Award talk

Yes, award talk. Iowa is still 5-3. Anything can happen. I know that's a tough sell, but it's true.

From Iowa sports info:

MCNUTT, JR., IS FINALIST FOR AWARD

IOWA CITY, Iowa - - University of Iowa senior wide receiver Marvin McNutt, Jr., is a finalist for the FRS Receiving Performance of the Year for his play in Iowa's 45-24 win over Indiana on Oct. 22.

McNutt won the fan voting during the week following Iowa's win over the Hoosiers. The St. Louis, Mo., native had six receptions for 184 yards against Indiana, recording touchdown receptions of 80, 24 and 29 yards. The 80-yard reception in the first period was career touchdown reception No. 22 for McNutt breaking the Iowa career record. McNutt now has 25 career touchdown receptions.

All-Star Performances of the Year is a four-month competition that lets fans determine which individual performances reign supreme during the 2011 college football season. Each top weekly vote-getter proceeds to the finals, which runs Jan. 16-22, and the winners will be revealed during the All-Star Football Challenge special airing at 6 p.m. (CT) Feb. 3 on ESPN2. Fans can vote Jan. 16-22 at www.Facebook.com/AllStarFootball.

McNutt leads Iowa receivers through eight games with 48 receptions for 858 yards and nine touchdowns. He is two scoring receptions shy of Iowa's single season touchdown record. His career totals include 136 receptions for 2,404 yards. McNutt ranks seventh in career receptions and second in career yards. He is tied for 14th in career scoring (150 points). McNutt needs just 208 yards to tie the career yardage record of 2,616.

The Hawkeyes entertain 13th-ranked Michigan this weekend at Kinnick Stadium (11:01 a.m., ESPN).

McNutt also is No. 11 on this week's Biletnikoff list:

RK PLAYER TEAM REC YDS AVG LONG TD

1 Ryan Broyles, WR

OKLA 81 1070 13.2 64 10

2 Patrick Edwards, WR

HOU 51 1069 21.0 70 11

3 Jordan White, WR

WMU 83 1045 12.6 61 9

4 A.J. Jenkins, WR

ILL 68 1030 15.1 77 7

5 Robert Woods, WR

USC 81 991 12.2 82 9

6 Keenan Allen, WR

CAL 67 989 14.8 90 5

7 Sammy Watkins, WR

CLEM 64 978 15.3 65 10

8 Chris Givens, WR

WAKE 52 928 17.8 79 8

9 Marquess Wilson, WR

WSU 52 889 17.1 80 6

10 Kendall Wright, WR

BAY 66 874 13.2 66 9

11 Marvin McNutt, WR

IOWA 48 858 17.9 88 9

P Eric Guthrie makes Ray Guy Award list:

GUTHRIE MAKES RAY GUY WATCH LIST

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of senior punter Eric Guthrie has been named to the Watch list for the 2011 Ray Guy Award. The prestigious honor is given annually, by the Augusta Sports Council, to the nation's top collegiate punter. There are 54 candidates, six from the Big Ten, who were nominated by their school's sports information department.

The list will be narrowed to ten semi-finalists to be announced on November 11. Following the semi-finalists announcement, a national body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) sports information directors, coaches, media representatives, and previous Ray Guy Award winners will vote for the top three finalists, who will be identified on November 21. The voting body will then cast ballots to select the winner.

Guthrie is a 6-6, 245-pounder from Nevada, Iowa. He is averaging 42 yards per punt. He has punted 24 times in eight games, with nine of those kicks winding up inside the 20 yard line. Three of his kicks have been over 50 yards, with a 59-yarder being the best. He ranks fifth among Big Ten punters. He has just one touchback and opponents are averaging only 4.2 yards on six returns. Iowa ranks 12th nationally in net punting.

The presentation of the Ray Guy Award will be featured on The Home Depot College Football Awards live on December 8th at 8 p.m. (CT) on ESPN. Iowa's Ryan Donahue was one of three finalists for the 2010 Ray Guy award.