"It wasn't how we envisioned it would happen, but its a win," Tebow said. "That's enough for all of us."
Compare Tebows postgame attitude to Kiffin's.
"Were excited," Kiffin said. "
There were a lot of young players playing in this game. A lot of our guys are going to be here a while. They know we get to play those guys every single year."
An emphatic win might have shut Kiffin's mouth for good. It might have planted doubts in the minds of recruits who listened to him sell SEC and national championship dreams. Meyer could have pointed to the lopsided score and assured future stars that Kiffin was all talk.
Now, Kiffin can tell recruits that freshmen such as tailback Bryce Brown and free safety Janzen Jackson contributed mightily to a valiant effort against one of the greatest college football teams ever assembled, and if those recruits would just sign on the dotted line, they could put Tennessee over the top.
"I think we have a powerful message out in the country about what's going on in Tennessee football," Kiffin said. "I think you see it in the kids that just came in."
Read more:
Urban Meyer, Florida Gators can't feel like they beat Tennessee - Andy Staples - SI.com