Thursday October 04, 2007

Special Day; Spiller Time; 5 Storylines

A Special Day
I know Clemson made a video where President Barker asks us to play nice. I have seen the billboards asking Clemson fans to remember sportsmanship is important. But this weekend brings a different feeling.

April 16, 2007 is a day we will never forget as the Blacksburg, VA campus witnessed an act that shocked our country. And this weekend Tiger fans will once again be very respectful to the visitors from Virginia Tech. The university and athletic administration will bend over backwards for the Hokies this weekend but the internet rumor that started earlier this week is not true. Virginia Tech is not going to run down the hill.

I never would have believed Gamecocks and Tigers would have been forced to shake hands before a football game like they did in 2005 but the hill is a little more sacred. Despite the rumors, it will not happen nor should it. I still think about the Tech family and many of us have prayed numerous times for them. I don’t mind the armbands the ACC teams are wearing and I think many schools have been very respectful to the Hokies. But the hill is different.

In fact Tech should not even want to run down the hill. If for some reason tragedy struck Clemson, I would not want to use Tech’s lunch pail. I would not want to run out to “2001” in Columbia either. FSU should not let an opponent’s mascot ride on Renegade instead of Chief Osceola. Some things are not up for negotiations as a sign of sportsmanship. So be respectful but remember there is a huge game on hand as well.

Saturday is also a special day because it is Military Appreciation Day. This is the athletic department’s (more specifically Jon Seketa’s) annual show of support to our country’s finest. This year the ceremonies will focus on the families of deployed military personnel.

I have seen other schools and other professional teams honor our military and many more have decided to do so since September 11, 2001. However, I have never seen a school or program do it quite like Clemson. Seketa and the Clemson Corps start planning for this day a year in advance. In fact, I talked to Seketa last night and he has already firmed up most of the plans for Military Appreciation Day 2008. We are lucky to have Seketa and his dedication to the countless hours of panning this wonderful event.

Clemson is very proud of her military heritage and we should be. We should not have to be reminded to appreciate the military but it sure helps when we get the privilege of participating is this fantastic event each year.

Is C.J. Spiller Broken?
The last half of the 2006 season saw C.J. Spiller burst upon the college football scene. Saturday will mark the end of the first half of the 2007 season and Spiller has been not been anywhere near as productive.

As a freshman Spiller averaged 7.3 yards per carry but this year it dropped to 3.6. A year ago the Florida native rushed for 10 touchdowns but has rushed for just one score this season. Last season he had five 100-yard rushing games but has managed just one this year.

Why has Spiller not been the “Lightning” we saw last year?

Like last week’s offense, I think there is enough blame to go around. Spiller has not had as many touches this season. For some reason he has not touched the ball as much as last year and he is the kind of back that might need more opportunities.

Also the offensive line lost several key veterans and the holes have not been there as much this season.

A third reason is the focus of the offense. Clemson’s offensive staff set out to prove that Cullen Harper was a weapon as a passer and Spiller was not the focus of the offense.

And finally, Spiller himself has not as good as he was last season. Several times we have seen him miss a hole or not read a block correctly. Several times we have seen Spiller run too much East-West and not enough North-South.

So can Spiller regain his form? Absolutely.

A look back to last season tells us that Spiller did not have his first 100-yard game until the fifth game of the season so maybe he is a slow starter. He is too talented to be held down as long as he has been this season.

Last season Virginia Tech held Spiller to 41 yards rushing so he owes the Hokies a big effort but I am not sure this is the week for him to breakout. In my opinion Spiller need to be involved in different ways. He is not a natural kick returner but he is dangerous as a receiver out of the backfield despite the dropped ball last week. I would think Clemson will continue to try to find ways to get Spiller the ball in space where he is at his best.

Human performance is hard to predict but the past is one of the few ways to best predict the future so I will put my money on Spiller regaining his form and coming back stronger than ever.

Five Storylines
*Speaking of regaining productivity, I think Mark Buchholz will come back strong and win a game for Clemson before the end of this season. I personally can’t wait to cheer for Buchholz after his next field goal.

*Mike O’Cain makes a return trip to Clemson this weekend. I always respected the former Clemson player and coach. O’Cain is a high character coach that is well respected in the industry.

*The Tigers may shuffle the offensive line more this week as Thomas Austin has been getting more reps at center.

*Ironic that the special teams issue comes up the week before Clemson faces the most respected special teams coach in college football history.

*This is a huge recruiting weekend for the Tigers. Clemson had in a ton of prospects for the FSU game but they have not had a big recruiting weekend since. This week will be another opportunity to impress some of the finest prospects in the South.

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