Board material: CB Franks says Tebow doesn't intimidate OU

"With us being in Florida, playing against Florida, everybody is going to think Tebow should have won the Heisman," Franks said, "but the right person won the Heisman."

It's becoming increasingly clear that the Sooners are disturbed by comments attributed to Tebow last month. It has been widely published that the quarterback told some TV types off camera, "I can't wait to play against one of those Big 12 defenses."

Oklahoma is certainly one of them, rated second in the Big 12 but only 63rd nationally, giving up 359 yards per game. The number that stands out, though, is OU being 99th against the pass. Tebow, by the way, said later he was kidding.

"Their offense probably scores so quick, it gives [the defense] more chances to stop somebody," Tebow said Sunday before Franks' comments. "They may give up a few yards that way. I think they're a good defense."

OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables found himself in the role of fireman. He was trying to put out the flames created by Franks, who made the same comments in different sessions to both broadcast and print media Sunday during a round of interviews before Thursday's game.

"Maybe it's because he's a young guy who doesn't know any better, doesn't watch enough tape, and I really mean that," Venables said of Franks. "I think he's going to bat for the guys he has a lot of respect for."

An outburst like this seemingly has been building since early in the season, when the Big 12 and SEC separated themselves from the rest of college football. It has been culture war all season, with both leagues clearly playing the best football but getting it done different ways. The Big 12 currently has five of the top nine teams in scoring offense. As is its tradition, the SEC has dominated on defense, with four of the top 14 teams in total defense.

"In the SEC, it's the next thing to the NFL," Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes said. "The Big 12 is having an awesome year. [But] you play defense, stop them, contain them, defense wins championships. "

Venables countered: "It's not the SEC vs. the Big 12. It's this team vs. this team."

What's said on the podium, sometimes, is a glimpse inside the team. Florida is the favorite, playing in Florida for its second national championship in three years. Oklahoma isn't exactly a stranger to these things, but anything to get a team fired up can be put to use.

Even Venables let some sarcasm through when he said that Oklahoma's challenge has been characterized as "insurmountable."

"I think it's easy to get our guys motivated ...," Venables said. "Obviously, any time somebody doubts you, if you have any competitive fire, you get fired up for that."

"Him [Tebow] saying he wants to face a Big 12 defense ...," Franks said, his voice trailing off. "It's been great listening to all the comments they [are] making. Jan. 8 we're going to see."

The Tulsa native is regarded as somewhat of a shutdown corner. Franks was a second-team All-Big 12 pick after intercepting four passes, while returning both a fumble and a pick for a touchdown.

He came to Oklahoma with a heavy heart and a hard exterior having lost both his stepfather and biological father in a four-year period.

"I don't like to open up because I don't want nobody to see me hurting like that," Franks told the AP during the season. "It took a major toll on me."

We'll see if there is any further damage control on Oklahoma's part. Franks' mandatory attendance (by the BCS) at Monday's media day could suddenly be not so mandatory if coach Bob Stoops gets involved.

"I think he's a great player, a great player," Venables said of Tebow. "I don't think like Dom thinks."