Tim Tebow vs. Herschel Walker

Lots of chatter on the messages boards in the last couple of weeks about Tim Tebow's eventual breaking of Hershel Walker's all-time SEC leading rushing touchdown mark:

Orlando Sentinal:
Tebow's EyeBlack
TimTEBlog:
Battle Hymn Notes:
Gator Sports: 
Bamaonline:

(may need a login to read the last one)

They are tied at 49 right now so it seems inevitable.  No one (well no one in their right mind anyways) is questioning that Tebow is a great player.  But they do question the legitimacy of this record.  Here are the arguments:

1.  They count stats in Bowl games now, they did not when Walker played
2.  Tebow plays one extra game a year in the regular season - 2 if you count the SEC title game
3.  Tebow played for four years, Walker left after this junior season

My first question is, why do we care anyways?  They are both great players.  And even if Tebow didn't break it, he is still one of the most prolific backs in SEC and even NCAA history.  His rushing numbers alone would qualify as Hall of Fame worthy never mind all of his touchdown passes, Heisman Trophy, and two (maybe three) national titles.

But ok, aside from all of that, lets look at each argument:

1.  They count bowl games now:
Tebow has two rushing touchdowns in bowl games to add to his totals.  Walker had five TDs in bowl games...so his "real" total is maybe 54

2.  Extra game (12 game regular season) and the SEC title game

Ok, Tebow has played in 2 SEC title games:  0 rushing touchdowns
The extra game is a non conference game.  In all non conference games other than FSU (since they always played them every year anyways and thus would not be the "extra" game) Tebow has totaled 9 rushing touchdowns over 11 games.  For averages sake, lets take out 3 rushing touchdowns to account for the extra game.   Using those same avearges, you can say Walker averaged 1.5 TD/Game....so lets give him 3 to account for the extra games.

So now we are at 5 TDs that "shouldn't count" for Tebow OR 5-8 TD's that "should count" for Walker

3.  Tebow played four years, not three

Ok, this is the hardest to talk about.  It is a true statement that Tebow has played a senior season that Walker did not have.

But it is kinda hard to really and truly count Tebow's freshman season in the same way you count Walkers.  Here are their combined rushing stats for their respective freshman seasons:


Player        Attempts       Yards       Touchdowns
Walker      274                1616        15
Tebow      89                     469        8

Both Players had their best statistical seasons of sophomores:

Player       Attempts       Yards       Touchdowns
Walker     385              1891         20
Tebow      210              895          23

It really was the Junior season that set Walker apart

Player       Attempts       Yards       Touchdowns
Walker     335               1752        17
Tebow     176                673          12

Through three seasons, Walker had 49 Tds, (3 of those TDs listed must have been receiving) Tebow 43

Carries Per Touchdown:  Walker 20.29  Tebow:  11.05
Yes, that doesn't take into account that Tebow gets a high percentage of carries in the red zone.  It also doesn't take into account sacks that count of quarterback carries.

As for passing touchdowns:  Walker 0 (that I know of) Tebow 67

Given the way Tebow's freshman season went, as a spot third down full back, I would say that this works out to about even frankly.  Sure, you can take about the five "extra" TDs Tebow had in this time frame with the extra games that didn't count.  But if you are going to do that, you have to take into account that Tebow wasn't the main quarterback in any game of that freshman season.  Yes, he came in on the goal line at times.  But it was a few plays a game and then that was it.

But let's not forget the main point here, TEBOW IS A QUARTERBACK!!!!!  His career will be based on how well he THROWS the ball, not runs with it in the end.  If you can get the most rushing touchdowns in conference history ON THE SIDE, you are secured your spot as one of the greatest of all time without question.

When all is said and done, these players will both end up in the top 10 if not top 5 players in all of college football history.  We are splitting hairs to really care about this, but the fact is people do care, so here we are.