| Was Cal running back C.J. Anderson's big game against the Bruins enough to get him on our list? (AP) |
One prolific week of passing puts four quarterbacks on our list, and one look at the stats shows why...
Here's a look at what (or who?) we would build from Week 5:
Brain: Stanford quarterback Josh Nunes -- Whether it was Nunes' decision-making on the field or David Shaw's call on the sidelines, the Stanford offense appeared to be moving away from the model that Andrew Luck perfected. Namely, perfecting the play-action pass with the tight end and using the quarterback as a running threat. Nunes wised up on Saturday in an overtime shootout against Arizona. The Cardinal aren't in this game, and certainly not at 54 points, unless Nunes throws for a career-high 360 yards and two touchdowns and runs for three touchdowns.
Heart: Cal quarterback Zach Maynard -- For weeks, Maynard was better known as "The Much-Maligned Zach Maynard" -- and for good reason. He was maligned. Much. Either by opposing defenses who found it whimsical and humorous to smash him into the ground, or by Cal fans and media who needed someone besides Jeff Tedford to blame because there was just that much blame to go around. Well, Tedford's seat has now cooled with a 43-17 win over visiting UCLA, and Maynard is as much to thank as anyone after completing 25 of 30 passes for 295 yards and four touchdowns.
Arm: Arizona quarterback Matt Scott, USC quarterback Matt Barkley -- We're giving out two arm awards this week because we're afraid Scott's arm might actually fall off. That's what happens after you set Pac-12 records in completions (45) and attempts (69) for 491 yards and three touchdowns. If Scott's arm does actually dangle, we'll use Barkley's. All he did was throw USC back into the fold after a 14-0 deficit against Utah, completing 23 of 30 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns.
Hands: USC wide receiver Marqise Lee -- Truly, this award could have gone to several people in this league. A great many players have hands, none better than Lee. Twelve receptions for 192 yards and a touchdown in a primetime, ESPN, Thursday-night game does the trick, even if the competition was stiff. Spare Parts: Arizona WR Austin Hill -- Hill continues to be Scott's favorite target. He made 12 receptions for 165 yards and two touchdowns against Stanford. ... Stanford TE Levine Toilolo -- Talk about maximizing production. Toilolo had 141 yards and a score on just five catches.
Legs: Stanford running back Stepfan Taylor -- Taylor runs hard and often, and he runs with purpose. It took 31 carries for the workhorse to total 142 yards and two touchdowns, but a first-quarter, three-yard gain turned into a fourth-quarter, six-yard gain, and that's the point with a power offense, no? Spare Parts: UCLA DL Cassius Marsh -- We weren't sure where to put Marsh, but with his strong legs, he seems to fit here. Either way, an offensive goal-line touchdown plus a forced fumble, fumble recovery, eight tackles and two TFL deserves to go somewhere.
Feet: Arizona running back Ka'Deem Carey -- Carey is quickly endearing himself to Arizona faithful who are watching him become the Pac-12's premiere young back. On Saturday in a losing effort, Carey totaled 29 carries for 132 yards and three touchdowns, giving him the conference lead. Seniors take up the top three spots on the conference rushing leaderboard, but Carey is in fourth, leading a crop of talented youngsters. Spare Parts: Cal RB C.J. Anderson -- Isi Sofele and upstart Brendan Bigelow get the attention, but Anderson had the production on Saturday with 21 carries for 151 yards and a touchdown.
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