FORT LAUDERDALE – You might have expected the Florida Gators to disembark their charter flight, walk down the jetway stairs and kiss the tarmac at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
After all, this was the final stop in a journey that began on Aug. 8 when Urban Meyer’s team suited up for the first time with visions of championships dancing in their helmets.
One hundred and forty eight days later, they arrived at their final destination in hopes of completing the task on day 154.
An Orange Bowl entourage — about 25 of them in orange coats — and a few dozen media greeted the American Airlines charter after it touched down and taxied to hangar No. 1150.
The first player to step off at 3:39 p.m. was starting right tackle Jason Watkins, followed by a stream of big bodies. It was official: The Gators had arrived.
This may not have been “The Journey of a Thousand Miles,” but at times Florida’s trip to the national championship game certainly was in jeopardy, beginning with the shocking upset at The Swamp by unranked Ole Miss — which suddenly doesn’t look so shocking anymore.
Statistically it was 3.267 miles of offense over 13 games, 5,751 in yards. But to Urban Meyer it was a long, long way, given the number of injuries his team incurred.
These Gators looked very businesslike as they ambled down the stairs, loaded into the bus and departed for their hotel, The Westin Diplomat in nearby Hollywood.
“We prepared very well,” Tim Tebow declared. “As far as the game plan, I think they know it inside and out. And I think they’re excited and they’re ready to go.”
Maybe, in view of the tragedy that once befell Wichita State and Marshall, claiming so many lives of players and coaches, we should just all be grateful that they arrived safe and sound. The fact that everybody made the trip and that Percy Harvin looks game ready — Meyer announced his star receiver/running back would be practicing with the team Saturday — was blessings of abundance.
Meyer said that while the game plan was in, a few offensive wrinkles would be added for Harvin.
Percy wasn’t the only casualty this season. Looking back at it now, the Gator coach marvels at the number of players he lost to injury — as well as some of those who stepped up behind them. It all hit him in the pre-game interviews for the SEC Championship.
“I remember sitting there watching Nick Saban doing his interview right before we played them and he said, ‘It’s an amazing year. We haven’t had one injury,’” Meyer said.
“We have, I think, eight ACLs and a complete tear of the MCL. Everybody knows about C.I. (Cornelius Ingram) and Dorian Munroe, but they don’t know about Cody Wharton and Brendan Beal. Those have been two of my stars on special team and they’re out.”
All in all, though, Meyer was glad to be where he was with the chance to do what his team might be able to accomplish.
“This is why you live,” he said. “This is what we do.”
This is actually where I thought Florida would be at this point. I picked the Gators 11-1 in the regular season, with a win over Auburn in the SEC title game and a trip to Miami to play Southern Cal.
After my first look at this team on opening day, this is what I wrote:
“It’s in the air. You can smell it, like Old Money. These hot August days with the oppressive heat and the annoying gnats otherwise reek with a fresh spirit and hearty anticipation.
“As the 2008 Florida Gators took the field this week for the first time, they had the look of a team on a mission — clear of eye, svelte of body and focused of mind.
“But, then, all newborn babies are beautiful, aren?t they?
“I’ve been doing this a long time. Probably have attended about a dozen of these opening days for practice. Four decades of covering Gator football have taught me to temper the orange and blue mania with cautious optimism. But I am not going to lie to you: This 102nd edition of the Florida Gators has that special delivery stamp written all over it.”
I would be lying if I didn’t tell you there were times this past season when I doubted the wisdom of that prediction myself.
But they made it—they got a different kind of touchdown in South Florida and now they are poised and ready to strike for their second national championship in three seasons.
There was no kissing the ground in Lauderdale, however. They did squeeze an orange or two. Tim Tebow had one in his hand as he talked to the media. Meyer was handed Florida’s favorite fruit by Orange Bowl Chairman Danny Ponce.
The only problem was that these were California oranges.
What the hay — was the BCS Committee expecting Southern Cal to get off that plane?