Some Things Should Never Be Said

This past Monday LSU defensive lineman, Ricky Jean-Francois, told the press that if he got a clean shot at Tebow, he would try to take him out of the game for good. There was no room for misunderstanding. The LSU lineman told the world, clearly and unequivocally, that he would intentionally hurt Tebow seriously and permanently, if he got the opportunity. Tebow, characteristically, downplayed the comment. After all, last year before the LSU game some LSU fans got Tebow's cell number and peppered him with calls filled with obscenities and death threats. Tebow took it all with a grain of salt. The comment last Monday by the LSU lineman was different. It was public and direct. Unlike Tebow, UF Defensive Coordinator, Dan Mullen, took the comment seriously and told the press that "Intentionally injuring other players is not part of the game that we teach here at UF." LSU public relations issued a statement on Tuesday trying to do damage control and basically saying that Jean-Francois didn't mean to say what he said. But the damage was done. Jean-Francois did not travel with LSU to Gainesville. He stayed behind at Baton Rouge, reportedly as a result of a heretofore undisclosed "groin" injury. Nobody believes that. Not even in Baton Rouge. Unless the groin injury was the result of Les Miles kicking him in the nuts while screaming, "You stupid fool! You just lost Saturday's game!" College football is a highly emotional game. That's why we all love it so much. But some things go beyond the pale. They also fire up the other team beyond all understanding or measurement. The mood in Gainesville, inside the Gator locker room, all over the Gator Nation, this past week was off the charts. All seismic data coming from campus sensors were forecasting a major volcanic explosion. Florida was going to beat LSU and beat them bad, very bad. It was a pre-ordained rout. That's why I gave you all a heads up on the Pickem game. Jason also piped in that it was going to be by a lot of points. Victor knows that I generally don't predict victories. He knows I worry if we're playing the Sisters of Charity. Not this time. I was so sure that UF was going to beat LSU I would have bet whatever's left of my stock portfolio. Obviously Vegas had some inside information because the line was in favor of the Gators, even though UF was #12 and LSU #4 at the time. There was a lot of furious text chatter between Gators all week, specially among the Fraxedas clan. But I was so angry personally that I didn't want to post something I would later regret. In any event, I feel better now. Actually, in retrospect, here's hoping that somebody from Georgia or Kentucky or So Carolina or FSU runs their mouth about taking Tebow out. Any takers? Anybody????