There has been a lot of discussion and controversy over the BCS process. I’m no expert on this, but what if the NCAA was prohibited (via legislative or executive action) from naming a “National Champion” via the BCS process. They could continue the BCS process but no national champion could be crowned. The NCAA could keep the current bowl system and forget about a national champion or they could come up with a legitimate way to crown a national champion, like they do for all other sports (and football in Division 2 and 3).

Where the line is crossed.
On November 14, 2009, during the fourth quarter of the above-mentioned homecoming game verses Furman University, a couple of GSU students brought out two decent-sized posters, one stating “Fire Sam Baker” and the other stating “Bring back the Triple Option”. After holding the signs for several minutes, Baker himself approached the students – saying a few words and walking away. A couple of minutes after that two University Police officers informed the students they had to take their signs away from them.

http://firesambaker.com/

Spiller is 4th in the nation in all purpose yards, has 3 kick returns for TD, and has set records in all purpose yards at Clemson and in the NCAA. I guess those are his Heisman credentials. He is fast and exciting. However, for him to be considered on these credentials alone is the biggest fraud in Heisman history outside of Charles Woodson.

So let’s cut through the hype. What has Spiller actually accomplished? The answer – not much.

Spiller is 46th in the nation in rushing. Some might argue that there were games he didn’t carry the ball that much and was held out. However, look at his numbers for the number of touches he gets. Spiller averages 5.46 yards per carry, 45th in the nation among all RBs. 50 out of his 153 carries, or nearly 1 out of every 3, have been for 1 yard or less. Taking into account all his offensive production (running, receiving), he ranks 20th in the nation with 1218 yards. 15 RBs are above CJ in terms of their offensive production.

Spiller’s two biggest games (and wins) were against Miami and FSU. Miami has shown themselves to be a bit overrated. Spiller’s rushing yards were against FSU were against the 105th ranked rushing defense in the country. And his only other 100 yard game was against TCU in which he required a career high in carries to just get over the 100 yard mark. Not to mention, Clemson’s biggest win came against a team that is no longer ranked in the top 25 (contrast that with a guy like Gerhart’s or Ingram’s performances against top teams). Spiller’s rushing stats are grossly overinflated by 1 or 2 long runs a game. The rest of the time, Spiller is actually a below average back. Check out the numbers through the FSU game:

Middle Tenn – 4 carries, 12 yards 3 ypc
GT – 1 carry for 20 yards and another for 25 yards, other 18 carries for 42 yards 2.33 ypc
BC – long of 13 yards, other 16 carries for 64 yards. decent at 4 ypc
TCU – long of 34 yards, other 24 carries for 78 yards. 3.25 ypc
MD – long of 12 yards, other 17 carries for 60 yards. 3.52 ypc
WF – long of 66 yards, other 8 carries for 40 yards. decent 5 ypc
Miami – long of 48, other 13 carries for 33 yards 2.54 ypc
FSU – long of 45, 21, and 36. Other 19 carries were for 63 yards. 3.32 ypc

Most will argue that CJ is such an exciting player because it is special teams as well. While he has 3 TDs, he is not even the best kick returner in the nation. While he is 4th in all purpose yards, let’s break that down. CJ averages 9.81 yards per play (including rushing, receiving, and returns). That average actually puts him at 50th in the nation. What this tells us is that his total yards are grossly overinflated based on kick and punt returns. And he isn’t even the best in the nation at either of those.

Spiller is hyped as an exciting player who is a threat every time he touches the ball. Yet Clemson is ranked 63rd in the nation in offense. And of there 40 TDs, Spiller has scored 11 of them. Only 7 of those have actually come on offense (rushing or receiving). He might be a threat but his play doesn’t turn into many TDs or much offense for Clemson. Contrast this with a player like Gerhart whose team is 14th in the nation in offense. He has accounted for 19 of Stanford’s 47 TDs and has truly carried this team. The same could be said of Mark Ingram as well. Neither player is flashy like Spiller but these two players, in just runing the ball only, have been more valuable and more productive playing in better conferences against better teams than Spiller. And Spiller’s stats are grossly overinflated and overvalued by one of the easiest yardage stats in football – returns.

I am not a fan of Tebow, Ingram, McCoy, Gerhart, or any of their teams. I just think including Spiller as a candidate is based more on hype rather than substance. This is one of the worst years for Heisman candidates. In any other year, Spiller is not even considered. The push for Spiller is based on hype alone. He is a great kick returner and has speed. However, he is an average RB, doesn’t score much for a mediocre offense, and isn’t even in the top 100 in the nation in receiving yards or receptions. Why is he being included? Gerhart, Ingram, and a host of others are more productive and just as much of a focus of their opponents as Spiller. Vote for those that really do deserve this, not just hype.

Jeremy B
Folsom, CA

Any help and little old Clemson fans would be appreciative. I know Clemson is a dirty word in GA as rarely do the Tigers merit much press in AJC though they are only 2 hours from the Fulton County Line. Plus, long time ago when Clemson could step up more, there was a rivalry between UGA and Clemson. So I get all that.

But this is about justice and honor and not about hyped darlings and E$PcurreNcy. Clausen for Heisman? Tebow? Ingram? Compare the numbers…. check out the Clemson-homer’s blog….http://tigernet.com/blogs/plyler/entry/heisman_candidates_and_balloting

Thanks. I know you offered your take – which we all apprecate – that CJ Spillder deserves to be in the mix at least.

Stuart

Would you please ask the SEC if Urban Meyer will be punished severly for questioning officials a week after Slive came out saying that would not be tolerated anymore. I would appreciate it, I am sure he will just get a fine because he is Urban but it would be nice if the conference started having one set of rules for everyone and also grew a backbone! Thanks I enjoy your commentary.