 5%
- Peter Mortell, Minnesota - 5%
- Scott Harding, Hawaii - 5%
- Trevor Pardula, Kansas - 5%
- Alex Kinal, Wake Forest - 5%
- Drew Kaser, Texas A&M - 5%
J.J. Nelson
UAB Blazers
38.32 yards per kick return, 151.7 all-purpose yards per game, 4 kickoff return TDs
- J.J. Nelson, UAB - 57%
- Tyler Lockett, Kansas State - 14%
- Kaelin Clay, Utah - 7%
- Alex Ross, Oklahoma - 7%
- Janarion Grant, Rutgers - 5%
Individual Awards
The home stretch. And as this is SB Nation, we've got your GIF of the year.
Offensive Player of the Year
Marcus Mariota, Oregon
While Amari Cooper, Melvin Gordon, Tevin Coleman, Trevone Boykin, J.T. Barrett, Dak Prescott, and any number of offensive linemen could rank No. 2 behind Mariota, there's no real question here. Now let's see what he does in the Rose Bowl against last year's winner.
Defensive Player of the Year
Scooby Wright III, Arizona
The scary part for the Pac-12 South: Wright, along with several other key Wildcats, is an underclassman. The former two-star recruit leads a team that will enter 2015 with tons of hype. With a Fiesta Bowl win, Arizona could even rank in the preseason top 10.
Coach of the Year
Gary Patterson, TCU
The Horned Frogs ranked No. 7 in the Big 12's preseason poll. They finished No. 6 in the country. Patterson's overhauled offense and fortified defense proved 2013 was the exception to the TCU rule. The Frogs finished a field goal shy of the Playoff and should return a ton of talent on offense next year. But first, the Peach Bowl against Ole Miss.
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GIF of the Year
The worst fake punt ever
In this Arkansas State trick play, a player plays dead. It is not a good trick.
Voters: Aaron Moore, AJ Black, Alex Kirshner, Andy Mitts, Avinash Kunnath, Billy Gomila, Bob Lynch, Brett Ludwiczak, Chris H., Christopher Hondros, Chuck McKeever, Dan Rubin, David (RCT), David Piper, Drew Goodman, Eric Bens, Ian Boyd, IE Angel, Jack Follman, Jake Kocorowski, Jamie Plunkett, Jason Kirk, Jeremy Attaway, Jerry Steinberg, Jim Vainisi, Joey Weaver, Jon Johnston, Jon Morse, Julian King, Justin Cates, Justin Kaspar, Kevin Recio, Kyle Swick, Lucas Jackson, Luke Zimmermann, Marshall Weber, Matt Monte, Mike Rutherford, Nicolas Lewis, Pete Volk, Ross Binder, Sam Brief, Sean Larson, TheKraken, Tom Coyer, Vineyarddawg, Walt Austin
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