College Football Week 13 Awards

Alabama's Trent Richardson reaches for the goal line during Saturday's rout of rival Auburn. (USA Today Photo)

 The top teams in the nation held serve as we head into Championship Weekend in college football.  In addition to the BCS madness, the Heisman race is in doubt, as well, as Alabama’s Trent Richardson and Andrew Luck of Stanford have seemingly separated themselves from the pack as we head into the final week of the season.

Offensive Player of the Week – Trent Richardson – RB – Alabama.  The junior running back looked to take the lead in the Heisman race as he ran for a career-high 203 yards in the 42-14 shellacking of last year’s national champion, Auburn.  Richardson has come up big in each of ‘Bama’s spotlight games during the 2011 season.  Will it be enough to win the coveted award for the Tide for the second time in 3 years?

Defensive Player of the Week – Tyrann Mathieu – DB – LSU.  The “Honey Badger” continued his outstanding play Saturday against 3rd ranked Arkansas.  Mathieu was all over the field, recording 8 solo tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery and had an electrifying 92 yard punt return for a touchdown that helped the Tigers come back from an early 2-TD deficit.  If it wasn’t for his drug-induced suspension, he would be making a trip to NYC for the Heisman ceremonies.

Game of the Week – Michigan 40 – Ohio State 34.  The Wolverines finally broke a 7 year losing streak to the Buckeyes in this wild, exciting back-and-forth contest.  Michigan moves into contention for a BCS slot, while the Bucks prepare for the Urban Meyer era and hope they escape further NCAA sanctions.

My Top 25

1. LSU (12-0)
2. Alabama (11-1)
3. Oklahoma St. (10-1)
4. Stanford (11-1)
5. Virginia Tech (11-1)
6. Houston (12-0)
7. USC (10-2)
8. Oregon (10-2)
9. Boise St. (10-1)
10. Oklahoma (9-2)
11. Arkansas (10-2)
12. Michigan St. (10-2)
13. Wisconsin (10-2)
14. South Carolina (10-2)
15. Georgia (10-2)
16. Kansas St. (9-2)
17. Michigan (10-2)
18. Baylor (8-3)
19. Nebraska (9-3)
20. TCU (9-2)
21. West Virginia (8-3)
22. Clemson (9-3)
23. Penn St. (9-3)
24. Southern Miss (10-2)
25. Florida St. (8-4)