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Sooners, Gators trade barbs
Florida linebacker calls Big 12 defenses a 'joke,' and OU linebacker says Sooners have motivation.
 
By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Published: 1/6/2009  2:23 AM
Last Modified: 1/6/2009  9:24 AM

MIAMI, Fla. — Dominique Franks took over BCS national championship Media Day without saying a word Monday.

Twenty-four hours after creating a national stir by calling Florida quarterback Tim Tebow "about the fourth-best quarterback in the Big 12," Franks turned down interview requests while sitting near the Dolphin Stadium field. Not to be deterred, the camera- and tape recorder-carrying mob asked everyone else for a reaction.


BCS National Championship Media Day from MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World on Vimeo.

Fortunately for them, nearly everyone else provided one, including outspoken Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes, who called Big 12 defenses "a joke."

Asked if he could be the Big 12's fourth-best quarterback, Tebow laughed and said: "Who knows? Maybe. That might have been a compliment, we'll see."

Pressed further, he said: "You can say whatever you want, that's fine. We still get to go play. I have enough to be motivated about. I think number one is holding that crystal ball (the championship trophy) up."

Oh, and the comment Tebow supposedly made on last month's awards circuit — about looking forward to facing a Big 12 defense — that put some Sooners in a bad mood to begin with?

"I didn't say it like that," he said Monday. "I dream of playing teams like Texas, Oklahoma, but also Penn State, USC. So when I was talking about it, I was talking about it in a way like that, not that we're superior to them."

If Tebow backtracked somewhat, his teammate didn't. Spikes, an All-America middle linebacker, said Saturday that OU's running backs weren't as good as some of the SEC competition Florida has faced. Monday, he criticized Big 12 defenses.

"When I watch SportsCenter, I look at the scores and it's 56-49, just basketball scores," Spikes told reporters at media day. "I feel like it's a joke. Like I said, Ole Miss ran up and down the field on a Big 12 defense (in a 47-34 Cotton Bowl win over Texas Tech). That's just my perception of the Big 12 defenses."

While Franks avoided interviews at media day, one of the more vocal Sooners shared his thoughts on why his teammate spoke out.

"You get tired of people dogging on our defense, like everybody is," linebacker Travis Lewis said when asked about Franks' comments. "We're gonna show up, I guarantee you that. We would like to think that they're going to score zero. We do have the defense, and we're going out to prove it."

Lewis, who also said, "I just think (Franks) got caught up in all this and sort of let something lip," was just getting warmed up.

"I love the fact that people expect us to lay down to these guys and not play any defense," said the freshman who leads the Sooners with 137 tackles. "Look at the Big 12 championship, look at the Texas Tech game... We've got a lot of guys going out there with chips on their shoulders. We do listen to the media. We do read some of the articles. It's great to see that everybody expects us to just go out there and two offenses show up and one defense shows up. I wouldn't have it any other way.

"I think this is the best stage we can play on, to go out there and prove to the nation that Oklahoma does have a defense. And we're a big part of why we're here right now."

One Gator actually showed some sympathy for Franks.

"I think he feels a little disrespected," wide receiver David Nelson said. "Not from us, but maybe from the media and the public opinion that Big 12 defenses are not up to par. I have to agree with him on that point. From what I've seen, their defense is phenomenal, one of the best defenses we've faced all year. I think he has every right to be upset."

Nelson's teammates weren't so willing to forgive and forget.

"He was the Heisman Trophy winner last year. I don't understand," safety Major Wright said. "How could you come out and say things about our quarterback like that?"

"I don't think that was too smart," said wide receiver Louis Murphy. "That's just gonna fuel Tim. I don't see how much more juice he can get, but it's gonna juice him up a lot."

"We just wanna go out there and show it all on the field, talk with our helmets and our pads, basically," linebacker Ryan Stamper said. "I guess we'll show 'em Thursday night who the best quarterback is."




Guerin Emig 581-8355
guerin.emig@tulsaworld.com
By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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35 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!

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Report Comment
Dr. Strangelove, Tulsa (1/6/2009 6:40:13 AM)
Talking smack about a Heisman Trophy winner is a genius move............
Report Comment
texasbill, (1/6/2009 6:45:41 AM)
tim tebow 245 lb of slow.
Report Comment
Bird1, Tulsa (1/6/2009 7:04:45 AM)
Tebow is still big and can pass. I think the Fl "D" is overrated and our "D" is underratted. I think both stats are actually somewhere in the middle. I wish our guys could avoid the media and Hype, but this is the BCS and they're in Miami. As long as they don't get too caught up in the Hype and play their game we should be OK. OSU, TT, Mizzou & Texas did not play their games and it showed. I would love to see us hang a half hundred + 10 on the "Gutters", but I foresee a "Sloberknocker" coming.

Boomer Sooner!
Report Comment
chase, rogers county (1/6/2009 7:31:51 AM)
Show me what you can do on the field,not in the newspaper.
Report Comment
Bird1, Tulsa (1/6/2009 7:57:07 AM)
Amen Chase. OU needs to Walk the Walk now.
Report Comment
SoCal Fan, Broken Arrow (1/6/2009 8:42:02 AM)
I think both schools are overrated. The entire Big 12 has been a joke this Bowl season. The only school that has made me cheer so far was Texas.
Report Comment
SoCal Fan, Broken Arrow (1/6/2009 8:49:48 AM)
Yes, but the PAC10 is 5-0.
Report Comment
Scritchner, Tulsa (1/6/2009 8:50:39 AM)
The sad thing about all this is even after the game is played and the championship has been decided people will still be bickering about who should have played or who should be the champ.

I don't know why people are afraid of a little banter going back and forth. It will make the game that much more exciting. As long as it's done with a certain level of tact and respect.

