NCAA blitz: College Football Playoff, bowl and major award predictions
(Editor’s note: This story is part of The Star’s annual football preview, which will appear in three special sections in the Sunday, Aug. 28 print edition and also on KansasCity.com and The Star’s Red Zone Extra app.)
Heisman finalists
Deshaun Watson, Clemson quarterback
Makes plays with his arms and legs and nearly won a national title for the Tigers last season
Christian McCaffrey, Stanford running back
All McCaffrey did last season was rush for 2,019 yards, catch 45 passes for 645 yards, throw two TD passes and return a kickoff and punt for a touchdown.
Leonard Fournette, LSU running back
Fournette was the Heisman leader at the midseason point last year. Can he finish in 2016?
Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma quarterback
Mayfield was sensational last year. Opponents have a book on him this season.
Major award winners
Heisman (overall): Watson
Maxwell (overall): McCaffrey
Davey O’Brien (quarterback): Watson
Doak Walker (running back): McCaffrey
Biletnikoff (wide receiver): Calvin Ridley, Alabama
Mackey (tight end): Jake Butt, Michigan
Outland (lineman): Dan Feeney, Indiana
Rimington (center): Tyler Orlosky, West Virginia
Nagurski/Bednarik (defense): Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
Ted Hendricks (defensive end): Garrett
Lombardi (defensive lineman): Jonathan Allen, Alabama
Butkus (linebacker): Anthony Walker, Northwestern
Thorpe (defensive back): Desmond King, Iowa
Groza (kicker): Andy Phillips, Utah
Ray Guy (punter): JK Scott, Alabama
Conference champions
Big 12: Oklahoma
Southeastern: Alabama
Big Ten: Ohio State
Atlantic Coast: Clemson
Pac-12: UCLA
American: Houston
Mountain West: Boise State
Conference USA: Western Kentucky
Mid-American: Toledo
Sun Belt: Appalachian State
College Football Playoff
Fiesta: Clemson vs. Oklahoma
Peach: Ohio State vs. Alabama
Championship: Clemson over Alabama
Other major bowl games
Rose: Michigan vs. UCLA
Sugar: Oklahoma State vs. LSU
Cotton: Houston vs. Notre Dame
Orange: Tennessee vs. Florida State
This story was originally published August 27, 2016 at 3:05 PM.