2013 BCS Championship Predictions: Offensive MVP Favorites, Dark Horses and Sleepers 1/7/13: Since 2005, the BCS National Championship has handed out game MVPs to both an offensive and defensive player. Thus far, players from the winning team have won the award on both sides of the ball in all seven seasons. On the offensive side of the ball, five of the seven MVPs have been given to quarterbacks while running backs have claimed the honor on two occasions. With Monday’s title game being battle of the two best scoring defenses in the country, handicapping this year’s offensive MVP candidates is a little tricky. That being said, there are a few players that stand out based on their roles in their team’s offense or their potential for making big plays. With that in mind, here is a look at the top contenders for this year’s Discover BCS National Championship Offensive MVP.
2013 BCS Championship Predictions
The Favorites
Alabama’s ridiculously-talented offensive line has making holes for Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon all season, and if the Crimson Tide win Monday, there is a good chance that one of them will have a monster game. In fact, it isn’t out of the question that the two backs split the honor. During the year, Lacy rushed for 1,182 yards and 16 scores while Yeldon rushed for 1,000 yards and 11 scores. Both players are more than capable of carrying the Crimson Tide offense, and whichever one does is likely to follow in the footsteps of Alabama back Mark Ingram and earn the Offensive MVP Award.
The one player on Norte Dame’s offense that can make the type of explosive plays that could change the momentum in Monday’s title game is quarterback Everett Golson. His numbers don’t jump of the page, but seven of his 11 touchdown passes did come in the final four games. More importantly, he is always a threat to extend plays and drives with his legs. Meanwhile, Alabama’s defense has had some issues with mobile QBs, losing to Jordan Jefferson and LSU last year and Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M this season. If the Fighting Irish win the game and Golson makes some crucial plays on the ground and through the air, he will join a long list of QBs to take home Offensive MVP honors.
The Dark Horses
No player has ever won either MVP Award more than once, but Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron has a chance to change that Monday. He was named Offensive MVP of last year’s title game when he torched LSU’s secondary, throwing for 234 yards while completing 67.6 percent of his passes. McCarron has been even better this season, and he ranks second in the country in QB rating and has 26 touchdowns compared to just three interceptions. Alabama’s running game has been the backbone of the offense, but with Notre Dame likely focusing on slowing down the Crimson Tide’s ground attack, McCarron could make the Fighting Irish pay and earn himself another national title and another Offensive MVP Award.
Although he has had a somewhat inconsistent career and didn’t even lead the team in rushing this season, Cierre Wood could make his last game as a member of the Fighting Irish a memorable one. Fellow running back Theo Riddick led the team with 880 yards, but Wood is the much more explosive player. He is averaging 6.7 yards per carry on the year, which actually tops either of Alabama’s two superstar backs. He has had at least one run of 20 yards in five games this season and has had a pair of rushes for more than 60 yards. Wood has the speed and elusive to turn any carry into six points, and one big touchdown run might be all he needs to swing momentum in the favor of the Fighting Irish and swing the vote for Offensive MVP in his favor.
Sleeper Specials
He was already Alabama’s most productive receiver, and Amari Cooper has been even better since injuries forced him to an even larger role. The freshman leads the Crimson Tide with 895 yards and nine touchdowns, and he closed the year with 109 yards and two scores in the Iron Bowl against Auburn and eight catches for 128 yards and a score in the SEC title game. When quarterback A.J. McCarron looks down the field, Cooper is usually the target. In a game that is expected to be a war in the trenches, a few big catches by Cooper could steal the spotlight as he steals Offensive MVP honors.
Notre Dame’s passing game wasn’t exactly explosive, but tight end Tyler Eifert is the most reliable option when the Fighting Irish do put the ball in the air. He led the team with 44 catches for 624 yards and was solid down the stretch, topping 60 yards in each of the final four games. More importantly, he has a knack for making catches in crunch time and moving the chains on third down. Eifert already has the John Mackey Award for the country’s best tight end under his belt, and a few clutch catches Monday could earn him Offensive MVP honors in the BCS title game.
Notre Dame vs Alabama Vegas Odds and Total
Date: 1/7/13
Line: Alabama -9.5
Total: Over/Under 40.5
Television: 8:30 PM EST on ESPN
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