College football awards watch season preview

The general assumption is that Ohio State won't skip a beat under Day, who is obviously quite familiar with the program. If the Buckeyes manage to win the Big Ten title again, and especially if they find their way into the College Football Playoff, Day will be the guy.

Wasn't this going to be Frost's award last year? He was one of the favorites, as many expected a quick turnaround for the Cornhuskers. Instead, Nebraska won four games, but those victories came over the final six games of 2018. The 'Huskers are feeling the preseason love, and Frost, the 2017 winner with Central Florida, is again a contender for this award.

Mullen led Florida to 10 wins and a rout of Michigan in the Peach Bowl in 2018. Winning more than 10 games this season would put Mullen in line for this award, especially if the Gators work themselves into the SEC title picture. He's off to a good start with a win over Miami.

Saban has not won this award since 2008 — maybe that's because many just expect Alabama to be in the hunt for a national title every season. However, if the Crimson Tide is able to climb back to the top of the college mountain and win it all this year, Saban should be considered.

In 2015, Swinney won this award when Clemson went 14-1 and reached the national championship game. If the Tigers are able to repeat as champions, one would have to believe this award is his. But that's about the only way he would get it, considering the annual expectations at Clemson are always high.

Biadasz is the most experienced player on the Badgers' offensive line for 2019 and certainly a good one. An Associated Press preseason All-American, he will be a steadying influence on a unit with new faces at key spots.

Defensive tackles have won the last two Outland Trophies. However, one must go back to 1988 and Tracy Rocker for the last time a player from Auburn took home this honor. Brown has been a good one for the Tigers, totaling 115 tackles and nine sacks through his first three seasons. 

It was a big boost for the Utes when Fotu opted to return for his senior season. At 6-foot-5, 335 pounds, Fotu is a massive interior presence for Utah and could be headed for a lengthy career in the NFL. If the Utes are to remain a Pac-12 title contender, they'll need a big season from Fotu.

Michigan has prominent names on its offense, starting with quarterback Shea Patterson, but Bredeson might be the most valuable player on that unit. He's been a staple on the Wolverines offensive line for some time and enters 2019 as an AP preseason All-American first-teamer.

Arguably the best offensive lineman in the country, Thomas is a major presence at 6-foot-5, 320 pounds. The preseason AP All-American is tasked with protecting Bulldogs star quarterback Jake Fromm and blocking for one of the top ground games in college football.

The reigning Biletnikoff winner, Jeudy enters this season as a favorite to repeat that honor. Jeudy, who had 68 catches last season, ranked among the national leaders with 1,315 receiving yards and 14 touchdown catches in 2018. He'll try to become the first player to win the award in back-to-back seasons since Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon in 2010 and '11. 

Lamb, also one the nation's better return men over the past two seasons, should have the receiving stage to himself at Oklahoma this season now that Marquise Brown has departed. In his two seasons with the Sooners, Lamb has caught 111 passes for 1,965 yards and 18 touchdowns. He should also have fun catching passes from Jalen Hurts, an experienced quarterback.

Moore is arguably the most exciting player in college football. He led the nation with 114 receptions last season for 1,258 yards and 12 TDs.

Ross enjoyed a memorable freshman season for the national champions, recording 46 receptions for 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns. However, it was the work he did in the College Football Playoff against Notre Dame and Alabama — 12 catches, 301 yards and three touchdowns — that really raised his stock. 

An All-American first-team selection by the AP in 2018, Wallace caught 86 passes and was second in the country with 1,491 receiving yards for the Cowboys. Though Oklahoma State will have a new quarterback, there's still a good chance Wallace will again be among the top receivers in the country because of the team's system and overall talent.

There are some quality running backs in the Pac-12, and Benjamin tops the list. The Sun Devil ranked fifth in the nation with a 1,642 rushing yards last season. He was tabbed a preseason All-American and is also one of the top pass-catching backs (35 receptions in 2018) in the country.

He was limited to 10 games in 2018 but still managed to rush for 1,108 yards and 10 touchdowns. In his two seasons for the Eagles, Dillon has gained 2,697 yards and scored 24 touchdowns on the ground. What's perhaps more impressive is that the opposition knows he's getting the ball and still has a hard time stopping him.

One of the front-runners for this award, Etienne aims to become the first Clemson running back to take home the honor. He finished fourth in the nation last season with 1,658 rushing yards and was at the top of the list with 24 TDs on the ground. Etienne can beat defenses inside and outside and could be the most complete ball-carrier in the country.

Maybe not a household name to the casual college football fan, Taylor is one of the nation's most versatile running backs. In 2018, he was second to Pac-12 rushing leader Eno Benjamin with 1,434 yards, and he averaged an impressive 8.3 yards per catch. Taylor averaged 24.5 yards on kickoff returns in 2018.

This Taylor will try to become the first player since Arkansas' Darren McFadden in 2006 and '07 to repeat as winner of the Doak Walker Award. Taylor has been the nation's most prolific running back, gaining 4,171 yards over the past two seasons. He's had some issues with fumbling, but he has averaged 154.5 career yards per game.

Perhaps the most versatile defensive linemen in the country. Davis, who has 11 career sacks, could be the first Alabama defensive lineman to win the Nagurski since Jonathan Allen in 2016.

The nation's top safety might also be the early favorite to win the Nagurski. If that's the case, Delpit would be the first defensive back to win the award since Oklahoma's Derrick Strait in 2003. In two seasons, Delpit has 134 tackles and six interceptions.

The best cornerback in college football currently hails from Virginia. Hall has been a pillar of the Cavaliers defense for the past two seasons. He has five interceptions over his career and last season broke up 22 passes. 

Moses joins Alabama buddy Raekwon Davis on our list. He led the Crimson Tide with 86 tackles in 2018. Like any good linebacker, Moses has a nose for the ball, perhaps better than anybody else in the country. He had 10 tackles for loss last season and also recorded 3.5 sacks. He was named a preseason All-American first-teamer by The Associated Press.

Another great defensive end from Ohio State, Young recorded 10 sacks during a breakout 2018 season for the Buckeyes.

Fromm might not be viewed as a favorite for college football's most prestigious award, but there's a good chance he will at least be in the conversation at some point this season — especially if Georgia remains among the elite. Fromm does a lot of things to like and doesn't make many mistakes. He has only 13 interceptions in two seasons.

Hurts is the most high-profile transfer of 2019. Although some might think it a stretch for a Sooners QB to win the Heisman for a third straight season, Hurts should be in the mix, at least early on. But we wonder if he has the ability to dominate like Kyler Murray did in 2018. 

Lawrence enters the season as the Heisman favorite. And why not? He's the best player on the best team in college football. As a freshman, he threw for threw 30 touchdowns and just four interceptions. 

For most of last season, Tua was the front-runner to take home the Heisman. Then he got banged up while Kyle Murray surged. There is some unfinished business for Tagovailoa, who has a career 195.1 passing rating and 68.1 completion percentage.

Taylor is the best non-quarterback Heisman contender, but he'll probably need to be even better than he has over the past two seasons to earn the award. If Wisconsin returns to prominence in the Big Ten, he has a shot.