ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett

Stock it to me.

Stock up


1. Tim Brown: You had to wonder if a guy as small as Brown could become a true No. 1 receiver. He's answered that question resoundingly with a terrific season, catching 37 passes for 811 yards and five touchdowns for Rutgers. He had two scores, including the last-minute, 81-yard game-winner against UConn last week. Imagine his numbers if he had a more experienced quarterback all year.

2. Eric Schwartz: There's no other way to say it: South Florida's kicking was flat-out brutal during the middle of the year. But ever since he drilled a wholly unexpected 50-yarder to end the half against Cincinnati, Schwartz has been money in the bank. The junior walk-on has made six straight, including all three against West Virginia.

3. Cincinnati's hands: The Bearcats are the only team in the country that has not lost a fumble this year, amazingly. They have committed only four turnovers the entire season.

4. Mo Plancher: South Florida's running game aside from B.J. Daniels had stalled in recent weeks. Plancher helped fix that with 86 yards on 18 carries against West Virginia, creating many yards after first contact and setting a tone for that game.

5. Gallows humor: We criticized Louisville coach Steve Kragthorpe's weird postgame comments about wanting to play against Tony Pike last week. This week, we credit the coach for his surprisingly funny press conference opening line about talking to Jon Gruden. Here's hoping that if this is indeed the final month of the Kragthorpe tenure, we get to see more of the guy's personality in the final days.

Stock down

1. Syracuse and Louisville crowds: The Orange drew only an announced 33,802 fans to Saturday's game against Cincinnati, a number that was probably inflated. Louisville had a stadium-record low 21,497 turn out for Arkansas State. Pathetic all around. Cardinals fans at least had somewhat of an excuse with the bad opponent, apathy for Kragthorpe's team and a game that spilled into Halloween trick-or-treating time. The Orange were playing the No. 5 team in the country at noon and offered free tickets to students. What's the deal with that?

2. Mike Williams: For quitting on his team. Don't be surprised if he comes back before the season is over, but that wouldn't make his decision-making any less boneheaded.

3. West Virginia's pass defense: Cornerback Keith Tandy got burned a lot against South Florida, but he wasn't the only culprit. The Mountaineers rank seventh in the league against the pass and have allowed big days through the air to Connecticut, Colorado and Auburn. That needs to get fixed before the Mountaineers take on Cincinnati and Pitt.

4. Overtime: The very first game of the year, Syracuse's loss to Minnesota, went to an extra period. Since then, the Big East hasn't given us an free football. Come on guys, put in a few overtime hours.

5. Instant replay: Maybe it's just me, but it seems like a lot of the Big East games I've seen this year have been bogged down by endless replay reviews that take far too long to resolve. I'm all for getting the call right, but the countless breaks in the action kill any kind of flow to the game.

Player of the year race: Offense

1. Dion Lewis, RB, Pittsburgh: We have a new leader. Lewis has run for 1,029 yards on 185 attempts, with 11 touchdowns, ranking fourth in the FBS in rushing yards per game.

2. Tony Pike, QB, Cincinnati: Pike has been bumped down for missing the last two games. For the season, he has completed 64.3 percent of his passes for 1,633 yards and 15 touchdowns, with three interceptions.

3. Noel Devine, RB, West Virginia: Did not have a good game against South Florida, with only 42 yards. He has rushed for 954 yards on 154 attempts this season, with 10 touchdowns.

4. Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati: Has 53 catches for 736 yards and eight touchdowns.

5. Bill Stull, QB, Pittsburgh: Has completed 67.3 percent of his passes for 1,654 yards and 16 touchdowns, with four interceptions.

Player of the year race: Defense

1. Mick Williams, DT, Pittsburgh: Maintains the lead after a bye week. Leads the league with 12.5 tackles for loss and has forced three fumbles.

2. Lindsey Witten, DE, UConn: Tied for second in the nation in sacks, with 10.5.

3. Aaron Webster, S, Cincinnati: Has three interceptions and is the leader of the defense for the Big East's best defense.

4. Kion Wilson, LB, South Florida: Was a beast against West Virginia. Leads the Bulls with 61 tackles.

5. Lawrence Wilson, LB, UConn: Leads the Big East with 86 tackles.

Player of the year race: Special teams

1. Scott Kozlowski, P, West Virginia: Ranks eighth in the nation in punting at 45 yards per attempt.

2. Robbie Frey, KR, UConn: Might win the award if it were handed out today, with his 29.5 yard kick return average and Saturday's 100-yard touchdown return. Alas, Frey is done for the season with a torn labrum.

3. Cam Saddler, KR, Pitt: Saddler is 11th nationally with a 30.3 yard kick-return average. But he's missed the last two games with an injury.

4. Dan Hutchins, K, Pitt: Has made 10 of 12 field goals for Pitt, including the game-winner against UConn.

5. Mardy Gilyard, KR, Cincinnati: Always a threat to score, he's averaging 26.2 yards per kickoff return and has brought back a punt for a touchdown.