48 Hours

It feels like it's been forever but we're actually getting close to playing some football. Novel concept.

D-Roc has a great story in today's paper about the go-to guys on each team - Dallas Baker and Anthony Gonzalez - who alway seem responsible for moving the chains on a big down. Smitter comes with a piece on everyone's favorite QB, Tim Tebow, while I wrote my column on Chris Hetland's chance for redemption after a difficult season.

Kickers are an unusual breed. As part of the Hetland story I sat and talked with Ohio State kicker Ryan Pretorius, who is actually a 27-year-old sophomore from South Africa. He played rugby all over the world before getting into kicking and is now hoping for a shot in the NFL. In other words, he's lived in Paris, London and all over Europe ... and now lives in Columbus. "Um, well, it's not as pretty," he said, before quickly adding, "but I really do like it."

As for Hetland, everyone with the Gators (not surprisingly) thinks he'll come through if he needs to make a kick in the game. His roommate (and holder) Butch Rowley told me, "I know he will. He's a big game guy and he's been waiting for this chance." The question, of course, is if he'll even get an opportunity. Urban Meyer has said he's not real comfortable sending the kicking unit in unless the ball is inside the 20-yard line, which could make for some interesting third-down calls if Florida is in two-down territory.