Freddie Barnes is on the short List for Biletnikoff

Hey, Freddie Barnes has made the final 10 on the Biletnkoff list for top receiver is the NCAA.  This is a terrific honor for Freddie and our conference, and is recognition for the season he is having.  He is leading the NCAA in receptions, yards, and TD receptions.

The other nine pretenders to the throne follow:

• Dezmone Briscoe (Kansas)
• Vincent Brown (San Diego State)
• Eric Decker (Minnesota)
• Marshwan Gilyard (Cincinnati)
• A.J. Green (Georgia)
• Jordan Shipley (Texas)
• Demaryius Thomas (Georgia Tech)
• Golden Ttate (Notre Dame)
• Mike Williams (Syracuse)

By the way, I did learn something.  I was researching Fred Biletnikoff because it was belief that the receiver award was named for him primarily for his professional play and not for his college play.

This was, as it turns out, an opinion formed without actual contact with facts.  He is actually in the College Football Hall of Fame.  He played at Florida State, though he is from Erie, PA.  I have actually driven by the field there that is named for him.

No, really.  Like I could make that up.

Anyhoo, it is good company for Freddie to be in.  Just last week in the MAC Blog Roundtable we were wondering why MAC schools don't get mentioned for these national awards.

Finally, I do want to state my opinion on one thing.  There seems to be some idea that Freddie Barnes is some kind of system freak who is the Graham Harrell of receivers.  This is also not in contact with facts.  Sure he catches some screens and flares.  He also goes downfield a lot, and gets open across the middle and goes deep.  He is a very complete receiver who would thrive in any system, and all the more because teams know that he is getting the ball.

Finally, I do think our offensive coaches are doing a great job finding ways to get him open and to prevent him from being double covered.  It is clear that is a big part of our game plan, and our guys are getting it done.