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Welcome to the Our Daily Bears preseason awards! As we approach the opening game against SMU, we polled most of the brains behind ODB to get their predictions for the 2014 season. As Mark did for the postseason awards last year, I'll introduce each category individually and at the bottom, you'll see how each contributor voted for each category. I think you'll figure it out as we go. So let's jump right to it...
The 2014 OurDailyBears Preseason Awards
Team MVP: QB Bryce Petty
This was the only unanimous selection in the voting and why not? Bryce Petty is the face of Baylor football right now and he will be called upon to lead this team all season long. He had a spectacular season in Year 1 as the starter and should put up even more ridiculous numbers for an encore. He didn't earn any votes for his dancing though.
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Bryce Petty
Again, this should be a surprise to absolutely no one. Petty gets the keys to the best offense in the country which is sure to put up video game numbers again in 2014. Antwan Goodley had 1 vote that kept this one from being unanimous as well.
Defensive Player of the Year: LB Bryce Hager
Returning for his third year as starting middle linebacker, Bryce Hager takes the honors for Defensive POY. Hager was an impact player in both pass and run defense a year ago and is the leading returning tackler despite missing the last 4 games of 2013. He'll be leaned on heavily to lead a talented but inexperienced linebacking core. Shawn Oakman was the only other player to receive multiple votes.
Special Teams Player of the Year: WR/KR Levi Norwood
Levi Norwood was a unanimous selection for this award last season so it would make sense that he got the nod this preseason as well, albeit not unanimous this time. Norwood was one of only 13 players in FBS last year to have at least 2 punt returns for TDs. That one against Texas Tech was especially great. In fact, I think we should watch it again.
Offensive Lineman of the Year: LT Spencer Drango
A near unanimous choice by the panel, Drango returns from back surgery to anchor a reloaded offensive line. His injury last season really showed what a critical piece to the offense that Drango is in protecting Bryce Petty's blind side. If Drango returns to form as expected, his name should make a lot of All-American lists when November rolls around. And he's apparently a pretty good cook too.
Defensive Lineman of the Year: DE Shawn Oakman
Art Briles has repeatedly stated that this will be the best defensive line in America and the voting speaks to the depth of the unit. Four different players received multiple votes but it's Shawn Oakman that takes the honor. Andrew Billings and Jamal Palmer came in a close second. Oakman has the potential to completely ruin the gameplan of an opposition and if he lives up to the hype, he could have a special season. Roll damn tree.
Most Anticipated Game: November 8th @ Oklahoma
Was there any question? This is being circled by local and national media as the game of the year in the Big 12. OU will be out for blood after the 41-12 beatdown they took during the Blackout game last season. This one won't be easy though as Baylor has yet to win a game in Norman. If the Bears could win this game, they not only would have a great chance to repeat as Big 12 champs but also stake a strong case to be a part of the College Football Playoff.
Biggest Trap Game: September 27th @ Iowa State
Beware of Ames. Iowa State always seems to pull off at least one head scratching upset every season (see 2011 Oklahoma State). This is the Bears' first Big 12 game of the season but it comes on the road after a bye week and right before a much anticipated game in Austin against the Stronghorns. If Baylor comes ready to play, this game shouldn't present any problems. But if they let ISU hang around, look out. The West Virginia game on October 18th was nominated as well.
Breakout Player: CB Xavien Howard
I halfway expected Corey Coleman to win this but with the way that Briles and Phil Bennett have been gushing about the play of Xavien Howard in camp, it's easy to see why he would be the pick here. Howard had 1 interception in backup duty last season but showed signs, especially athletically, of a guy who could be in line for a big step forward. He is being projected to cover the other team's best receiver and will be counted on to be a playmaker in the secondary. Javonte Magee and Coleman also took home multiple votes in this category.
Impact Newcomer: WR K.D. Cannon
One of the "Four Horsemen" of freshman wide receivers, K.D. Cannon looks to be pushed into some instant playing time with the injuries to Clay Fuller, Corey Coleman and Jay Lee. In his last 3 seasons at Mount Pleasant HS, Cannon accumulated 243 receptions for 3856 yards and 52 TDs. Reports coming out of camp indicate that he is every bit as good as advertised and will be an immediate contributor. It will be exciting for Baylor fans to watch his growth over the next few years.
KD Cannon showing off his hops. #CampBU #FootballOnTheBrazos pic.twitter.com/M3cUWi1AAp
— Baylor Football (@BUFootball) August 16, 2014
Uniforms for SMU: Traditional Gold/Green/Gold
Varying opinions on this one but I would expect that we will go with the traditional look for the opener. Unfortunately we have to wait until gameday to know for sure. You're killing me Jeff Barlow.
*****
That's it for the awards. Individual voting is listed below. Let us know what you think in the comments!
The Voting
| ODB Preseason Awards | Mark Seymour | Peter Pope | Ted Harrison | Matt Wilson | Conner Morris | David Fankhauser | Colby Conner | imahammeru | Chris Schofield | Matt McBrayer | Dan Manuppeli | Tyler Vassar |
| MVP | B. Petty | B. Petty | B. Petty | B. Petty | B. Petty | B. Petty | B. Petty | B. Petty | B. Petty | B. Petty | B. Petty | B. Petty |
| OPOY | B. Petty | B. Petty | B. Petty | B. Petty | B. Petty | B. Petty | B. Petty | A. Goodley | B. Petty | B. Petty | B. Petty | B. Petty |
| DPOY | B. Hager | B. Hager | B. Hager | O. Stewart | B. Hager | S. Oakman | B. Hager | B. Hager | X. Howard | S. Oakman | B. Hager | B. Hager |
| ST POY | L. Norwood | C. Callahan | L. Norwood | L. Norwood | S. Roth | L. Norwood | S. Roth | L. Norwood | C. Coleman | S. Roth | L. Norwood | L. Norwood |
| OLOY | S. Drango | S. Drango | S. Drango | S. Drango | S. Drango | S. Drango | T. Baker | S. Drango | S. Drango | S. Drango | S. Drango | S. Drango |
| DLOY | A. Billings | B. Bonds | A. Billings | S. Oakman | A. Billings | S. Oakman | B. Bonds | J. Palmer | J. Palmer | S. Oakman | J. Palmer | S. Oakman |
| Biggest Game | OU | OU | OU | TT | OU | OU | OU | OSU | OU | KSU | SMU | OU |
| Trap Game | ISU | WVU | ISU | OSU | ISU | ISU | ISU | WVU | WVU | ISU | ISU | WVU |
| Breakout | X. Howard | T. Singleton | L. Norwood | C. Coleman | X. Howard | X. Howard | D. Chafin | J. Magee | X. Howard | J. Magee | C. Coleman | S. Linwood |
| Newcomer | K. Cannon | K. Cannon | G. Campbell | I. Zamora | J. Jefferson | G. Campbell | K. Cannon | B. Nance | K. Cannon | K. Cannon | C. Callahan | D. Hall |
| Unis for SMU | Gold Green Gold |
Chrome Green Green |
Green White Gold |
Gold Green Gold |
Green Green Green |
Gold Green Gold |
Gold Green White |
Gold Green Gold |
Gold White White |
Green Green White |
Gold Green Gold |
Chrome White White |