LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) -- Brady Quinn took this round from Troy Smith.

 

The Notre Dame quarterback won the Maxwell Award as the player of the year Thursday night, beating out Ohio State's Smith, the Heisman Trophy favorite.

 

Quinn, Smith and Arkansas running back Darren McFadden are the finalists for the Heisman, which will be handed out Saturday night in New York.

 

"Winning this award makes me look forward to Saturday night that much more," Quinn said. "When you go back and look at it, the so-called rivalry between me and Troy pretty much began with last year's Fiesta Bowl. Things just kind of went on from there. He and Darren (McFadden) have both had great seasons, and we've done pretty well for ourselves. We'll just see what happens in New York."

 

Smith won the Davey O'Brien Award as the nation's best quarterback at the College Football Awards show and earlier in the day was honored as player of the year by the Walter Camp Foundation.

 

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"I am extremely overwhelmed and at a loss for words right now," said Smith, who led the top-ranked Buckeyes to a berth in the BCS national championship game against Florida on Jan. 8. "I can remember last year Vince Young clutching the Davey O'Brien Award and it meant so much to him. When you add the Walter Camp Award to that, it's amazing.

 

"Vince's team went on to win the national championship after he won the Davey O'Brien, and that's exactly what I'm looking to do. There's nothing wrong with leaving legacies like that."

 

The Big Ten offensive player of the year, Smith led Ohio State to a 12-0 record with 2,740 total yards. He threw a school-record 30 touchdown passes and led the Big Ten in passing efficiency.

 

Quinn passed for 3,278 and 35 touchdowns this season, leading the Fighting Irish (10-2) to a Sugar Bowl bid. Notre Dame will face LSU on Jan. 3 in New Orleans.

 

He is the fifth Notre Dame player to win the Maxwell and first since defensive lineman Ross Browner in 1977.

 

Rutgers tailback Ray Rice was the other finalists for the Maxwell Award.

 

McFadden, a sophomore who led Arkansas to the Southeastern Conference title game, won the Doak Walker Award as the nation's best running back. He is the first SEC player to win the award since Georgia's Garrison Hearst in 1992.

 

"This is a tremendous honor because I know there are a lot of great running backs out there," said McFadden, the first Arkansas player to win the Doak Walker Award. "It means a whole to me because in the SEC, it's hard to rack up yards. It just shows how big of an accomplishment it is."

 

Rutgers coach Greg Schiano was chosen as The Home Depot Coach of the Year for turning around the Scarlet Knights (10-2).

 

"We've wanted to change the culture at Rutgers, not just on the football field, but with the university as well," Schiano said. "I think we've been able to do that."

 

Penn State's Paul Posluszny was the only repeat winner from 2005. For the second straight year, the Nittany Lions linebacker won the Chuck Bednarik Award as the nation's best defensive player.

 

"I think it shows a lot about the defense that we play at Penn State," Posluszny said. "My teammate, Dan Connor, was also very deserving of the award. To win it twice and to be put in the same category as Pat Fitzgerald (the awards only other two-time winner), it's amazing."

 

Other award winners were: Joe Thomas, Wisconsin, Outland Trophy (best interior linemen); Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech, Biletnikoff (best wide receiver); Aaron Ross, Texas, Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back); Patrick Willis, Mississippi, Butkus Award (best linebacker); Arthur Carmody, Louisville, Lou Groza Award (best kicker); and Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor, Ray Guy Award (best punter).

these awards were announced last week....too bad Smith got the last laff when he won the Heisman....Smith will get a good look in the first round also

That and nobody cares about the Maxwell award.

I dont like Smith in the first round, too short.

 

I dont like Quinn really either for top 5 in the draft even honestly.

 

Brohm (if he comes out), Russell are the two QBs I like next years draft, Stanton could be interesting too.

Kevin Kolb and Jeff Rowe(Houston and Nevada, respectfully) could also be suprise QBs taken high.

 

There was talk of the Panthers trading up to take Quinn, but honstely I myself want Kolb.

Kevin Kolb and Jeff Rowe(Houston and Nevada, respectfully) could also be suprise QBs taken high.

 

There was talk of the Panthers trading up to take Quinn, but honstely I myself want Kolb.

I thought Jake Delhomme was the 2nd coming?

 

I guess not.

Am I really getting sas from the guy who said Garrett Wolfe is better than Adrian Peterson?

 

The rookie wouldnt be drafted to start this year, but tp hold a clipboard, much like Palmer did under Kitna and Manning under Warner for a season or two.

 

I never said Delhomme was the 2nd coming, but the Panthers QB situation isnt overly great...Delhomme, Weinke, and an undrafted free agent from this past draft. And Jake is getting older.

 

All I ever said was that Delhomme is better than Vick, which as a passer he is.

Am I really getting sas from the guy who said Garrett Wolfe is better than Adrian Peterson?

 

The rookie wouldnt be drafted to start this year, but tp hold a clipboard, much like Palmer did under Kitna and Manning under Warner for a season or two.

 

I never said Delhomme was the 2nd coming, but the Panthers QB situation isnt overly great...Delhomme, Weinke, and an undrafted free agent from this past draft. And Jake is getting older.

 

All I ever said was that Delhomme is better than Vick, which as a passer he is.

Garrett Wolfe was a much better running back then AP this year. I was 100% right on that.

Adrian Peterson got hurt right? Wolfe played in the damn MAC conference, and still had some bad games.

 

GW is not in Adrian Petersons league. And if I recall, you didnt just say this year, you argued that he was just a better runninb back.

 

To which you are inconcievably wrong.

Adrian Peterson got hurt right? Wolfe played in the damn MAC conference, and still had some bad games.

 

GW is not in Adrian Petersons league. And if I recall, you didnt just say this year, you argued that he was just a better runninb back.

 

To which you are inconcievably wrong.

The Mid-American Conference conference? Sweet.

 

Call me when AP runs for 353 yards. Call me when AP stays healthy for an entire season. I would have much rather had GW this year, and when all is said and done Wolfe was the better COLLEGE running back. Which I said he was.

Think whatever you want. Thats called free will.

 

Still doesnt mean your right, because your not.

 

GW had crappy games against crappy teams in the crappy MAC.

 

AP was what...2nd or 3rd in the heisman vote as a true freshman, whereas even with GWs year this year didnt make the final ballot.

 

AP will be a premier back for some team. GW will be a punt/kick off returner and will be a 3rd string back.

 

And once again, you never argued that Wolfe will of had a better career than Peterson, you argued that he was a better back period.

Adrian Peterson got hurt right? Wolfe played in the damn MAC conference, and still had some bad games.

 

GW is not in Adrian Petersons league. And if I recall, you didnt just say this year, you argued that he was just a better runninb back.

 

To which you are inconcievably wrong.

The Mid-American Conference conference? Sweet.

 

Call me when AP runs for 353 yards. Call me when AP stays healthy for an entire season. I would have much rather had GW this year, and when all is said and done Wolfe was the better COLLEGE running back. Which I said he was.

 

You are out of your mind. No coach in their right mind, EVEN ON THE COLLEGE LEVEL, would trade AP for Wolfe. Sure AP got hurt halfway through the year. But when he did play, he was Oklahoma's only real source of offense, and still kicked ass every game. His worst game this year was 25 carries for 109 yards vs Texas. He ran for 109+ in all 6 games. Peterson was on pace for nearly 2,200 yards and 23 TDs this year. I can only imagine what he would have done against Wolfe's crap schedule too. AP >>>>>>>>>> Wolfe, and don't you forget it.

Wolfe:

787 attempts

5136 yards

6.5 YPC

52 TDs

 

 

AP:

727 attempts

3968 yards

5.5 YPC

39 TDs

 

I'll take Mr. Wolfe.

 

Oklahoma went 7-0 without AP this year. Yeah, he was their only source of offense.

Some of Wolfe's opponents: Ohio, Buffalo, Indiana State, Ball State, Miami (Ohio), Western Michigan, Temple, Toldeo, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan.

 

Yeah, that seems like some stellar competition he had this year. After running over those defenses, I definitely am more impressed with him than AP! And don't give me that tOSU garbage, he racked up most of his yards after the game was well in hand.

 

BTW, any RB that is held to 25 yards on 18 carries vs Western Michigan and 45 yards on 17 carries vs Temple is NOT better than Adrian Peterson. Period.

Some of Wolfe's opponents: Ohio, Buffalo, Indiana State, Ball State, Miami (Ohio), Western Michigan, Temple, Toldeo, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan.

 

Yeah, that seems like some stellar competition he had this year. After running over those defenses, I definitely am more impressed with him than AP! And don't give me that tOSU garbage, he racked up most of his yards after the game was well in hand.

Yeah 280 yards, not impressive.

 

That he did, but OSU had there starters in basically throughtout the game.

 

This TD is with 10 minutes left in the 4th quater. Check out who he runs through to get in the endzone.

 

#32 Bradon Mitchell

#1 Marcus Freeman

#2 Malcom Jenkins

 

Now I am not sure about Mitchell, but I know Freeman and Jenkins are starters.

 

How about the 150 he had on Michigan on 18 carries?

The 250 on Northwestern?

He had his best games against Big 10 opponents.

Now we are going to previous years?

 

I mean, you can list Petersons 225 vs Texas, 249 and 237 vs OK St, 211 vs Oregon, or 240 vs Baylor if you want to talk 'big conference opponents.'

 

But Baylor is crap, just like NW, so I would think you wouldn't want to count that. NW is complete and utter garbage. They might be in the Big 10 by association, but they are MAC quality.

