You may have noticed a dearth of West Coasters on my defensive all-American ballot from yesterday. Not a one: five players from the SEC — including the entire secondary — three from the Big Ten, two from the Big 12 and one from the A.C.C., to be precise. The Pac-12, as well as the WAC and Mountain West, I suppose, aren’t exactly known for playing defense; offense is how these leagues, especially the Pac-12, make their headlines. So it’s fitting, given the number of talented skill players along the West Coast, that there’s a Pac-12 feel on my offensive all-American ballot. And I swear that this ballot was submitted in a timely manner. Here are the picks:
QB Andrew Luck, Stanford
As if there was any doubt: Luck isn’t the only option, but he stands above the rest of the pack.
RB LaMichael James, Oregon
After a midseason break, James has recommenced his assault on the record books in Oregon’s offense.
RB David Wilson, Virginia Tech
With a young quarterback under center, Wilson has paced Virginia Tech’s run towards the Orange Bowl.
WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
The production is down a tad, but Blackmon continues to impact games more than any other receiver in the country.
WR Robert Woods, U.S.C.
Even when used as a decoy, Woods alters the complexion of games when lined up wide for the Trojans.
TE Dwayne Allen, Clemson
A bit overlooked for Clemson, Allen’s ability to take advantage of holes in the middle gives the offense another dimension.
OL Barrett Jones, Alabama
Jones excels on the edge, but it’s likely that he would be an all-American at any spot along the offensive line.
OL Matt Kalil, U.S.C.
While the line itself is a work in progress, Kalil has anchored a young front that protects the quarterback as well as anyone.
OL Nate Potter, Boise State
Like Jones, Potter could be an all-American at several spots up front; Potter gets even less press for doing so.
OL David Molk, Michigan
While coaches come and go and philosophies change, Molk continues to be Michigan’s most consistent offensive presence.
OL Levy Adcock, Oklahoma State
The Cowboys are second in scoring, second in passing and third in total offense, and not all thanks to Blackmon and Weeden.
P Brad Wing, L.S.U.
Alone, Wing’s performance in L.S.U.’s win over Alabama would have been enough to make him the best in the nation.
K Brett Baer, Louisiana-Lafayette
The Sun Belt’s lone representative, Baer’s clutch kicking helped the Ragin’ Cajuns to three conference wins by single digits.
ST Eric Page, Toledo
Page had to get on this list in some capacity: once again, he remains the most overlooked offensive player in the country.
Outland Trophy: Barrett Jones, Alabama
I’m not crazy about picking Jones for the Outland, which goes to the nation’s best interior lineman, including offensive tackles. Not that Jones isn’t worthy — he is, and then some. But I’ve felt in the past that the Outland should lean towards a defensive player, as a dominant defensive tackle, for instance, can dictate the tempo and flow of a game more than an offensive tackle. That’s not always true, of course. Take the case of Jones: not merely the nation’s best offensive lineman but also its most versatile, Jones has protected a first-year quarterback with ease while bulldozing holes for a prime Heisman contender. In a year largely devoid of difference-making defensive tackles, Jones seems like an easy pick.
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