Savannah State savors another chance to 'shock the world'

SAVANNAH, Georgia - As Savannah State's football players wrapped up preparations for their Saturday trip to Tallahassee and Doak Campbell Stadium, the Tigers became the butt of another joke Thursday afternoon.

Las Vegas oddsmakers announced the Tigers as 70-point underdogs against sixth-ranked Florida State, a number believed to be the largest point spread in the history of college football.

But while everyone on the outside seems to be concerned for the Tigers' feelings, not to mention their physical well-being, the players and coaches insist they have taken the daunting schedule as business as usual.

Even after an 84-0 loss to Oklahoma State on Sept. 1, they say they are as excited about playing Florida State as they were when they first learned of the matchup in the spring.

"We're really not worried about the past," said freshman offensive lineman Percy Griffin, who played at Godby High in Tallahassee. "Coach tells us that's the past, you can't change...

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Method to Savannah State’s Madness?

It’s not often that a team from the FCS’ Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is the subject of national headlines. In 2012, Savannah (GA) State has bucked this trend. But not for the better.

Last Saturday, in their first game of the season, the Tigers traveled to Oklahoma State as 67.5-point underdogs and failed to cover the record spread, losing 84–0. The road doesn’t get easier for Savannah State as they travel to Tallahassee this Saturday to face sixth-ranked Florida State. The spread could, once again, be in the 50- to 60-point range.

The Tigers are being compensated for these early-season blowouts to the tune of $860,000 combined from the Cowboys and Seminoles. The cash will be used to lend stability to a football program which has gone through six coaches and been placed on NCAA probation twice since 2001.

There’s also been two lawsuits that have sucked the athletic department of money. Former football coach Robby Wells – who is white – sued for racial discrimination after resigning in 2010. The case was settled for $240,000, according to The New York Times. Four players are still suing the school for allegedly reneging on scholarships due to racial discrimination.

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