UT QB, Jonathan Crompton, shown during a recent mugging above, was held out of practice yesterday due to a sore ankle. This should add another element of interest to the Vols message boards, which are known more for misspelled death threats against players, coaches, and opposing fans, because there exists after 2 games a large contingent of fans of the coon-skin hat variety who are calling for the backup. Urban’s Gators won’t expect a change from UT’s gameplan, which has remained stagnant for the last 10 years.
UT defenders have gone on record as saying they want to “hit Tebow every chance they get.” Naturally, SNL is shocked that opposing defenders have any interest in hitting our quarerback-irrespective, this news must fall into that “careful waht you wish for” category that grandma is always spouting off about between mint julips.
Vols players have responded to Spikes calling them out as quitters, though not as agressively as they would have in years past-you know, when they were good. Check out the stories at http://www.govolsxtra.com/ .
Finally, the oddsmakers have installed UF as an 8-point favorite. UF may well pull this one off, but a free touchdown to the home team is way too much to lay.
ELSEWHERE…..
Orlando Sentinel columnist, Mike Bianchi, inked this quote from FSU’s new starting QB, Christian Ponder:
“You know what, I’m not guaranteeing anything. But I think with how prepared we’re going to be and how focused we’re going to be — we’re going to be fighting hard and I think it’s going to be tough for us to lose.”
Bianchi goes on to point out that this game is the most important game FSU has played since 2005, when the underdog ‘Noles managed to beat VT in the ACC title game. To some extent, SNL shares Bianchi’s sentiment. However, it is difficult to determine whether this sentiment stems from the fact that the aftermath of the “slaughtering of the lambs” resuscitates the illogical belief that FSU has morphed into the football power it once was.
Difficult to accept though it may be, the fact is that right now, Wake Forest is a better program than FSU. Thus, while the unfettered euphoria of FSU’s new QB is admirable, especially given the “vegetable lasagna” that FSU has been serving at this position for the last 6 years or so, it is misplaced. FSU needs to understand that no matter what the oddsmakers say (which is that FSU is a 5.5 point favorite), they are the underdogs adn subject to different rules than those applied during the height of their dynasty. Which means, keep your mouth shut, play hard, and let the chips fall where they may.
Going back to Bianchi’s point about this being the most important game since 2005-it is. Period. This FSU team has been underperforming expectations for the better part of the 21st century, and like other former heavyweights such as Tennessee, Notre Dame, Alabama, and others of their ilk, they are in desperate need of a signature win to reinvent themselves, and reinvigorate their fans. That said there is no reason to add to those pressures with any “guarantees” from your QB, who has led you to two victories over bowl subdivision teams to date.
-So Sayeth the Shepherd
