Tennessee football's opening opponent, Syracuse, took the podium at ACC Media Days and gave its thoughts on the Vols.
www.rockytopinsider.com
Q. How excited is the team with playing a big game against Tennessee in the opener in Atlanta?
FRAN BROWN: We’re blessed to be able to play in such a prestigious venue against the Blue Blood of college football. They’ve been doing well for years. I’ve got a cousin that played there, all the way back to Reggie White. So we get a chance to go and play against Tennessee.
We’re just thankful to be able to play in that venue. We’re extremely happy to get a chance to go and play against Tennessee. They do a real good job. Our team is excited and thankful, but the main thing is the main thing. We’re trying to focus on, like, today. They’re back there, they want to focus on the skull session, right? And then they want to focus on the workout they’ll have today. So that way we can be ready for that big stage.
I mentioned something to a coach when he was leaving to go to another program. He felt like that was a big stage, a big program. I told him, stages are created by the people on them. Like, you put the work in, and it will come to you. Don’t ever run somewhere thinking I’m going to run to this stage now, this is where I belong at. I’m like, no, they’re created by the daily grind, the daily work. If it’s meant for you to go get what you’re supposed to get when you hit that spot, then just be ready for it.
Mental toughness; these dudes are trying to be who they are, and we’re just working. We’re just working daily. Tennessee is a good program, they have a good team, they play in the playoffs. We get a chance to go out and compete against them, we want to make sure how we’re supposed to look when you play against a team of that caliber because they usually blow everybody out in the beginning of the year and do those things. We’re just blessed to have an opportunity to play against them.
Q. Talking more about that game against Tennessee, you played Tennessee several times as a Georgia defensive back coach. How is it playing against Tennessee yet again in Atlanta, a place you played multiple times?
FRAN BROWN: It’s an honor. I’m thankful. I think Coach Heupel is one of the best coaches in college football. His offense does an amazing job. His defense is rolling. What happened at Georgia don’t have anything to do with Syracuse.
I’m just focused on my mental toughness. I’m going to be where my feet are. We’re locked on the day so we can be ready for that big stage. It’s a big venue, so we’ve got to make sure we’re ready when the time comes.
