By Brian George
BGeorge@pigskinpodcast.com
Let's continue my rundown of the three greatest players from each team in each of the six BCS conferences, based primarily on the players' accomplishments in college.
Feel free to agree or disagree by sending us an e-mail. We may even use your e-mail and response on an upcoming show! We'll continue this week with part II of the Pac-10.
(Archive: Big Ten I; Big Ten II; ACC I; ACC II; Big XII I; Big XII II; Big East; Pac-10 I)
STANFORD CARDINAL
1. Jim Plunkett (QB): 1970 Heisman Trophy and Maxwell and Walter Camp award winner also won the Chic Harley Award, handed out to college football's best player by the Touchdown Club of Columbus and named after legendary Buckeye Chic Harley. Set three conference records his junior year and several more his senior season. A consensus All-American, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
2. John Elway (QB): 1982 Sammy Baugh Award winner left Stanford with nearly every school and conference record for passing and total offense. Two-time Pac-10 player of the year ('80 and '82) was a consensus All-American and finished second in the Heisman voting in 1982. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
3. Ernie Nevers (FB): All-American back played all 60 minutes of the 1925 Rose Bowl and nearly outgained Notre Dame's famous "Four Horseman" by himself. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951.
UCLA BRUINS
1. Gary Beban (QB): 1967 Heisman Trophy and Maxwell Award winner is the only Bruin ever to capture those honors. The unanimous All-American selection left Westwood with several Bruin passing records and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1988.
2. Troy Aikman (QB): 1988 Davey O'Brien Award winner finished third in the Heisman race and was a consensus first-team All-American. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
3. Kenny Easley (S): Three-time All-American and four-time all-conference performer picked off 19 passes in his career and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1991.
USC TROJANS
1. O.J. Simpson (RB): Finished second in the 1967 Heisman race and won the 1968 Heisman along with the Maxwell and back-to-back Walter Camp Awards in 1967 and '68. Two-time consensus All-American owns the largest margin of victory in a Heisman vote and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983.
2. Marcus Allen (RB): First player in NCAA to rush for 2000-plus yards and led the nation in scoring in 1981 en route to winning the Heisman Trophy, and Maxwell and Walter Camp awards. Also named Pac-10 player of the year. Had his jersey (No. 33) retired at USC and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
3. Matt Leinart (QB): Career record of 37-2 as a starter led the Trojans to at least a share of two national titles. 2004 Heisman Trophy and Walter Camp, Manning and Johnny Unitas awards winner was a Heisman finalist twice more (sixth in '03 and third in '05). USC's all-time leader in career touchdown passes and completion percentage and is second in completions and yardage. His jersey (No. 11) is retired at USC.
WASHINGTON HUSKIES
1. Steve Emtman (DL): 1991 Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy winner also was named the Pac-10's defensive player of the year twice. Two-time All-American and three-time all-conference selection finished fourth in the '91 Heisman race and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
2. George Wilson (HB): First-team All-American led the Huskies to a 28-6 record in his three years and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951.
3. Don Heinrich (QB): Two-time Associated Press All-American led the nation in passing in 1950 and '52 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS
1. Mel Hein (C/LB): One of the first Cougar All-Americans in 1930 intercepted eight passes against Idaho that same year. Hein was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954.
2. Glen Edwards (DT): Along with Hein, was one of the first Cougar All Americans in 1930 led the Cougars to a 25-7 record in his three years. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1975.
3. Ryan Leaf (QB): First-team All-American finished third in the Heisman race his junior year setting a then-Pac 10 record 33 touchdowns. Pac-10 offensive player of the year led the Cougars to their first Rose Bowl appearance in 67 years.









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