LAKE BUENA VISTA - Winning the Heisman Trophy has not vastly changed UF quarterback Tim Tebow's lifestyle off the field, save a few more autograph and interview requests.
Everyone will find out how, if at all, it affects his play on the field when No. 9 UF (9-3) and Michigan (8-4) meet in the Capital One Bowl on Tuesday.
Tebow sought advice from his childhood role model, former Gators quarterback and 1996 Heisman-winner Danny Wuerffel, on how to handle the post-Heisman hype.
BYou don?t change, plain and simple,C Tebow said. BYou do everything you did before you won it. Maybe other people?s perception is different about you, but your perception about you and how you do things isn?t different at all.C
That theory worked pretty well for Wuerffel.
He took home MVP honors as UF downed Florida State 52-20 for the national title in the 1997 Sugar Bowl.
But many other Heisman winners have not fared well in their bowl games, hence the jinx.
Just last year, Ohio State?s Troy Smith had more sacks (five) than completions (four) with just 35 passing yards as he was suffocated by the Gators? defense in the BCS Championship Game.
Since 2000, players who won the Heisman in December have gone 2-5 in bowl games the following January.
UF coach Urban Meyer believes there?s a reason for the trend.
BHuman nature takes over,C he said. BThey won the award, so why grind like everybody else? Maybe the lucky thing is Tim?s only a sophomore. A senior that wins the Heisman, I worry about that.C
Tebow missed some practice time due to the Heisman ceremony earlier this month, but he has not turned lazy.
That?s just not in his nature.
Meyer said Tebow looked like Tom Brady during a two-minute drill in the team?s first practice at Disney?s Wide World of Sports last week.
His teammates are equally impressed.
BI took my hat off to him,C wide receiver Percy Harvin said. BHe has been handling it very well. He?s out here running around just like he never won nothing.C
Watch out, Michigan.
Outgoing coach Lloyd Carr has plenty of experience facing stars like Vince Young, Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush and Smith in recent years.
He doesn?t expect Tebow to let up at all.
Carr admits Tebow will inflict damage on the Wolverines defense, but he wants to limit the number of big plays.
"It gets worse every time I watch him,C Carr said. BI think he got bigger and stronger as the year went on. There are some things he does you just cannot control, you know going in.C
Minor things for Tebow have changed since the Heisman.
UF?s athletic department recently issued a release saying Tebow will no longer sign autographs, though he sometimes caves in for kids.
The growing attention forced offensive coordinator Dan Mullen to come up with a security plan for Tebow during bowl week.
But, some things have stayed the same.
Wide receiver Andre Caldwell constantly asked Tebow during the regular season to strike the Heisman pose.
Tebow always declined.
Caldwell brought it up again on Friday.
He got the same answer, perhaps proof that Tebow remains unfazed by the Heisman effect.
BI told him to do it when we get in the end zone against Michigan,C Caldwell said. BBut he tells me to do it. But I ain?t won it, so I won?t do it.C
