FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Oklahoma’s defenders have had enough of all the questions about the Big 12’s shaky defensive numbers this season.

They’ve also apparently had enough of the Tim Tebow talk. Oklahoma sophomore cornerback Dominique Franks said during interviews with the media Sunday morning at the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa that Tebow would have been no better than the fourth-best quarterback in the Big 12 this season.

Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables said he doesn’t agree with all of Franks’ comments. “I don’t know, maybe it’s just a young guy who doesn’t know any better,” Venables said. “He doesn’t watch enough tape. I really mean that. But I think he’s going to bat for a lot of guys who he has a lot of respect for.” Venables said that some of Franks’ comments might have been sparked by disparaging comments about Big 12 defenses this season. “Obviously, any time anybody doubts you if you have any competitive fire or competitive nature, you get fired up and excited for that. It gets you to perk up and sit up a little bit straighter in your chair,” Venables said. “But still, being mad doesn’t make you play better. It’s still a process. “This week is no different than the Big 12 championship or UT-Chattanooga. I believe that whole-heartedly. There’s a process you have to invest in. And if you do, usually good things will happen.” Franks said he likes the fact that nobody respects the defenses of the Big 12.

Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes said on Saturday it seemed they put most of the best athletes in the Big 12 on offense and that the defenses looked a step slow. “We’ve heard it all year,” Franks said. “Like I said, this is going to be our chance to prove everybody wrong.” The Sooners’ second-team All-Big 12 cornerback also said he was unconcerned about giving Tebow any extra motivation. Historically, Tebow has played some of his best games after being called out by opposing players. “No, he said he wanted to face a Big 12 defense,” countered Franks, who had four interceptions this season. “It’s been great listening to all the comments they’ve been making. On January 8, we’re going to see. Everybody is saying our defense is suspect in the back end. Hopefully, he’ll throw me the ball a couple of times, and I can get my hands on it.”

Franks is only a  sophomore but you think he would know not to give any bulletin board material to a really good Florida Gators team and their past Heisman Trophy winning QB.

- Miles Cyrus