FORT LAUDERDALE - Brandon Spikes has stressed all week long that being in South Florida is a "business trip." Luckily for Spikes, he did get a slight reprieve with a great joke on Sunday.
The joke was courtesy of Oklahoma sophomore cornerback Dominique Franks, calling Tim Tebow the nation's fourth best quarterback. Except Franks was serious.
"The three best quarterbacks in the country came from the Big 12," said Franks, referring to Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy and Graham Harrell. "The three best receivers came from the Big 12. The three best tight ends came from the Big 12. … Other conferences don't have what we face."
Franks is one of the few who isn't laughing now. Not to mention UF junior Percy Harvin might have something to say about the Big 12 having the three best receivers.
"That's just crazy to say something like that," Spikes said. "I laughed. I thought it was a joke. You serious? We kind of laughed it off. When you say smart stuff or try to be funny about Tim, he's just going to make you pay."
It wouldn't be the first time Tebow has made an opponent pay for their remarks. When former Florida State linebacker Geno Hayes talked about stopping Tebow, the then-sophomore had one of his best games of the season in a 45-12 thrashing of the Seminoles.
Still, Franks stood by his words when asked to explain his opinion.
"Yup (Tebow is the fourth best)," Franks said. "I think our quarterbacks are better. Just the way they conduct themselves and how they play on the field. Playing against those guys, it's a lot harder to prepare for those guys than it is for Tebow. … It makes it easier to know that he's more of a running style quarterback. He can beat you running, but with him running you've got your linebackers and your safeties coming up. It makes it easier for you to know what type of player a guy really is versus just coming out and playing a passing quarterback every week."
While all other Oklahoma players are staying politically correct and showing Tebow respect, they are confident they can slow down UF's pit bull quarterback.
"He is a big guy, but we've got big guys too," sophomore defensive tackle Gerald McCoy said. "He's a great player, but I think we'll be able to handle him."
When asked about the comments, Tebow said he would use them as motivation, but wouldn't comment much more than that.
Neither did UF coach Urban Meyer.
"If (Franks) really feels that way, every man has his own opinion," Meyer said.
But this man is going to be facing a highly motivated Tebow on Thursday night.
