Few things awe people more than the act of speed. I sit here writing this while the Daytona 500 plays out on my television screen, cars ripping across asphalt at nearly 200 miles an hour. The main event at the Olympic games is the 100 meter dash. In college football, our fastest players have quite often been amongst the most celebrated.
Reggie Bush and Adrian Peterson came along and spent three seasons simply running right by defenders. They gave way to Ted Ginn who capped his career with a kick return touchdown that was Ohio State's lone highlight in January's BCS Championship Game.
But now that those guys are gone, who is left to fill the void as captivating speedster?
For players already on college rosters, Clemson has two of the zoom zoomiest around in receiver/returner Jacoby Ford and tailback CJ Spiller, both sophomores. There are other players out there yet to make their mark and we'll be on the lookout for them. One such burner is Jamere Holland, a redshirt freshman receiver at USC who clocked somewhere in the 10.3 range in the 100 meters in high school.
Florida sophomore receiver Percy Harvin is also a superb choice, weaving expertly through defenses any time he so much as has a step on a defender. West Virginia junior tailback Steve Slaton has excellent speed and is a worthy candidate. Junior Arkansas tailback and Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren McFadden is an obvious selection here. Finally, there is junior Texas tailback Jamaal Charles who ran somewhere in the 10.2 range in high school and owns several long touchdown runs to his name.
Among incoming recruits, many people have made comparisons between Louisiana's Joe McKnight (a USC signee) and Reggie Bush, but McKnight is probably a step slower with a personal best of 10.71. There are some reports of him having clocked a 10.4, but I have yet to find anything legitimate and official backing that up. He's definitely a playmaker but I'm not sure he's quite in that class of guy who simply runs right by college defenders as Peterson and Bush and Ginn were able to do.
My nominee among this year's incoming freshmen to fill the speed vacuum would be tailback Jahvid Best, a 10.41 runner who has signed with California.
Noble reader: now that you've seen my list, I ask you now who else should be under consideration as an impact player with awe-inspiring speed? Feel free to leave a comment below.
Signing Day came and went almost a week ago but recruiting is still a hot topic in college football. The FanHouse has been all over the issue this week. As always, USC leads the headlines with Joe McKnight's communications with Reggie Bush and the limo sent to a recruit. Both are obscure no-no's. But there's also a storm brewing at Clemson between the divergent missions of the university and the football team. And then this morning came news of Urban Meyer's near-violation of yet another obscure rule.
In the years I've followed recruiting I don't recall this much carryover of issues a week after signing day. Perhaps this is because of the rise of the recruiting websites, perhaps it's because of the game's tremendous popularity right now. Perhaps a million other things but this may be the proverbial bubbling before cauldron's lid bursts off.
And perhaps it's because a Midwestern school with great pull managed to register their complaints against lowly Illinois and its big recruiting class all the way into the pages of the New York Times.
Look no further than Brian's entry today about NCAA President Myles Brand forming a committee to review recruiting practices to see that things are definitely heating up.
As for remedies, Brian suggests getting rid of the idea of singing day. Eh. I'd rather they just simplify and reduce the rules and ask that the NCAA spend the necessary dollars to credibly enforce them. Of course the NCAA has earned the reputation of a bad lover over the years, all take and no give so my suggestion is probably pie in the sky but you never know.
Rumors are beginning to surface on internet message boards that Will Proctor must have an injured throwing shoulder. I mean, how else could one explain is dismal performance in the last three ACC games?
Proctor has completed a whopping 40.9 percent of his passes in the last two contests. His game against Virginia Tech was filled with overthrows, underthrows, bad reads, and a horrific interception. There are even comments from teammates that Proctor has a tendency to float the ball up too much.
Must be a sore shoulder, right?
Probably not.
Tommy Bowden chaulks up Proctor's poor performance of late to inexperience. Will may be a senior, but he saw only limited action prior to this season:
"The mental images that Charlie (Whitehurst) put in as a freshman, sophomore and junior aren't in his head. They're happening for the first time this year ... they all play different coverages and schemes, and you've got to put them in your head. They lock and load once you get them in there, but his is empty as far as game-type experience. I think the mistakes he's making are pretty common for a first-year player."
Of course, you can't blame Tiger fans for worrying. Many still believe that Bowden and company concealed the extent of former Clemson quarterback Charlie Whitehurst's shoulder injury last season--playing him against Georgia Tech when he should have been benched.
Luckily the Tigers final three games are at home and against teams that are less than stellar against the running game.
In just under two hours the Tigers will take on the Hokies from Virginia Tech (5-2, 2-2) in what has become a "must win" game for both teams. Clemson (7-1, 4-1) must win to keep BCS bowl appearance and ACC Title hopes alive while Virginia Tech must win if they have any intention of backing their way into the top spot in the ACC Coastal Division.
So what do the Tigers have to do tonight to ensure victory over the Hokies?
1. Run, baby, run! I said it last week, and I'll say it again this week. The Tigers must run the ball effectively if they expect to win. Virginia Tech is 22nd in the nation at stopping the run allowing just under 100 yards-per-game. Of course, Georgia Tech was in the Top 10 in rushing defenses last week before the Tigers hit them up for 300+ on the ground--they're now 32nd. James Davis and C.J. Spiller came to Clemson to run the ball. I say we give it to them and drop Va Tech from the Top 30 in rushing defenses. Run. Run. Run.
