In an attempt to network with the college football blogging community, and to fill up some much needed blog space; I have decided to take a crack at some of the nominations for the 2007 College Football Blogger Awards. The rules are simple and can be found here, and if you as a reader would like to nominate a blog (hint, hint, podcast), you can use the nifty gizmo which can be found here. One change from last year is that if you won a certain award in 2006, you cannot win that same award in 2007. I am also going to try and not nominate a blog more than once in the nomination threads that I will do.

Best MSM Blog
The best blog piloted by an Official Journalist, defined as someone employed by a newspaper company or a major website like SI.com or ESPN.com.

I figured this would be a good start as any to begin my nominations. I read a few college football writers, D.C Sports Bog, Stewart Mandel, and Mark Schlabach, but my favorite is Bruce Feldman. Yeah I know what you are thinking, I am just kissing up to him so he’ll come on the podcast. That isn’t the reason, Bruce is a great writer and he does it without the arrogance that many main stream media members possess. His analysis is insightful and he isn’t afraid to say what he feels is right, even though it might not be exactly what we as a fan wants to hear.

The Dr. Z Award
Cogent, interesting analysis. CRITERIA: Emphasis placed on statistical manipulation, well researched pieces that reveal something new, and/or solid argumentative pieces that function as the authoritative last word on a subject.

I was really surprised when this person didn’t win this award last year, but my nomination goes to SMQ. Hands down a great writer and analyst of statistics. He is definitely someone I read every day and try to emulate.

The Job Award
The blog that has suffered through its chosen team’s dismal season with the most dignity.

There are two blogs that come to my mind when I think of this one. The first one is Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician. As we all know the Syracuse Orange have been suffering through a drought the past few years and no one knows it more than that blog. They along with my other friend Jon Johnston at Corn Nation, both do it with dignity and honor. My nod for the nomination goes to Corn Nation by a hair because Nebraska, once a powerhouse, has fallen on some real hard times (this year’s Kansas game), and Jon has taken it with a grain of salt and was a man about it.

The Trev Alberts Quits To Do Construction Award
Comic relief; overall hilarity. CRITERIA: The funniest college football blog.

No one gets me laughing more than a post from Orson at EDSBS, but since he won last year he is ineligible this year. My nomination this year I know is a darkhorse, but that’s what these awards are for, to bring out some of the lesser known blogs to the forefront for their good work. Bastard Sons of Pinfall Marks is a West Virginia site that has gotten increasingly funnier now that they can rip on Rich Rod. You have to check them out. They were the ones that brought to the forefront my nomination for funniest post of the year which you will see later in this post. BSPM is my nomination for funniest blog.

The Keith Jackson Circa 1995 Award
The blog with the most consistently expressive and excellent writing. CRITERIA: Mechanical competency, yes, but the ability to turn a devastatingly funny phrase or write something compelling is probably more important. This isn’t an award for copy editing; it’s an award for kickin’ prose.

If you listened to my last podcast, you will remember how Ben from BCS Busters recommended Dawg Sports as a place for great insight and debate. Well I finally got around to checking him out and he was exactly right. Great articles, and a great community fan base to debate with. Kyle really gets you thinking and they are my nomination for this award.

The Jenn Sterger’s Rack Award
The best photoshop or other counterfeit gag of the year.

A special thanks to Bastard Sons of Pinfall Marks for finding this one. It is from a site called, Gump for Heisman, and the post is entitled “GUMP4HEISMAN EXCLUSIVE: Rich Rod’s REAL WVU Contract Demands”. If you read it and don’t laugh, then there is something wrong with you.

Best Multimedia Thing
The best audio thing, podcast, or web-video type thing of the year. Highlight clips not eligible.

Obviously on this award I would love to nominate In The Bleachers for our podcast, but since we cannot do that legally, I won’t. I listen to a few other podcasts and as many of my readers know, I am a huge Penn State fan. So for the most part I do listen to Penn State podcasts. Again this is one that flies a little under the radar, but it is definitely one that deserves consideration. Bill Contz was a member of the 1982 Penn State National Championship team, played a few years in the pros, and also was an analyst for the Steelers postgame show for a few years. He runs a podcast called “The LIONS Roar”, which is a weekly talkshoe podcast. He has had guest such as former Nittany Lion players and defensive coordinator Tom Bradley. Unlike many other people close to the program, Bill is not afraid to point out the short comings of the Nittany Lions’ program. Bill is a great speaker and his points come across clear and concise. The LIONS Roar podcast is my nomination.

Best New Blog
The best new college football blog. CRITERIA: Must have launched sometime after last year’s national championship game. Transitioning to a new blog or affiliating with a network mid-stream doesn’t count.

This is a tough one because there are always great blogs popping up throughout the year. I have two blogs that started up this year in which I am torn on who to nominate and which one to put in the Best Big 12 blog category. After reading a bit more (actually flipping a coin), I am going to nominate the blog Barking Carnival. The Carnival is a conglomerate of writers that cover Texas Longhorn sports, and they do it really well. If you haven’t checked it out, I highly suggest that you do.

The Old Faithful Award
The best recurring feature of the year. CRITERIA: The feature should be posted weekly and be generally good and stuff. VOTING NOTES: Please leave a link to the most recent in the series; we’ll extrapolate from there.

This is another category in which I was surprised the person I am going to nominate did not win this award last year. If you read EDSBS, like I am sure you do, you will be well aware of the Fulmer Cup. It is a list that no fan wants his team to be on, but it is a great way to pass the offseason with a little banter. The Fulmer Cup from EDSBS is my nomination for this award.

The Brady Quinn Award
The prettiest blog. CRITERIA: An aesthetic appeal and usability. The best looking and most functional blog.

I hate the name of this award, mainly because of my great distaste of everything that is Quinn related. But anyway…this blog should also be noted for their good writing and newness to the blogosphere, but Saturday Sound Offs has a great layout which is pleasing to the eye. I really like how they used graphics (instead of text links) for the blogs that they link.

That is it for my nominations for now. I will contiune them in a post that will come out either later this week(end) or early next week before the nominations are closed. If there are any blogs that you would like me to take a better look at for the remaining awards, please leave them in the comment section.