The envelope, please ..

Offensive Player of the Year: C.J. Bacher, Northwestern

One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble

Can't be too careful with your company

Move over Yao Ming and Judge Ito, there's a new Asian-American breaking down barriers in this country. This guy just happens to be a Big Ten quarterback, and fTV's ™ Offensive Player of the Year. How he juggled his Engrish major with a rigorous football schedule is beyond me. But not only did Bacher "wok the wok," he talked the talk as well.

His remarkable campaign was highlighted by wins over stiff defensive units in Minnesota and Michigan State. Bacher hung (no pun intended) nearly 100 points and 1,000 yards combined on those two squads. And nobody in Evanston will soon forget the "where were you when ..?" comeback win over Indiana.

And Bacher didn't just do it with his arm, folks. He did it with his legs as well. How many times did we see C.J. get in the huddle and call the play "Hello Kitty" (the QB draw), only to scramble for a much needed first down.

Honorable Mention: Anthony Morelli, Penn State

My prediction of four Heisman trophies for Mr. Morelli didn't come to fruition, but the kid had a hell of a career. If I had a nickel for every big win this kid had in Happy Valley, I'd be .. well .. anyways. Moving on ...

Defensive Player of the Year: Jonal Saint-Dic, Michigan State

St. Dic burst onto the scene in East Lansing this season, reeking enough havoc to be affectionately coined "Sackmaster." St. Dic -- an imposing 73 inches (height, that is) -- forced many a fumble this year. Opposing players can testify: when that St. Dic takes you down, you're gagging and fighting just to come up for air. Coach Dantonio should be thanking his lucky stars for that kid; the Spartans rode St. Dic hard, all the way to the prestigious Champs Sports Bowl where he'll have a chance to break the NCAA's all-time forced fumbles record. Beware Boston College; he's come this far, don't expect St. Dic to blow it now.

Honorable Mention: J Leman, Illinois

This hunkalicious linebacker was a dominant force this season on America's sexiest team (yes, I'll admit it. Ron Zook makes me question my heterosexuality). Word is that USC coach Pete Carroll has been laughing when watching gamefilm in preparation for the Rose Bowl. Something tells me those are nervous laughs of fear. Snubbed by Butkus voters, Leman will be out to prove a point in Pasadena.

Coach of the Year: Joe Tiller, Purdue

This season really couldn't have gone much better for the Boilermakers. As has become commonplace in West Laffayette, Tiller's squad admirably handled one of the nation's toughest slates, somehow scoring seven victories. Take a look at the scalps Purdue laid claim to this year, and tell me you're not impressed (Toledo, Eastern Illinois, Central Michigan, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Iowa, Northwestern).

Lo and behold, the best team of that bunch (Central Michigan) gets another shot at Tiller's boys. This time on the big stage -- Ford Field. If Purdue can somehow overcome the Chippewas for the second time in one season, minus injured star WR Selwyn Lymon (a sore liver), the College Football Hall of Fame might as well just go ahead and clear some space for Tiller's bust.

Honorable Mention: Lloyd Carr, Michigan

Another season with high expectations ends with another trip to a New Year's Day bowl game. Life is good in Ann Arbor. I'd bet a lot of money that Jim Tressel is happy Coach Carr is hanging them up. And I'd bet he's trembling in his boots at the thought of having to face the thickest limb on the Carr coaching tree -- Brady Hoke.