C.J. Spiller amassed 116 yards rushing Saturday against Georgia Tech. He also added 50 receiving yards with this amazing play:
C.J. is Clemson's second leading rusher, playing second fiddle to sophomore phenom James Davis. But Spiller has brought to Clemson the potential for a spectacular play with any given touch of the ball--just see above for proof.
If I'm looking for a ball control--take charge of the game on the ground and bust you in the mouth kind of player, I'm looking at James Davis. He's proven to me that he can carry the team for an entire game. But if I'm searching for that one play to break a game open, I'm looking in Spiller's direction. He has All-American speed combined with All-American moves.
And how about that purple? Looks good ... looks real good ...
The 12th-ranked Tigers take on the 13th-ranked Yellow Jackets from Georgia Tech this weekend in what is clearly the biggest game for Clemson this year--so far.
Tech comes in at 5-1 with their lone loss to Notre Dame, while the Tigers enter the contest 6-1, a loss to BC the only blemish. Saturday may, in fact, be a preview of the ACC Championship--assuming things go Clemson's way the rest of the season.
So how will Clemson beat Georgia Tech this Saturday?
1. Contain Reggie Ball. I know what you're thinking ... why not stop Calvin Johnson? Well, someone has to throw Johnson the ball. I figure, if you keep the quarterback flustered and running and scared you can keep the ball out of CJ's hands. Reggie Ball has had an uncanny ability to make stupid mistakes in his career. He's an interception machine and is completing just north of 50% of his passes this season--most of them to Johnson. If Gaines Adams and company can keep the short Reggie Ball hemmed in with no throwing lanes, look for Reggie to screw up. Calvin Johnson can't outscore Clemson on his own--he needs someone to throw to him. Stop the throwing and you stop the Tech offense. Now, isn't that simple?
2. Run Baby Run! Let's see, James Davis is leading the ACC in rushing yards per game as well as touchdowns. You think we should give him the ball? Yeah, I'd say so. I recognize that Tech has played well against the run this year, but they haven't played anyone with as much talent as this group of running backs. Run early. Run often. And keep running until the Jacket defense is bent over at the waist panting and trying to recover from the constant punishment. And then run some more. 175 yards rushing--and it'll be hard to bet against the Tigers. If it's 200 yards rushing--I'm guaranteeing a win.
3. Um, well, so, ya know, um ... DEFEND THE KICK RETURN. I think at this point I need to make this one a permanent "key". If Clemson can keep the Tech returners from pretending to be All-American's this week, then perhaps the Tigers can maintain some semblance of field position control. Kick the darn ball in the end zone. Please. Pretty please.
So there ya go, three simple things Clemson needs to do to beat Georgia Tech this weekend. It's not a complicated philosophy--the Tigers just have to execute.
What I will do is point out that the next two Clemson games are scheduled to kickoff at night.
Aside from the bright lights of an evening game, James Davis has other motivation to shine against Georgia Tech this Saturday. Davis is from Atlanta, and he wants to show the guys back home what he couldn't show them last year against Tech due to a wrist injury.
And he's clearly motivated:
"Like I told my teammates, I'm not going to eat this week. I'm going to wait until Saturday to eat.
The lights will be on in Death Valley this Saturday, and the menu is set. We'll just have to wait and see if Mr. Davis's appetite is big enough to take down the Yellow Jackets.
Tremaine has since recovered from his injury and he could likely play against Georgia Tech this weekend. But Billie has missed over half of the regular season, and sees next year as his best bet to impress NFL scouts.
Tiger fans should be pleased with this decision. Tommy Bowden also felt as if this was the best course of action for the superb Clemson defender, and I'm glad that Billie took Coach's advice.
The short term effects of his loss have already been felt as the Clemson defense have been dealing with this for seven games. He will continue to be missed on the defensive side of the ball, but I'd be hard pressed to encourage him to return this season. He has too much to personally gain by staying out, and the Tigers are doing quite well in his absence.
Temple scored early--a field goal in the opening minutes to go on top 3-0.
That was followed by nine Clemson touchdowns.
The game was over by the end of the first quarter, and the only other points Temple could muster came late in the fourth. I told you Clemson would cover.
The Tiger victory is their sixth on the season, and their fourth game scoring half-a-hundred or more.
James Davis led the Tiger rushing attack with 138 yards on just nine carries including three touchdowns. Freshman C.J. Spiller added two touchdowns of his own on the ground. And for the second time this season, Demerick Chancellor crossed the century mark on the ground.
Proctor was impressive as well hitting on eight of nine passes including a touchdown toss to Jacoby Ford.
The game was merely a practice session for Clemson as the next four games are all ACC foes and all vital to the Tigers' chances of playing for an ACC title. The victory was impressive on both sides of the ball, and I'll refrain from commenting on special teams at this point until I calm down from my anger over kick coverage.
Up next, Georgia Tech. Now things get interesting.
Signing Day came and went almost a week ago but recruiting is still a hot topic in college football. The FanHouse has been all 
Rumors are beginning to surface on internet message boards that Will Proctor must have an injured throwing shoulder. I mean, how else could one explain is dismal performance in the last three ACC games?
In just under two hours the 
There's an injury epidemic in Clemson this season, and its next victim is senior guard Roman Fry.
James Davis must prefer darkness to daylight. 
Temple scored early--a field goal in the opening minutes to go on top 3-0.
