Spiller getting another Heisman push

CLEMSON -- C.J. Spiller lamented forgetting his Halloween costume when meeting with the media Tuesday.

Asked if he had planned to come as the Heisman Trophy, Spiller chuckled, answering with a negative, horizontal shake of his head.

With a wide-open Heisman race, the buzz surrounding Spiller's chances has increased since his electrifying performance on national television Saturday.

While Spiller did not come campaigning for the award Tuesday, Clemson sports information director Tim Bourret said the athletic department will commence a second publicity push, following the summer's initial campaign.

Clemson will mail material to various media outlets. A Spiller-for-Heisman ad will appear on the front of the athletic department's Web page, accompanied by a highlight video and quote from legendary Miami Herald sports columnist Edwin Pope.

Pope was swayed by Spiller's performance in Miami writing: "you've hardly heard (Spiller's) name mentioned in Heisman Trophy conversations yet. Disgraceful.

"But you will, you will."

Spiller, touted by some as "C.J. Thriller," is changing hearts and minds.

In ESPN's experts Heisman poll, Spiller has moved to seventh, receiving two second-place votes from the 15 voters.

Alabama running back Mark Ingram is in first, followed by Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen and Florida's Tim Tebow.

ESPN's Heather Dinich placed Spiller in her top five, writing "Clemson has to keep winning for it to become a strong possibility. There's no question, though, that Spiller is one of the best players in the country right now. If I had to win with either Mark Ingram or Spiller, I would take Spiller in a heartbeat."

Said receiver Jacoby Ford of the buzz: "It's about time. He has been coming to play every week. I don't see how he is not up there."

Spiller, the reluctant superstar, said he believes he is deserving.

"I have my chances, and at the end of the year, we'll see where we are at," said Spiller, who has produced one play of 60 yards or more in every game this season.

While Spiller might be the best player in the country, Sports Illustrated's Stewart Mandel says it's unlikely Spiller will even become the first Tigers player invited to New York as a finalist.

Three to five players are usually invited to the televised presentation.

To have a chance at the Heisman, Mandel says Spiller must continue his production and Clemson must win out.

"The problem is playing for a team that already has three losses; he won't be playing in any national showcase games unless they make the ACC title game," Mandel said.

Heisman favorites Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy have faltered. Mandel says Spiller's year compares favorably to Reggie Bush's and Desmond Howard's Heisman campaigns through seven games, the mechanics of Heisman voting work against Spiller.

"You'd like to think Heisman voters, in a year no one has truly stood out from the pack, would take time to pore over all candidates," Mandel said. "But in reality, that's not how it works.

"I don't know why in this day and age we have over 800 voters. This is a really old, outdated model. It dates back to a time when no one saw games nationally, and you depended on people in the Midwest to know who was good in that region. … It's the most prestigious award; we should be much more selective about who votes and have some accountability."

Also affecting Spiller is he is on pace for good, but not eye-popping, yardage totals (938 rushing) and (458 receiving) from scrimmage. And opponents might stop kicking to Spiller, who has returned kicks for four of his nine touchdowns.

It's not what Dabo Swinney wants to hear.

Following the Miami game, Clemson's coach said he "hopes the country watched (Spiller) today. People who don't want to put him in the Heisman race -- shame on them."

"He's the best player in college football. Period."

Swinney took an unusual approach of addressing the team Monday night, with Spiller-for-Heisman as a rallying cry.

"It's not just about C.J. winning the Heisman, it's about us being a great football team," Swinney said. "He should be in New York (as a Heisman finalist)."

Spiller might very well be the best player in the country. But that doesn't necessarily equate to the Heisman.

"You need the media to write about you," Mandel said. "You need ESPN to talk about you on Gameday every week.

"With players like (Colt) McCoy receiving exposure, it's a lot to overcome."

Reach Travis Sawchik at tsawchik@postandcourier.com and check out his Clemson blog at www.postandcourier.com/blogs/tiger_tracks.