Kids Say The Darndest Things

Rumors floating that Florida quarterback Tim Tebow is playing hurt apparently made their way to Baton Rouge.
LSU defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois was quoted as saying, "If we get a good shot on [Tebow], we're going to try our best to take him out of the game,. With his size and his heart, it's hard to get a clean shot. I think every lineman wants to get a good hit on a Heisman Trophy winner."
The comments surely made their way straight to the bulletin board in the Gators' locker room. Just a little extra spice for a game that hardly needs it, Florida and LSU being the past two national champs.
Usually, college players popping off have no ramification. Still, let's see if a Gator slips in a chop block Saturday on an unsuspecting Jean-Francois. Whatever happens, Ricky, c'est la vie!

Auburn players: Whassup With The Offense?

The second-guessing in Auburn land of offensive coordinator Tony Franklin has extended to some of the players.
"Your guess is as good as mine," Ben Tate said after Franklin all but abandoned the tailback's effective carries early against Vanderbilt and resorted to his cherished spread offense.
"We got our confidence going and, all of a sudden, go completely away from it," center Ryan Pugh said.
There is no questioning the validity of the spread, and Franklin is a pioneer of sorts. With two league losses, Auburn could justify focusing entirely on the spread for the rest of the season in preparation for '09.
Still, the Tigers blew a chance to remain in the SEC West chase by not sticking with the standard running attack it employed to go ahead of Vandy 13-0 before falling 14-13.
If you were in Franklin's shoes, what would you do?

What We Learned, No. 1: Vandy Is A Dandy

   A few years back, these eyes watched in Athens as undermanned Vanderbilt ambushed Georgia with a clever game plan from coach Bobby Johnson. Dude can coach, as evidenced by the Commodores' 5-0 record and, more significantly, 3-0 standing in the SEC.

   No, Vandy isn't the nation's 13th best team, as the AP poll would have you believe. The Commodores, after all, have trailed in every game.

  But they deserve to be rated. Besides, who can blame the voter who bumps them up a notch or two on his ballot because they are the feel-good story of the season? This is the school that folded its athletics department into the university administration (in part so it couldn't get away with stuff, as football heavyweights are wont to do.)

   Where is Vandy on your ballot?

   Johnson has even figured out how to juggle two quarterbacks, Chris Nickson and Auburn-beater Mackenzi Adams.

   Go ahead and ship that Coach of the Year Trophy to Nashville. 

   Who, at this stage of the season, can beat him out?  

What We Learned, No. 2: 'Bama Needs The Bye

   Alabama remains No. 2 in the AP ranking, 23 slots higher than it started this season. Sorry, Crimson Tide nation, but Texas should have leapfrogged you.

   The Tide looked shaky against Kentucky, unable to put away a visitor with a butter-fingered quarterback in his first road game. They stagger into an off week, a welcome respite for a young team with little depth.

   I'm gonna retract a bit of my recent huzzahs for John Parker Wilson, who seemed less in control than in previous games.

   Where would you rank the Tide?

   Speaking of the polls, LSU's bye week cost it a spot as the Tigers dipped to No. 4. With Vandy climbing six positions, your SEC can claim five of the top 13 -- and, counting Auburn, six of the top 20. 

   How would you compare the SEC with the other power league, the Big 12?

What We Learned, No. 3: Auburn's Spread Mighty Thin

   Auburn threw a surprise at Vanderbilt, operating in a standard offense during the first quarter. The Tigers scored twice and were stopped at the goal line on their other possession.

   So what does coordinator Tony Franklin do? He reverts to his beloved spread attack. Auburn fails to score the rest of the way.

   Yes, surely the Commodores made adjustments. And surely Franklin figured that, with a comfy lead, he could work on the offense dear to his heart.

   But the results speak loud and clear. Auburn's power running attack was groovin' early. The Tigers should have stayed with it, or at least mixed it in with the spread.

   What should Auburn have done? Stick with what brung 'em a lead? Or commit to improving the spread?

    

What We Learned, No. 4: Something Amiss In The Swamp

   Yes, Florida gutted Arkansas 38-7, but the Gators figured to put the Razor-hacks away sooner than the fourth quarter after their debacle a week earlier against Ole Miss.

   Tim Tebow, suffering from Heisman hangover, was so subdued late in the game that coach Urban Meyer coaxed him into a mid-air chest bump. Amazing to say that a quarterback guilty of one pick all season has declined, but it's true for Tebow.

   Do you see the same thing I'm seeing with Florida?

   Next up: LSU, which kicked back over the weekend and watched things unfold in its favor (a s0-so Florida, a so-so Alabama, a so-long to Auburn). I don't the Reptiles' chances against the Tigers.

   What's your take on the game?