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Playing On The Road Pumps Up Tebow

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 17, 2008

GAINESVILLE Playing on the road in the SEC is always a tough undertaking. Playing on the road in the SEC when you're a certifiable rock star like Tim Tebow, it is a different type of animal.

The reigning Heisman Trophy winner deals with more abuse from opposing teams than any other member of the team, as he even had to change his telephone number last year prior to Florida's matchup with LSU.

But Tebow wouldn't have it any other way.

"I love playing in The Swamp, don't get me wrong, but sometimes it's better to play on the road for me," he said. "When you're playing at Neyland Stadium or at LSU, that gets your blood going and it gets you excited and ready to play. For me, I don't know why, but it's exciting. I enjoy it."

STILL A RIVALRY? Some would say with three consecutive losses - including a 59-20 loss in 2007 - to the Gators the rivalry between Florida and Tennessee appears to be anything but.

For years the winner of the matchup was considered a lock to win the SEC championship, but with the Volunteers appearing to be on a downward slope, that likely won't be the case this season.

Don't tell the Gators this isn't a true rivalry, though. As far as they're concerned, this is still one of the biggest games of the season.

"There's no telling what can happen one year later," LB Brandon Hicks said.

"We can beat them bad one year they can come back the next year and beat us bad. It all depends on what team is prepared the most, which one comes in and works the hardest during summer workouts, two-a-days. It all comes down to that."

Karl Hyppolite

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