CAC Wrapup, 2019
CAC Coach Of The Year: Jon Dobsinski, OC, #2 Illinois
11-2 (9-1), Big Ten Champions, Rose Bowl win, final rank #2
Season Synopsis: The Illini lost just twice all year, to then #1 Georgia in OT and to eventual national champs Ohio State by 7. A scheduling bug left them with just 11 regular season games, which may have cost them a national championship berth. They'll feel hard-done-by, but a Big Ten title and BCS bowl win is better than they've done in years.
POTY: QB Emmanuel Bryant - 3003 pass yards (66%), 31 TD, 7 INT, 821 rush yards (5.2 YPC), 7 TD
3-9 (3-5), no bowl
Season Synopsis: Amir Cohen came in and brought a team coming off back-to-back 1-11 season to 3-9 after starting 0-8. It's an OK first year, but he'll need to build on 2019 to keep his job.
POTY: QB Hakim Johnson - 3218 pass yards (55%), 25 TD, 5 INT
5-7 (4-5), no bowl
Season Synopsis: Rodney Sims and Travis Bracken are likely going pro. Smith's defense wasn't terrible, but those 2 carried it. HC spot could be open for Smith soon.
POTY: DE Rodney Sims - 79 tack., 29 TFL, 10.5 sacks, INT, defl., 2 FF
9-5 (7-3), Alamo Bowl loss to Texas
Season Synopsis: A midseason switch to an Air Raid offense revitalized a team that started slowly. Ultimately a disappointing year with all the talent on deck, the Bruins couldn't get it done, losing 3 games by a field goal.
POTY: QB Mike Hayden - 4136 pass yards (62%), 44 TD, 8 INT, 650 rush yards (4.0 YPC), 6 TD
9-4 (5-4), Sun Bowl victory over Virginia Tech, final rank #23
Season Synopsis: This team had gone 2-10 in 2018, so to finish 2019 9-4 and ranked is huge. Slaughter's offense was terrific, and with more talent could have been even better.
POTY: HB Darryl Perkins - 1282 rush yards (5.7 YPC), 12 TD, long of 17