Baylor's Griffin early leader for Big 12 Freshman of the Year

by Beergut on Sep 13, 2008 12:55 AM CDT Comment 6 comments

Baylor's true freshman QB, Robert Griffin, just finished leading the Bears to a blowout win over Washington State. Yes, Washington State is one of the worst, if not THE worst, teams in the country, but it wasn't too long ago that Baylor would have lost this game. Remember the Steele years?

A big reason for their victory was Griffin and his school record-setting 217 yds rushing. Griffin was 7/15 passing for 127 yds, and 1 TD. His 217 yds rushing came on 11 carries, giving him a 19.7 yds per carry, average, a Big 12 record. 426 of Baylor's 555 yds of total offense were on the ground. When you rush for 426 yds in the game, you don't need to pass the ball. I can't even remember the last time Baylor won a game against a BCS team in a blowout, much less scored over 40 points in back-to-back wins (51-6 over NW La. St, 45-17 over Washington State).

Griffin has given Baylor an electric weapon at QB, a dual-threat who gives Baylor fans a reason to come see the Bears play. It remains to be seen how he will do in conference play, but right now, he is the odds-on favorite to win Big 12 Freshman of the Year, along with other all-conference considerations.

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why just freshman?

it is my belief that the player of the year should go to the best player, regardless of class. without a doubt griffin is the best player on the entire baylor roster. no single player, as of right now, in the big 12 means more to his team than griffin. lets not put him in the “freshman box” just yet

by wishiwasalonghorn on Sep 13, 2008 1:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

also

i think that recruiting coaches from all the major big 12 schools should be shot for letting him slip under the radar

by wishiwasalonghorn on Sep 13, 2008 1:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

you have to remember how the media and coaches think

They basically anoint the candidates for Conferece Offensive Player of the Year in the pre-season, and don’t delineate much from that after the season is over. Yes, Griffin is the MVP of his team so far, but statistically, he isn’t touching Missouri’s Chase Daniel, who as of right now looks like he will win Offensive POTY going away.

Griffin will most likely win Big 12 FOTY, which will anoint him for future all-conference and POTY consideration.

I Am The 12th Man.com

by Beergut on Sep 14, 2008 2:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

how many stars did rivals give him?

I think every fan of every other Big 12 team besides BU will be wondering why their coaches did not offer Griffin a scholarship. I do not understand how a kid who is an All American in the 400 hurdles can play and entire season of football for a 4A team that went deep into the playoffs and not attract the attention from the big schools. I think rivals had him as a 2 star athlete. Just another example of how little they know.

38-30

by miketag on Sep 14, 2008 3:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

playing the stat game?

i agree with the notion that the awards are usually predetermined…..however, i dont think you can use Daniel’s stats as merit for awarding him player of the year….if stats were the only measuring stick, the qb of tech would win every year

by wishiwasalonghorn on Sep 14, 2008 5:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

oh, it's more than just stats

Daniel is the leader for that offense, and by extension, the whole Missouri team. He means just as much to Missouri as Griffin does to Baylor, and those intangible leadership skills will win him POTY. The media loves that kind of stuff.

It’s in the Big 12 bylaws that no one from Tech can win conference POTY. Look it up.

I Am The 12th Man.com

by Beergut on Sep 14, 2008 7:32 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs