The difference between a good football player and a great one was evident on Saturday afternoon in Tallahassee. College football is littered with good players, but Tim Tebow showed the nation why he is one of the best by elevating his game and team in adverse conditions to lead the Florida Gators to another romp over rival Florida State. Tebow looked like a great thoroughbred labeled as a “mudder” running the football and delivered some of his best throws all season with the wet football.
Dan Mullen deserves some credit as well, keeping the game plan in order despite the deluge right before the game. Urban Meyer has admitted that he was ready to ditch the pass and go single wing, power football all the way but Mullen stuck to his guns and it paid off as Tebow threw for three touchdowns in those miserable conditions. Tebow was the calm in the storm and has once again leaped to the top of the Heisman list.
There was concern in the Gator Camp in general about the game versus FSU. First you had two starting offensive lineman that missed practice to deal with a family emergency. You had Thanksgiving week and the and of course the fact that number one Alabama looms big next week in Atlanta. FSU statistically was a very good team in the Atlantic Coast Conference and was coming off their most complete win of the season at Maryland the week before. Combine all that with the fact that Lawrence Marsh could not practice and was doubtful and there was reason to be concerned. But the Gator defense rose to the occasion once again and showed why they are the most improved unit in the country from 2007 to 2008.
Florida’s 30-point win was its biggest ever margin of victory in Tally and the 45 points were the most ever scored by a Gator team in Doak Campbell Stadium. Florida has won three in a row at FSU and the Gators were undefeated on the road this season .
After Saturday’s performance (three interceptions, one forced fumble) the defense has now picked off 11 passes versus ranked opponents. The key for UF’s defense was the fact that even though FSU had good field position off kick returns and a fumble they did not give up a touchdown. Florida is fifth in the country in red zone defense and in large part because of the secondary. When teams get into the scoring zone, Charlie Strong is not afraid to man up with the receivers and try to get pressure.
Florida’s offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage and while UF may be labeled a finesse team because they run the spread this is not an accurate moniker. Florida is a physical grind it out run team that has rushed for over 300 yards per game in three consecutive games.
Florida gets the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC title game in a match-up of #1 vs #2 in the AP Poll. The top two teams have played 40 times in the history of the AP Poll with #1 winning 25 times. This is the first time this has ever happened in a league championship game. Only two coaches have two wins over number one teams while being ranked number two, Jimmy Johnson and Joe Paterno. With a win on Saturday, Urban Meyer will join that group since he already won a top two showdown as the number two team in the national championship game in 2006 over Ohio State.
Alabama will be a very physical and well-coached football team. The Gators and Crimson Tide are the top two rushing teams in the SEC they also have the best scoring margins of any two teams in the conference. The Tide gives up just 11.5 points per game on defense while Florida gives up 12.2 points per game on defense.
Florida is a big play offense that has had at least 10 plays of over 20 yards in three consecutive games. Both teams start fast and play great defense. They are real mirror images in every facet except explosiveness If UF can continue to get big plays in the offense that should be the difference for a Gator win this week in Atlanta.
30-30-15: This is the number I told you before the season that would be the barometer for success on defense. The stat is force 30 turnovers, get 30 sacks and hold teams to less than 15 points per game. Florida has forced 32 turnovers which have resulted in 22 scores by the way. UF has 31 sacks and they are holding opponents to 12.2 points per game. I told you this would be a big year if UF could hit these numbers and the Gators are one win away from an appearance in the national championship game. They will be BCS bound which is what I said would be the worst case scenario if they hit the 30-30-15. This is also why I like the winner of this game versus Oklahoma in Miami.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING:
Florida has had 25 touchdown drives this season that were under 1:30.
Florida has had eight non-offensive scores for touchdowns this season.
The Gators are averaging eight yards a play on first down this season.
Florida has had 34 runs and 38 passes for over 20+yards, big plays.
Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps have combined for 16 runs of over 20+yards.
Carlos Dunlap leads UF with 12 tackles for loss and nine sacks on the season.
The Gator defense held eight of the 12 opponents under 110 yards rushing in a game.
Florida had an interception in every game this season except Miami.
The number one defense has given up one touchdown the last six games.
UF leads the country in turnover margin at +21 which is also a school record.
KEY TO WIN AGAINST ALABAMA: There are so many things to break down this week and the health of Percy Harvin will be a big storyline. But let me try to simplify it for you like this — FIRST DOWN. Whoever wins first down will win the game. This goes for both sides of the football. Florida must shut down the Tide run game and put John Parker Wilson in long yardage situations. You have to win first down and get Alabama off schedule. Offensively Florida has been great on first down and this will be their toughest test. Mount Cody in the middle will be a major factor to slowing down the read option of Florida. We will check back after the game, but I think whoever wins first down wins the game.