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Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Big East stock report: Week 6

By Brian Bennett

Stock up

1. Ray Graham: Yeah, a 277-yard running day will make your stock go up. The Pittsburgh running back is averaging a whopping 9.5 yards per carry, and his 164 yards per game ranks third nationally.

2. UConn's second halves: In the past two weeks against Buffalo and Vanderbilt, the Hu have outscored their opponents 50-7. Now if UConn can just put together two halves like that in the same game.

3. Adam Froman: The Louisville quarterback has had two solid games in a row and now leads the Big East in total offense despite having several inexperienced receivers to work with.

Ray Graham
Ray Graham rushed for 277 yards and three touchdowns against Florida International last week.
4. Jeremy Deering: The Rutgers true freshman had four catches for 66 yards and was one of the lone bright spots in the loss to Tulane.

Stock down

1. Jon Baldwin's production: Baldwin had only two catches for 14 yards against Florida International and has just 15 catches for 211 yards on the season. It seems like he should put up those kinds of numbers every game, not over a four-game span.

2. Rutgers' offensive line: The Scarlet Knights have already allowed 13 sacks and have been a main cause of the school's continual offensive struggles.

3. Eric Schwartz: The USF kicker is just 1-of-5 on field-goal attempts this season and has now lost his job to Maikon Bonani.

4. D.J. Shoemate: Even with Robbie Frey injured, the USC transfer can't move up to No. 2 running back on UConn's depth chart right now.

Player of the year race: Offense

1. Jordan Todman, RB, Connecticut: Has more than 150 more rushing yards than the next closest player in the Big East.

2. Ray Graham, RB, Pittsburgh: At this pace, he'll make a serious case.

3. Zach Collaros, QB, Cincinnati: Leads league in passing yards; will need big finish.

4. Noel Devine, RB, West Virginia: If bone bruise is healed, he should keep putting up stats.

5. Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse: Top-rated passer in the league; schedule about to stiffen.

Player of the year race: Defense

1. Robert Sands, S, West Virginia: Back on top after idle week.

2. JK Schaffer, LB, Cincinnati: Leads league in tackles, is as steady as it gets.

3. Joe Lefeged, S, Rutgers: Drops a bit because of poor team performance.

4. Derrell Smith, LB, Syracuse: Leader of a solid defense that needs to prove it in league play.

5. Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh: Stepped up his game with Greg Romeus out.

Freshman of the year race:

1. Stedman Bailey, WR, West Virginia: Redshirt freshman has 10 catches for 137 yards and three touchdowns.

2. Marquis Spruill, LB, Syracuse: True frosh is starting at linebacker and has 24 tackles this season.

3. Terrance Mitchell, DB/KR, South Florida: Mitchell has already made an impact on special teams and is pushing for more playing time on defense.

4. Shamar Stephen, DT, Connecticut: Redshirt freshman has become a starting defensive tackle for Huskies.

5. Jeremy Deering, WR, Rutgers.