Can Gabe Marks capture the Biletnikoff Award?

WSU’s success in the passing game has put the spotlight on a couple junior wide receivers. The Biletnikoff Award, which goes to the nation’s top wide receiver, added another Cougar to the list on Wednesday. Gabe Marks was just added to the list, joining River Cracraft who has been there since the pre-season. The Cougars are the only school in the Pac-12 with two players on the list.

Marks has emerged as Luke Falk’s go-to guy coming off a redshirt season. He leads the Pac-12 with 43 receptions and ranks second in the conference in yardage with 525. Many of the catches have been of the truly spectacular variety. Even when the team has performed poorly, Marks has always brought his A-game.

Cracraft is having a solid, if not spectacular year, with 29 catches for 355 yards and a couple of touchdowns. Marks is clearly WSU’s best shot at the award of the two. The leader in the clubhouse so far appears to be TCU’s Aaron Doctson. Marks is currently fourth in the country in receptions and is on pace for 105 catches, 1260 yards and 13 touchdowns. Spectacular numbers to be sure, but remember that Vince Mayle put up huge numbers last year and couldn’t crack the finalists. Of course if the Cougars win more games, maybe a bigger spotlight will shine on Marks and boost his chances.

The ten semi-finalists for the award will be announced on November 15^th. Cougar fans can do their part for Marks and Cracraft by voting once a day at the website biletnikoff.com, which counts as part of the process. Vote early and vote often!

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