Welcome to the 2017 College Football Oscars! Everyone is looking lovely this evening. I see we all got the memo about the wrestling singlets.
Weâve got a lot of awards to give out from the 2016-17 college football season, one with no shortage of award-worthy performances.
And the envelope, please ...
Player in a Leading Role
QB Lamar Jackson, Louisville | vs. Florida State
The spotlight was on, hype for Louisville football was at a fever pitch, and Jackson and the Cardinals did the damned thing. Florida Stateâs defense was down Derwin James for the first time in 2016, and it looked at times like the Seminoles were actually playing 11 vs. 10 on the field because of Jacksonâs dominance during his five-touchdown romp (four rushing, one passing). It was one of those games at the beginning of Jacksonâs Heisman Trophy winning season where his ability to âflip the numbersâ with his legs made him a one-stop offensive production shop.
Player in a Supporting Role
WR Jesse Kroll, Central Michigan | vs. Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph was called for intentional grounding as time expired with the Cowboys holding a 27-24 lead on Central Michigan. The officials awarded CMU an untimed down at the 49-yard line, and thatâs when Kroll pulled in the Hail Mary toss from Cooper Rush before somehow shoveling the ball to Corey Willis prior to getting tackled. Willis then ran into the open field and across the goal line for the win.
Makeup and Hairstyling
Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State | 2016 season
The hairstyle -- named perfectly by the coach himself as the âArkansas Waterfallâ -- added a fun wrinkle to a wild 2016 campaign. Gundy nearly had to cut it in November because of a bet with his son regarding an upcoming test. Thankfully for us, Gundyâs son scored an 88 and not a 91, allowing the Arkansas Waterfall to continue its dominance of the college football hairstyling scene.
Gundy made headlines recently sharing the tips to the trade with his hair on ESPN: âWell itâs a little bit of butch wax, and youâre right, youâve got gotta have good genes, youâve gotta have great hair and youâve got to make sure you have the right product,â he said. âAnd as you know when thereâs a lot of pressure when you have hair like this. Youâve got to make sure it looks right.â
Visual Effects
Pittsburgh | vs. Georgia Tech
Pittâs then-offensive coordinator Matt Canada fooled Georgia Tech with this trick play, springing offensive tackle Brian OâNeill wide left after the snap for a throwback that gave him the chance to hustle to the end zone with some blockers. OâNeill was instructed not to do anything stupid with the ball -- donât drop the ball before you cross the goal line, kids -- if he scored, but once the play was blown dead, there was plenty of celebrating with his Pitt teammates.
This play has already won one big award this season, the heralded Piesman Trophy. The Piesman is presented to a lineman who does a magnificent un-lineman thing. OâNeill was on hand in New York City to receive the award, where his glorious touchdown was celebrated with his family and assorted college football media members.
Costume Design
Both Army and Navy wore stellar alternate uniforms for their historic 2016 clash. Navyâs uniforms called back to the ones worn by Roger Staubach and his Midshipmen teammates during his 1963 Heisman Trophy campaign, while Army honored the 82nd Airborne Division in matte black. What made these threads look even better on CBS was the game, which will go down as one of the best in the recent history of the rivalry.
Army went up 14-0, then Navy scored 17 unanswered points after halftime before the Black Knights finally ended their 14-year losing streak in the series with an Ahmad Bradshaw touchdown to win 17-14.
Documentary (Feature)
âRunning For His Life: The Lawrence Phillips Storyâ | Ross Greenburg, director
âOJ: Made in Americaâ was as compelling a piece of art as we will ever witness from a documentary, but only a small portion of that was dedicated to his time at USC. âRunning for His Lifeâ similarly peeled back the top layer of the headlines to explore the life of Lawrence Phillips, who died on Jan. 13, 2016 after committing suicide. He was charged with murdering his former cellmate back in 2015.
Set Design
Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech | Bristol Motor Speedway
They put a football field in a race track, yâall. They said they were going to do it, and I still didnât believe them, but they put a football field in a race track. The massive scoreboard overhead, huge event atmosphere and interesting sight lines may have contributed to what felt like a weird game, but it made for compelling theater for fans at home and in the stands in Bristol.
Music (Original Song)
âWhoâs Got It Better Than Us?â | Bailey and Jim Harbaugh, Michigan
Harbaugh allowed his familyâs motivational call to get flipped for a rap song by Bailey, a noted Michigan fan. At least Harbaugh was able to get in the video in exchange for the sample clearance.
Honorary Award
Steve Spurrier | College coaching career (1978-82, 1987-2001, 2005-15)
Spurrier gave us so many epic performances during his career. Who could forget ... [cue heartfelt music]
âI didnât know Jadeveonâs car that could go that fast. He doesnât have a pretty car like those FSU guys used to drive.â
âYou canât spell âCitrusâ without U-T.â
âWe were 7-6. Same as Tennessee, same as Arkansas. I think theyâre sorta celebratinâ big seasons last year. ... There are people in Knoxville and Fayetteville still doing cartwheels over going 7-6.â
âHeâs like a New Testament person. He gets slapped up side the face, and turns the other cheek and says, âLord, forgive them for they know not what theyâre doing.â Iâm probably more of an Old Testament guy. You spear our guy in the earhole, we think weâre supposed to spear you in the earhole. Thatâs kind of where weâre a little different.â
Nobody was a better performer than Steve Spurrier during âtalking season.â He still chimes in from time to time, but never holding court like he used to at SEC Media Days.
Best Picture
Ohio State vs. Oklahoma | Kevin Jairaj, USA Today Sports Images
This incredible photo captures Noah Brownâs amazing touchdown catch at Oklahoma along with the reaction of the visiting Buckeye fans on the sideline. They say âa picture is worth 1,000 words,â and this one comes pretty close.