If either one of these teams rely on the trash talk from the other sideline to get motivated then they've already lost.
Report Comment
Sportsfanatic, Tulsa (1/6/2009 8:51:08 AM)
SoCal Fan, I don't think that a 4-2 record in bowls qualifies the Big 12 as a joke. The only two losses were from TT and OSU, both are known for not having strong defenses and that is what cost them their bowl games.
Report Comment
LADY BLUEBIRD, Whiting (1/6/2009 8:55:49 AM)
Scritchner, Tulsa (1/6/2009 8:50:39 AM)
The sad thing about all this is even after the game is played and the championship has been decided people will still be bickering about who should have played or who should be the champ.

I don't know why people are afraid of a little banter going back and forth. It will make the game that much more exciting. As long as it's done with a certain level of tact and respect.

If either one of these teams rely on the trash talk from the other sideline to get motivated then they've already lost.
---
And what is even worst...next year people won't even care. On with another game!!!

GO BOILERS!!
Report Comment
SoCal Fan, Broken Arrow (1/6/2009 9:01:17 AM)
To sportsfanatic, if you remember, the score of the 2005 Orange Bowl was 55-19, although theoretically the score was 55-10. I dont give OU credit for the final 9 points. USC gave them those points when Pete Carrolls balls were soaked in Gatorade.
Report Comment
Bird1, Tulsa (1/6/2009 9:13:46 AM)
SoCal Fan, in case you haven't looked at the calendar lately, This Is Not 2005.
Report Comment
pat, Kiefer (1/6/2009 10:03:00 AM)
BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!
Report Comment
LW3193, out of town, America (1/6/2009 10:06:24 AM)
Franks sure knows how to dig a hole.

Remember the 4th best may be the one that can kick your butt.

GO BOOMER SOONERS
Report Comment
SoCal Fan, Broken Arrow (1/6/2009 10:10:22 AM)
I liked that game. The Sooners (Players and fans) did the same thing back then. They talked all kinds of trash about Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart, and how the west coast offence was no match for them. And what happened? Please someone tell me, what happened?
Report Comment
SoCal Fan, Broken Arrow (1/6/2009 10:26:46 AM)
Thank you newshoundintulsa. Did you all read that? OWNED them.
Report Comment
SoCal Fan, Broken Arrow (1/6/2009 10:35:57 AM)
That overrated QB won the Heisman. Didn't another overrated QB, who won the Heisman, go to OU? The last time I saw him he was signing autographs at the County fair. Atleast Matt Leinhart is getting paid an NFL salary for sitting on the bench.
Report Comment
SoCal Fan, Broken Arrow (1/6/2009 10:38:33 AM)
That overrated QB won the Heisman. Your overrated, Heisman winning QB is signing autographs at the county fair. At least Matt Leinhart is getting paid an NFL salary for sitting on the bench.
Report Comment
sidster, Tulsa (1/6/2009 10:51:24 AM)
The Big 12 is overrated. Their defense stinks. Now, OU do score alot of points, but look at the defenses they play against. Stevie Wonder can score at least one touchdown in the Big 12. In the SEC, defense is played. Once you get the SEC teams out of conference, then they put up alot of points to. LSU did whatever they wanted to do against Georgia Tech. Ole Miss, 47 points against a Big 12 team that was ranked no.6. By no means I'm putting down the Big 12, but they are not playing like the SEC teams. The Big 12 is still fun to watch. SEC is alot better to watch. I was once told that SEC stood for Super Exciting Conference. If any of you Sooner fans want to see how OU is going to feel, go to the zoo and jump in with the alligators. As you know, when he bite you, it will hurt. That's the same feeling Bradford and company is going to have. Florida will win this game. OU haven't had a secondary since the last time they went to the championship. SEC, SEC, SEC, SEC, SEC, SEC, SEC, SEC, SEC, SEC, SEC, SEC, SEC, SEC, SEC, SEC.
Report Comment
Bullhead, Nicut (1/6/2009 10:51:49 AM)
We'll see. I'm axious to see who ends up on top. BOOMER SOONER! GO! FIGHT! WIN!
Report Comment
Big Harp, Florida (1/6/2009 10:54:02 AM)
newshound I see you changed your address, did you move in with SoCal?

SoCal glad to see you like Sooner Billy's BBQ

We could trade jabs all day, but the truth is USC won the Rose Bowl and now has to campaign against Utah and Texas for the AP Title which we all agree Utah deserves, and OSU lost their bowl game regardless of who was hurt that's part of the game, I'm sure OSU wasn't the only team playing a bowl game this year missing key personal.

So with that said the game that will decide this years BCS Champion will be played between Oklahoma & Florida Thursday Night regardless of who is hurt or gets hurt and regardless of what any other team does or has done in the past, the winner Thursday will be Crowned BCS National Champs.

See you guys Friday, right now I need to go clean the graffiti off the side of my garage. Thanks to the classless Gator Fans

BOOMER SOONER!!!!
Report Comment
SoCal Fan, Broken Arrow (1/6/2009 11:58:10 AM)
You're right; I'll see you all Friday. Right now, I have to go Toilet Paper Es house and spray graffiti on his garage.
Report Comment
Ignatz, Broken Bow (1/6/2009 12:03:53 PM)
The Baylor QB is pretty good, too.
Report Comment
SoCal Fan, Broken Arrow (1/6/2009 12:07:16 PM)
AllSeeingI, Everywhere (1/6/2009 12:03:38 PM)
SoSo Cal fan, hows the rehab going for those Trojan Cheerleaders?

Fine thank you.
Report Comment
Ignatz, Broken Bow (1/6/2009 12:10:05 PM)
Begs the question...which Big 12 ( or Conf. USA) teams could Tebow start at any position other than fullback inside the 5 yard line?
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