Everyone from the Gainesville, Fla., barbers to the mayor have weighed in on Tim Tebow. For the record, Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan said Florida’s quarterback should keep resting from his concussion and not play at fourth-ranked Louisiana State tonight.
The bigger question is this: Does top-ranked Florida need him to play?
The way both teams are playing, the answer is probably no. Hidden behind all the hand- wringing and medical analysis is the fact that Florida (4-0, 2-0 SEC) leads the nation in rushing. And no, Tebow is not their leading rusher.
Sophomores Jeffery Demps (76 yards per game) and Chris Rainey (67.8) lead a unit averaging 307.5 ypg. The Gators average only 124 yards through the air in two SEC games, and while they want more balance, it’s clear their stable of tailbacks can buy time until Tebow heals.
“Here’s what we’re OK with: win,” Florida offensive coordinator Steve Addazio told reporters this week. “W, W, W, W, W. That’s what it’s really all about. But you can’t stick your head in the sand. You want them to defend the whole field.”
Florida coach Urban Meyer said the decision on the availability of Tebow, the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner, will come right before kickoff. If Tebow sits out, sophomore John Brantley will get his first start. Brantley was the nation’s top prep quarterback three years ago, and his passer rating of 182.29 is better than Tebow’s 170.31 this year. Also, Florida gets back its lone deep threats, Deonte Thompson, who missed two games with a hamstring, and Riley Cooper, who had the flu.
Yes, Brantley has played in mop-up duty, and he would be starting in arguably the toughest home venue in the country, but this is not a vintage LSU team. Until the Tigers (5-0, 2-0) scored twice in the last 2:53 to win at Georgia 20-13 last week, quarterback Jordan Jefferson and coordinator Gary Crowton were nearly as disliked in Louisiana as the Gators.
LSU is 99th in total offense and 40th in total defense. Its streak of 32 straight Saturday night home wins may be in jeopardy.
John Henderson: 303-954-1299 or jhenderson@denverpost.com
Games to watch
Colorado (1-3) at No. 2 Texas (4-0)
5:15 p.m., Memorial Stadium, ESPN
This will make it 5-for-5 for 2009 Colorado games seen on national television (including cable networks), and the bright lights have not been kind to the Buffaloes. The exposure is nice, but CU, a 32 1/2-point underdog, must put on a better show. The staff worked all week on improving the efficiency of QB Cody Hawkins, left (seven TD passes, seven INTs). But the entire offense must step up, including the running game and wide receivers, said coordinator Eric Kiesau. “I don’t care who the quarterback is; if everybody in the country knows you’re throwing every down, there’s going to be mistakes,” Kiesau said.
No. 10 TCU (4-0) at Air Force (3-2)
5:30 p.m., Falcon Stadium, CBSCS
The end zone has been out of bounds for Air Force’s offensive players of late, with no touchdowns in the last nine quarters. Receiver Kevin Fogler, left, was the last offensive player to score a touchdown, and it was in the third period three games ago against New Mexico. Fogler also scored a touchdown against Minnesota. Only two other offensive players have scored touchdowns against Division 1A opponents — tailback Savier Stephens and receiver Jonathan Warzeka, each scoring a touchdown against New Mexico. TCU has allowed 59 points in four games.
Utah (3-1) at Colorado State (3-2)
4 p.m., Hughes Stadium, MTN
Colorado State’s offensive line, which has lived up to high expectations, draws its biggest test. Utah DE Koa Misi, left, is second behind TCU’s Jerry Hughes in tackles among MWC linemen at 6.3 a game. Misi has stepped up for a seamless transition from Paul Kruger, who jumped to the NFL a year early. The Rams have to watch out for LB Stevenson Sylvester. Sylvester owned Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and tormented CSU last year with nine tackles and a forced fumble. With RB Matt Asiata out, the Utes still have a steadily improving first-year QB in Terrance Cain and one of the league’s top receivers in David Reed.
Portland State (1-4) at Northern Colo. (1-4)
1:30 p.m. Nottingham Field
Something has to give for these two programs, which are both winless in the Big Sky and riding three-game losing streaks. Question is, will the big homecoming celebration tip the scales in Northern Colorado’s favor? While the Bears continue to give Dylan Orms, left, more time at quarterback behind Bryan Waggener, Portland State’s offense is solid with Drew Hubel at the helm. Hubel leads the Big Sky in total offense (327.4) and passing average (334.0). UNC’s passing defense (187.2) is tops in the conference. PSU’s Aaron Woods averages 202 all-purpose yards per game.
New Mexico (0-5) at Wyoming (3-2)
Noon, War Memorial Stadium, MTN
If Wyoming wins, it would mark only the sixth time since 1998 that it has been able to string as many as three wins together. The Lobos, who have lost nine straight, have been mired in off-field drama with their coach, but on the field haven’t been impressive, either. Lobos QB Donovan Porterie, left, has struggled this season with only three TDs passing and three interceptions. The Lobos rank 111th in total offense (295.6 yards per game) and 117th in scoring (14.8 points). New Mexico CB Nathan Enriquez is figuring out his role, as the freshman had two INTs last week against Texas Tech.
Players to watch
Rolando McClain, Alabama
With the No. 3 Tide facing No. 20 Ole Miss, linebacker McClain is perhaps the best player in a game full of future NFL talent. If he can shut down Ole Miss’ running game, this one will fall pretty easy for ‘Bama. 1:30 p.m., KCNC-4
John Clay, Wisconsin
The Big Ten’s leading rusher will go against the conference’s top rushing defense. Something’s gotta give. 1:30 p.m., ESPN
Brandon Graham, Michigan
If the Iowa O-line doesn’t improve, expect Graham to be in QB Ricky Stanzi’s face all night. The DE ranks second in the nation in tackles for loss. 6 p.m., KMGH-7
Todd Reesing, Kansas
He needs only 85 yards passing against Iowa State to pass Brad Smith for No. 6 on Big 12 career list.
10:30 a.m., Versus
Demaryius Thomas, Ga. Tech
Watch out, Florida State. Thomas leads the SEC with 107.2 receiving yards a game and an eye-popping 22.3 yards per catch. 6 p.m., ESPN2
Today’s games
BIG 12
Iowa St. at Kansas, 10:30 a.m.
Okla. St. at Texas A&M, 10:30 a.m.
Baylor at Oklahoma, 1:30 p.m.
Kansas St. at Texas Tech, 5 p.m.
Colorado at Texas, 5:15 p.m.
MOUNTAIN WEST
New Mexico at Wyoming, noon
Utah at Colorado St., 4 p.m.
TCU at Air Force, 5:30 p.m.
BYU at UNLV, 8 p.m.
BIG SKY
Cal Poly at Montana, 1 p.m.
Portland St. at N. Colo., 1:35 p.m.
Weber St. at E. Wash., 1:35 p.m.
N. Ariz. at Montana St., 1:35 p.m.
Idaho St. at Sacramento St., 3:05 p.m.
RMAC
Western St. at Colo. Mines, noon
Chadron St. at W. N.M., 1 p.m.
Neb.-Kearney at N.M. Highlands, 1 p.m.
Adams State at Fort Lewis, 2 p.m.
Mesa State at CSU-Pueblo, 6 p.m.
