The O'Brien Selection Committee, made up of a nationwide panel of sportswriters, commentators and former O'Brien Award winners, will vote later this month to narrow the field again.

The three finalists will be announced Nov. 21 by the National College Football Awards Association in a joint effort among college football award programs.

The 18 semifinalists, in alphabetical order, are:

Erik Ainge, Tennessee, Jr., SEC;

John Beck, BYU, Sr., MWC;

John David Booty, USC, Jr., PAC-10;

Colt Brennan, Hawaii, Jr., WAC;

Brian Brohm, Louisville, Jr., Big East;

Chad Henne, Michigan, Jr., Big Ten;

Kevin Kolb, Houston, Sr., C-USA;

Chris Leak, Florida, Sr., SEC;

Nate Longshore, California, So., PAC-10;

Colt McCoy, Texas, Fr., Big 12;

Tyler Palko, Pittsburgh, Sr., Big East;

Brady Quinn, Notre Dame, Sr., Ind.;

Bobby Reid, Oklahoma State, So., Big 12;

JaMarcus Russell, LSU, Jr., SEC;

Troy Smith, Ohio State, Sr.,

Big Ten; John Stocco, Wisconsin, Sr., Big Ten;

Pat White, West Virginia, So., Big East;