Preseason Awards

The NCAA loves preseason awards. They give out All America nods during the preseason. They make a list of Heisman hopefuls. They even pick who the best team is before the season starts with a preseason poll. Frankly, I'm not sure why we even waste our time playing the games if we've already given out all the awards.

So, since I, like the NCAA, have all the answers before the season even begins, I feel confident in telling you EXACTLY what's going to happen this year. So here goes ...

Offensive MVP - Delone Carter
This one's pretty obvious. The only true playmaker on the offensive side, Carter has to be the man to carry the load literally and figuratively. As long as someone tells him the opposing team's linebackers threw a snowball at his car, SU's running game should be just fine.
-Runner up - Ryan Nassib
You'd hope the quarterback would be the most valuable player on a good team. It's just tough to tell what Nassib is capable of if the ball is in his hands in crunch time.

Defensive MVP - Derrell Smith
Another no-brainer for MVP, Smith is the unquestioned leader on the defense. He made tremendous leaps and bounds last season, and the expectations are high for the redshirt senior.
-Runner up - Doug Hogue
Hogue mirrored Smith in taking a big leap as a converted running back to linebacker. He has the speed, but can he add the strength to be a star?

Impact Frosh - Prince-Tyson Gulley
Looks like Marquis Spruill is the only freshman who will start, but Gulley looks to make the most impact, filling in for Averin Collier as a backup to Carter and Antwon Bailey and seeing time as a returner on special teams. Plus, that name is awesome.
-Runner up - Spruill
He's going to start ... that puts him ahead of everyone else.

Pleasant Surprise - Alec Lemon
There's not a lot of confidence in the SU receivers, and that's probably fair based on their production last year. But Lemon came on strong at the end of last season with nine catches and 140 yards in the finale against UConn. If he steps up, the entire offense will improve.
-Runner up - Mikhail Marinovich
The focus will be on Chandler Jones on the defensive line this season. That should give Marinovich more favorable matchups on the other end.

Biggest Letdown - Chandler Jones
Everyone's high on Art's brother, and I'm not saying he's a bust. It's just asking a lot for the junior to suddenly become Dwight Freeney or even his brother. He certainly has the skills and the pedigree, but at just 250 pounds, he might still have some growing to do.
-Runner up - Doug Hogue
Hogue could be defensive MVP (see above) or he could be a giant disappointment. Hogue's big numbers were boosted by one monster game against Rutgers which could have been the exception more than the rule.

Most Important Game - Rutgers
Tough call for this one, but SU has the chance to steal back the fertile New York/New Jersey recruiting ground by upending Rutgers on its own turf for its second-consecutive win against the Scarlet Knights. With a win over Louisville as well, Syracuse could finally escape from the Big East basement, too.
-Runner up - Boston College
Hopefully it's the game that seals a bowl win (hopeful), or at least a .500 season (possible). No matter what, it always feels good beating these guys.

As always, leave your comments below.