Gators’ Tebow likely a game-day call vs. LSU :WagerWeb Entertainment

Gators’ Tebow likely a game-day call vs. LSU

7 October 2009 128 views One Comment

So will Tim Tebow play in the Gators‘ biggest game of the regular season on Saturday night? UF might need him, considering they are playing at night at LSU, which has won 31 consecutive home night games.

Tebow, of course, suffered a concussion two Saturdays ago against Kentucky. He was cleared to practice Tuesday for the first time and did so again Wednesday. But UF coach Urban Meyer said Wednesday that he most likely won’t know whether Tebow will play in Saturday’s game until kickoff.

A little gamesmanship perhaps? Maybe not, since Tebow hasn’t been medically cleared to actually play in a game – although he was in full pads at the past two days’ practices but with a red, non-contact jersey on.

“I think that this will be a decision not made (Wednesday),” Meyer said. “After (Tuesday’s) practice I was told to game plan with the intent that there’s a chance that Tim could play. That’s all I know. All the other stuff, we’ll make a decision as we get closer. Is it an advantage us not telling? I’m not worried about that right now.”

The public seems to be jumping on LSU at WagerWeb.com, as the line that once was 9 is down to 7.5.

Meyer said he would err on the side of caution on whether to play Tebow even if the quarterback gets medical clearance. The coach also said the crowd noise at Tiger Stadium could be a factor – and you know Tigers fans are reading this.

“If the noise bothers Tim, he won’t be in the game. It means he’s still symptomatic [from his concussion],” Meyer said.

Certainly even if Tebow goes, he might not be able to be the battering ram he used to be, so it may well affect the play-calling. He and backup John Brantley are likely to share first-team snaps all week. With Tebow, Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey leading the way, the Gators top the nation in rushing at nearly 308 yards a game.

LSU’s defense is 88th in total yards allowed, 81st in rushing defense, and 101st in getting to the quarterback with only five sacks in five games, none in the last three.

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