Really, there is no midseason. How can you have a mid when you play an odd number of games? Answer, math wizards, is you can't.

So if you're looking for a logical break in the college football season, it's after the third week. For the most part, schools are done playing nonconference games and are entering league play. Players have made themselves awards candidates or been eliminated.

Now is the perfect time to look back at our preseason awards list and decide if we need some adjustments:

Coach of the Year

In August, we told you it was Pete Carroll. In late September, nothing has changed. Oh, sure, there are contenders, starting with Mack Brown and Frank Beamer, but Carroll's the man. Maybe for another five years.

Newcomer Coach of the Year

Went with Steve Spurrier before the season. Scratch that one quickly. And skip over No. 4 Dave Wannstedt. The choice now is LSU's Les Miles, who has guided his team through tragedy and pulled off a huge win at Arizona State.

Heisman

Matt Leinart was the obvious choice in August, and he has done absolutely nothing to lose his position. Texas quarterback Vince Young and Southern Cal tailback Reggie Bush remain viable candidates. Ohio State's Ted Ginn Jr. and Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson do not.

Lombardi

Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk kept his position at the top despite the loss to Texas. Greg Eslinger, No. 3 in the preseason, remains a solid choice.

Doak Walker

We went with Bush, who will gain more yards in nonblowouts. Minnesota's Laurence Maroney, Wisconsin's Brian Calhoun and Memphis' DeAngelo Williams are off to great starts. Put them on your short list.

Fred Biletnikoff

Our preseason top three – Ginn, USC's Dwayne Jarrett and Michigan's Steve Breaston – aren't among the nation's top 40 in receptions. Right now, we'd like to change our vote to Oregon State's Mike Hass.

Lou Groza

We were sure it was going to be Eastern Michigan's Andrew Wellock. But he has tried three field goals in three games, meaning we need a new front-runner. How about Oregon's Paul Martinez, who has hit four field goals a game in the Ducks' 3-0 start?

Butkus

We told you Hawk was the favorite. Barring injury, he will win it. He'll see the nation's second-best linebacker, Chad Greenway, today when the Buckeyes host Iowa.

Jim Thorpe

We went with Virginia Tech's Jimmy Williams, who was a semifinalist in 2004. Of course, opposing quarterbacks are avoiding him. We switched to New Mexico's Gabriel Fulbright, who has five picks.

Ray Guy

Baylor's Daniel Sepulveda won in 2004 and is averaging 47.6 yards for the 3-0 Bears. He keeps his spot.

Bob Asmussen covers college football for The News-Gazette. You can reach him at (217) 351-5233 or via e-mail at rasmusse@news-gazette.com.