Tennessee/Florida Fireworks
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| Mike Neri - 9/16/2009 4:31 PM |
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Tennessee/Florida Fireworks by Mike Neri Have you ever seen a bigger one week turnaround by a quarterback than Tennessee's Jonathan Crompton. He threw 5 TDs in the opener and that was after a two-week stretch where he said he was sky-high with confidence after being named the starter. OK, so it was against Western Kentucky, but you got the sense the awful 2008 season was behind him and everyone else in Orange after bringing in a new coaching staff. Then, last week Crompton was terrible in a 19-15 home loss to UCLA, with no TDs and 3 interceptions. So he has 5 TDs and 5 picks already. Worse yet, is the schedule, as the Vols head to the Swamp against rival (and defending champion) Florida. Making matters even worse is that Tennessee has injuries to the offensive line while the Florida players are fired up after new Tennnessee coach Lane Kiffin bad-mouthed Urban Meyer. The day after national signing day, Kiffin falsely accused Meyer of a recruiting violation. Kiffin told fans Meyer violated rules by phoning prospect Nu'Keese Richardson while he was on an official visit at Tennessee. The NCAA and SEC said it's not a violation. SEC commissioner Mike Slive reprimanded Kiffin, who then issued an apology. The Gators haven't forgotten about it, either. "I thought he was a nice guy," guard James Wilson said Sunday night. "But I don't know what he was thinking when he said all that. It kind of hit a nerve." Offensive lineman Matt Patchan called Lane Kiffin a "bozo" this week. Kiffin also raised eyebrows in Gainesville at his introductory news conference in December. He vowed to end the program's four-game losing streak against Florida. Kiffin said he was "looking forward to singing 'Rocky Top' all night long after we beat Florida next year. It will be a blast." Florida blew the quote up and plastered it around the team's facility during offseason workouts. The signs came down when the Gators began fall practice. Nonetheless, Wilson said Kiffin's comments have been the talk of the team. "It's all over our locker room," he said. "That's something you don't forget." Tennessee center has a center who couldn't snap in practice this week, and on his left is a guard who spent time on the sideline in a walking boot and on the right was another who injured his ankle in the first half against UCLA. The injuries line up in the heart of the UT offensive line. "It's a big concern," Vols coach Kiffin said. "We're going to push our guys through practice and find out who can make it and not wait until Saturday to find out, but we're pretty banged up there." Good luck against No. 1 Florida! By the way, the Gators blasted the Vols in each of their past two meetings. In Tennessee's last visit to The Swamp in 2007, Florida won 59-20. The Gators beat the Vols 30-6 at Neyland Stadium last season en route to winning their second BCS national championship in three years. Florida has won nine of its past 11 home contests against Tennessee. Gators coach Urban Meyer is a whopping 11-1 against his team's three biggest rivals: Florida State, Georgia and Tennessee. Penn State is hosting Temple, a huge dog, but be careful: Penn State is 29-2 SU, 19-10 ATS its last 31 at home. Penn State won at Temple a year ago, 45-3. In another potential revenge/angry angle, Cincinnati is heading out West to play Oregon State, a team they whipped two years ago, 34-3. On the "Payback" angle, which is natural when a team has embarassed you in the first meeting, Oregon State coach Mike Riley said this week "it might be" on the players' minds who were involved in that game. "I hope the guys who were around just remember it," said the coach. "It's a big game for both teams. That's probably enough motivation.'' |
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