Round 1 is in the books, folks. Before moving on to Round 2, let's take a look back at how things have played out so far:
Julio Jones (86%) left Courtney Upshaw (13%) in his dust;
Mark Ingram (83%) stiff-armed C.J. Mosley (16%);
Trent Richardson (90%) trucked Dont'a Hightower (9%);
Barrett Jones (88%) pancaked Marcell Dareus (11%);
AJ McCarron (91%) went deep on Andre Smith (8%);
Javier Arenas (64%) returned it for a touchdown against Mark Barron (35%);
Rolando McClain (60%) managed to block Terrence Cody (39%); and
Chance Warmack (65%) overpowered Dee Milliner (34%).
Of the eight matchups in Round 1, the favorites won seven - only Javy was able to pull off the upset. That's probably why they're called "favorites." Not a single defensive player came away with a win over an offensive player - the only two defensive players to make it into this Elitest of Eight did so by defeating other defensive players, and the only offensive player who failed to advance was undone by another offensive player.
What does this mean? Regardless of our rote recitation of the revered refrain "defense wins championships," are well all truly point-happy 12'ers (whether PAC or Big) at heart? Or does the very nature of offensive plays, with their potentially greater opportunity for individual visibility, favor that side of the ball in this sort of contest? Where is that inflection point where the popularity of offensive players in microcosm is overwhelmed by our apparent preference for defense in macrocosm? How does one explain the success of offensive linemen, who are generally only highlighted when they do something wrong? Or is everyone simply voting for the player who is, in their opinion, "greater?"
You tell me.
Now it's on to Round 2, where we will separate the wheat from the... slightly less popular wheat.
Round #2, Match #9
Julio Jones, WR
Photo credit: Chris Graythen
Stats
179 receptions for 2,653 yards (14.8 yards per reception), 15 touchdowns
10 carries for 139 yards (13.9 yards per carry), 2 touchdowns
12 punt returns for 130 yards (10.8 yards per return)
7 kickoff returns for 162 yards (23.1 yards per return)
3 tackles (3 solo), 1 forced fumble
http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/julio-jones-1.html
Alabama Records
#2 (3-way tie) for receptions in a game (12, vs. Tennessee, 2010) [Interesting Fact: Alabama's top 4 receiving performances in terms of receptions per game have all come against Tennessee: 13, D.J. Hall, 2007; 12, David Bailey, 1969; 12, David Bailey, 1970; and 12, Julio Jones, 2010]
#9 (2 entries of a 6-way tie) for receptions in a game (10, vs. LSU in 2010, and vs. the Auburnite in 2010)
#1 for receptions in a season (78, 2010)
#6 for receptions in a season (58, 2008 - will be a tie in the next book)
#2 for receptions in a career (179)
#1 for receiving yards in a game (221, vs. Tennessee, 2010)
#3 for receiving yards in a game (199, vs. the Auburnite, 2010)
#1 for receiving yards in a season (1,133; 2010)
#5 for receiving yards in a season (924; 2008 - will be #6 in the next book)
#2 for receiving yards in a career (2,653)
#8 for yards per catch in a game (minimum 4 catches) (25.5, vs. LSU, 2009)
#9 for yards per catch in a game (minimum 4 catches) (24.8, vs. Florida, 2008)
#4 for yards per catch in a game (minimum 8 catches) (19.9, vs. the Auburnite, 2010)
#6 for yards per catch in a game (minimum 8 catches) (18.4, vs. Tennessee, 2010)
#3 for yards per catch in a season (minimum 50 catches) (15.9, 2008 - will be #4 in the next book)
#4 for yards per catch in a career (minimum 100 catches) (14.8)
#4 (4-way tie) for touchdown receptions in a season (7, 2010 - will be #5 in the next book)
#4 (tie) for touchdown receptions in a career (15)
#2 for 100-yard receiving games (8)
Awards
2008 AP SEC Freshman of the Year
2008 AP All-SEC (Second Team)
2008 SEC Coaches' All-Freshman Team
2010 AP All-American (Second Team)
2010 AP All-SEC (First Team)
2010 Coaches' All-SEC (First Team)
#6 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julio_Jones#Awards_and_honors
Chance Warmack, OL
Photo credit: Kevin C. Cox
Awards
Unanimous 1st Team All-American (2012)
1st Team All-SEC (2012)
#10 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft