Well coming off a heralded season of triumph , acclaim by their multitude of fans and the panacea of the collegiate football world . The University of Florida (Gators) are riding on the crest of a wave. And even more so that they’d won a second College National Football Championship, having posted a 13-1 record for the season. Albeit, that there were many who felt that the Gators weren’t deemed worthy to be playing for the BCS National Championship . Congress we can hear you, but it’s falling on deaf ears.
Florida Gators' player Tim Tebow , the Heisman Trophy and twice national championship winning quarterback. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Mattew Ronson .....................................
And the Southeastern Conference (SEC) now has the legitimacy that many have felt wasn’t deserving. The conference if anything is amongst the most competitive in all of collegiate football. Though there are those who feel that the Big Ten , Big 12 and Pac-10 conferences are more deserving of that accolade. But then again as they say …….’ beauty is in the eye of the beholder.’ And the beauty of it is , that the SEC has been the dominant conference in collegiate football over the past six years plus.
And whilst the conference has its detractors, it also has its admirers. The team to be admired at present has to be the Florida Gators. And with the heroics of their Heisman Trophy winning quarterback , Tim Tebow , at the helm. This team has reigned supreme atop of collegiate football. But none of this would’ve been possible without the program’s most successful coach by way of national championships , in Urban Meyer . He’s been the consummate professional as a coach and his players and coaching staff have bought into his ideas, which’ve proven to be extremely successful.
Gators' coach Urban Meyer who has won two national championships at the helm of the Gators' progam as its coach. picture appears courtesy of afp/photo/ Mario Casales..................
And while many were surprised that Tebow chose to return for his junior year. It wasn’t much of a surprise to the real devoted fans of the program. And for Tebow as far as he was concerned . He felt that he had some unfinished business. Be that as it may, the team is now viewed as the prohibitive and preseason favorites to make it back for another major BCS Bowl appearance. But the Bowl of preference would have to be the BCS National Championship.
Florida quarterbacks John Brantley (12) and Tim Tebow (15) congratulate each other after the team's emphatic 63-5 win over Kentucky in a game played in Gainesville , Florida,. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Phil Sandlin .......................
This offseason for the program it was about retooling their roster. And having lost several players to the NFL . It was viewed that the team would be in for something of a jolt. But it remains to seen as to how they’ll fare this upcoming season. Their recruiting can be viewed again as being amongst the best that the program has had under Meyer’s tenure . And that’s above all a credit to him and his renowned coaching staff. They’ve been meticulous in assessing their needs and going out and obtaining the best talent available to them. With the prestige of having won two national championships , it certainly makes it all the more enticing for any potential recruit to this esteemed program.
But as of now it’s going to be about the Gators and how they’ll go about in defense of their national title and their aspirations for this upcoming season. And the ‘Tebow watch’ is on. Can this young , prolific quarterback possibly win a second Heisman Trophy and alongside that raise an unprecedented third national title as a player ?
However while the nation’s eyes may well be on Tim Tebow. It’ll be interesting to see what use will be made of his backup in John Brantley . For as the Tebow era will most certainly draw to a close. Brantley will be entrusted with stepping into the shoes of his esteemed teammate. And for Urban Meyer much of that trust will come into being this season. Tebow may well be the heartbeart and vocal leader of this team. But under his presence this season , Brantlely will have to learn his craft diligently from Tim Tebow.
The one two punch , running attack of Jeffrey Demps and Chris Rainey at work for the Florida Gators.
And while Brantley will be earnerstly learning from Tebow as any young protoge’ would be expected to do. One has to also look at the roster of this Gators’ team to see from where their next stars will emerge. With the loss of wideout Percy Harvin to the NFL. One would expect that there’ll be someone expected to come to the fore. It’ll now be incumbent on the likes of Jeffrey Demps , Chris Rainey , Brandon Spikes , Riley Cooper and Rick Burgess provide the arsenal behind this team’s prolific offense. Nevermind, that Tebow , himself, will look to don his Captain America facade and lead by example on the offensive side of things.
Brandon Spikes (51) of the University of Florida makes a timely interception in the game played LSU in Gainesville , Fla,. picture appears courtesy of The Gainesville Sun/ Brandon Kruse ....................
As prolific as the Gators’ offense can be. Its defense when called upon has proven that they’re up to the task when called upon. The defense with Brandon Hicks and Ryan Stamper will be looked at , to provide the fulcrum to an already stout wall of inpenetrability. While we know that the SEC will provide a stiff challenge as to the ambitions of the Florida Gators this season. Wherein the challenges are likely to be provided by LSU and Alabama within the conference.
Brandon Spikes (51) of the University of Florida makes a timely interception in the game played LSU in Gainesville , Fla,. picture appears courtesy of The Gainesville Sun/ Brandon Kruse ....................
On the national stage those posing a challenge to the Gators’ supremacy will come from the likely usual suspects. The always steadfast USC Trojans of the Pac-10 , from within the Big 12, Texas , Oklahoma and Oklahoma State . From within the Big 10 we’re liable to see Penn St and Ohio State out to prove a point. And that point will be something to usrup the dominance of the Florida Gators who at present reign supreme atop of the world of collegiate football. It will be very interesting to see what transpires once the season begins to unfold. If nothing else in only see how well the Gators acquit themselves against the teams mentioned.
We’ll either end up seeing history being made as the Florida Gators sets about on this monumental task. And as alluded to earlier , where much of their success will be at the behest of Tebow’s performance this upcoming season. Theirs is a season that’s to be reckoned with as to their supporters’ and that of the team’s aspirations.
And for coach Urban Meyer the ensuing success that has already been achieved , having already added to his legacy. Triumph once again, this upcoming season would place him alongside the modern era giants of coaching within the college game.
So let’s see what awaits the Gators as the 2009-10 beckons. The voiciferous fans of the Gator Nation are indeed a force to be reckoned with. And their unwavering support for the team , is as always to be commended. Come what may , we can’t argue as to the success that the program has achieved.
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