B(u)y the Coastal numbers

The theory goes that any publicity is good publicity, I believe.

So, why SHOULDN’T Coastal Carolina kick-off and punt to C.J. Spiller?

The most TV exposure the Chanticleers have received this year was their appearance on the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, which is even harder to find than ESPNU. And that appearance didn’t exactly go so hot, as it was Coastal’s beatdown against Liberty.

Sure, their best marketing move would be to trump Clemson in Death Valley. But the odds are almost as great that you or I put on a Heisman-caliber performance this weekend.

I’m not so sure the most opportunistic strategy for Coastal Carolina this weekend wouldn’t be to funnel the ball to Spiller as frequently as possible before the contest gets out of hand. That way you significantly increase your chances for air time on ESPN’s highlights package.

Don’t tell me the reason any FCS team plays this game isn’t for 1) the money, and 2) the exposure.

38.3 – Spiller’s kickoff return average, third in the nation behind Virginia Tech’s Dyrell Roberts (40.8) and Texas’ D.J. Monroe (39.3)

17.1 – Coastal Carolina’s average kickoff return allowed, 12th-best in the FCS ranks

2 – Number of kickoffs, maximum, I’m betting Spiller is on the field for.

1 – kickoff return TD Spiller needs to set the NCAA career record

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Forgot to mention this earlier, but I was really scratching my head Saturday at why Clemson dared run the deception play where RB Andre Ellington hid near the sideline before eventually being overthrown while running uncovered – considering the brouhaha that erupted when both the Tigers and Georgia Tech used deception plays in their meeting, which the ACC later said should have drawn penalties.

ACC director of football officials Doug Rhoads was even in attendance at Miami.

From what I’ve gathered, this play was different from the one Clemson used vs. GT and USC a year ago because no one was substituted or perhaps pretended to be substituted.

Ellington, if I recall correctly, started to line up in the right slot, then ran back across the field toward the sideline. He stopped short, though, as if listening to a coach. Ball was snapped, and he scooted down the sideline.
Clemson hadn’t been told it was illegal this week, so I reckon it’s fair game.

The Tigers won’t need deception this week.

101 – FCS ranking of Coastal Carolina’s scoring offense (16.0 points), out of 118 teams

11 – closest margin of victory Clemson has had in a game against an FCS opponent, en route to a perfect 22-0 record against lower-division programs.

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Methinks I’m the only person who doesn’t seem to think S DeAndre McDaniel would make a decent receiver.

The thought of him playing receiver was playfully bandied about by fans and media types alike early in the season when Clemson’s WRs took passes off the chest like soccer forwards.

And now McDaniel has the chance to play receiver if he wants it – albeit supposedly for just one snap.

Dabo Swinney said he promised Clemson’s defenders that anyone who returned an interception or fumble for a touchdown would be granted a play on offense if they wanted one. And McDaniel had the 23-yard interception return in the fourth quarter at Miami.

McDaniel may have better ball skills than most of Clemson’s wideouts and the rangy athleticism and body type to match.

But he plays largely off instinct, and I’d question whether he could maintain the discipline needed for running precise routes at specific depths. Especially when the Tigers cannot appear to get him to consistently tackle with fundamentals instead of taking a kill shot.

Which is no disrespect to his game. As I speculated on Wednesday’s chat, he’s aligning himself for All-America consideration at a position already featuring two heavyweights, Tennessee’s Eric Barry and SoCal’s Taylor Mays.

5 – INTs that Coastal Carolina QB Jamie Childers, the projected starter in light of Zach MacDowell’s ankle injury, has throw in just 40 attempts this season

6 – MacDowell’s INTs, in 74 attempts