Last Comment on MAC Awards

One last commentary on the MAC awards.

First, I believe Jones was the right pick for Defensive Player of the Year.  He is producing at a position where players often contribute just by eating up blocks.  He was somebody you had to be aware of at all times.  He was strong in the middle and deadly on the edge.  I watched him abuse one of Buffalo's tackles.

Second, I think Darrell Hazell was the obvious choice for Coach of the Year.  What he did for that program, using a lot of existing players, is simply incredible.  It was a great accomplishment after 40 years of futility for their program.

The big debate has been over Jordan Lynch and Dri Archer.  As a MAC fan, this is a great debate to be having, because both of these guys are just eye-popping players that are a credit to our conference.  I sort of expected the league to go all Solomon on the thing and give Lynch the "Vern Smith Leadership Award" and Archer the Offensive Player of the Year.

They didn't.  Lynch won them both.  And, I can't really argue with that.

Here's the thing.  Lynch led the MAC in passing efficiency while also being the leading rusher.  (He leads in passing efficiency if you eliminate a little used QB from OU.  In fact, the race for passing efficiency is not even close.)  If that isn't the offensive player of the year, than I don't know what is.

I feel bad.  In another year, Archer is a unanimous choice.  But, I don't see how you can argue with Lynch under those circumstances.  See, as the conference gets stronger, you get more of this...being just great starts to not be enough.

Same will apply to teams.  A MAC championship quality team in, say, 2007, might not cut it in 2012.