 

Additionally, Michigan wasn't what they are now when Wolfe played them. They were 7-5 last year, and not really that spectacular. They let up 100+ to a RB in 7 of their 12 games last year (Darius Walker, Brian Calhoun, Laurence Maroney, Tony Hunt, Garret Wolfe, Albert Young, Cory Ross). Additionally, in two games, NW and Mich St, both teams had starting RBs run for over 5ypc, and 9ypc respectively, so obviously a lack of attempts ruined their shot. Pretty obvious the Michigan run defense wasn't anything to write home about last year.

 

Again, any RB that runs for 25yds on 18 carries vs Western Michigan and 45yards on 17 carries vs Temple is NOT better than AP.

Now we are going to previous years?

 

I mean, you can list Petersons 225 vs Texas, 249 and 237 vs OK St, 211 vs Oregon, or 240 vs Baylor if you want to talk 'big conference opponents.'

 

But Baylor is crap, just like NW, so I would think you wouldn't want to count that. NW is complete and utter garbage. They might be in the Big 10 by association, but they are MAC quality.

 

Additionally, Michigan wasn't what they are now when Wolfe played them. They were 7-5 last year, and not really that spectacular. They let up 100+ to a RB in 7 of their 12 games last year (Darius Walker, Brian Calhoun, Laurence Maroney, Tony Hunt, Garret Wolfe, Albert Young, Cory Ross). Additionally, in two games, NW and Mich St, both teams had starting RBs run for over 5ypc, and 9ypc respectively, so obviously a lack of attempts ruined their shot. Pretty obvious the Michigan run defense wasn't anything to write home about last year.

 

Again, any RB that runs for 25yds on 18 carries vs Western Michigan and 45yards on 17 carries vs Temple is NOT better than AP.

Wolfe was hurt in those games. Although, I can't really use that as an excuse because I used it against AP. Look at his body of work, not 2 games. Northwestern went to the Sun Bowl last year, that's not crap.

 

I'd take Wolfe over AP as a college back. Wolfe has 13 more TDs and averages a yard per carry more then AP. I'll agree to disagree with you.

Northwestern as a whole wasnt bad, but their defense was one of the worst in the country last year.

 

Dont get me wrong, I LIKE Garrett Wolfe, I want him on the Panthers for ST purposes. I've admitted I think hes an excellent back on several occasions. But Adrian Peterson is Jupiter to Garrett Wolfes Pluto.

I can't believe someone is trying to argue that Garret Wolfe is better than Adrian Peterson. Is this thread sarcasm???

 

What's next ? Colt Brennan is better than Troy Smith?

To be fair, Colt Brennan is a great QB. Only a JR too if I am not mistaken, and will probably get a look as a 2nd string QB/eventual starter in the NFL. Better than Timmy Chang IMO.

 

And, as great as Troy Smith is, no one really has a lock on him. Ive heard early 1st round all the way to 3rd round as far as draft projections go.

I can't believe someone is trying to argue that Garret Wolfe is better than Adrian Peterson. Is this thread sarcasm???

 

What's next ? Colt Brennan is better than Troy Smith?

Simple, simple, simple question. Have you ever seen Garrett Wolfe play? I know the Fan has.

No one is saying Garrett Wolfe is bad, he is actually really good, just not anywhere near the talent of Adrian Peterson.

No one is saying Garrett Wolfe is bad, he is actually really good, just not anywhere near the talent of Adrian Peterson.

That isn't what I asked. If you think AP is better then fine. Most (well almost all) people do. I'll agree to disagree. However, I hope you have actually seen the other guy play before you say he's not better.

I've watched Garrett Wolfe on TV, as well as AP numerous times on TV. I've seen McFadden in person. Let me just say that right now there is no question in my mind who I would rather have out of any of those guys, and that's Darren McFadden.

 

That being said I would easily take AP or McFadden over Wolfe, anyday, anyhow. And it's not even close. I think that it's kind of a silly argument to tell you the truth.

 

Maybe "pound for pound" Wolfe is better, but unfortunately that's not taken into effect when I'm deciding who I would rather have.

No one is saying Garrett Wolfe is bad, he is actually really good, just not anywhere near the talent of Adrian Peterson.

That isn't what I asked. If you think AP is better then fine. Most (well almost all) people do. I'll agree to disagree. However, I hope you have actually seen the other guy play before you say he's not better.

 

Even though Southern Illinois is basketball oriented, NIU is actually popular down here. Mostly because Southern Illinois by and large hates Illannoy. So I've seen Garrett Wolfe on several occasions. Since we are a 1AA school, NIU is in ways the preferred team as far as football goes down here(although I live in Indiana now where football...where I am at anyway...is an afterthough, at least at the collegiate level).

 

Probably the same thing that goes on up north...alot of people up there probably like SIU in basketball because NIU sucks in that sport. That is, if people up north have the same disdain for Illannoy as we do down here.