The success of the Florida Gators will depend on how well its defense plays. We all know the offense, led by Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, can put the ball in the end zone. SportsBetting.com has the Florida Gators listed at 6 to 1 odds to win the 2009 BCS Championship. If Florida can find a pass rush and can be more consistent in the secondary under new defensive coaches Dan McCarney and Vance Bedford, a second national title in three years is not out of the question, but all signs point to the Gators having to go through a loaded Georgia Bulldogs team to get there.
Find out how College Football Predictions Expert Dave Price has the season shaping up in his 2008 Florida Gators predictions and season preview for Point-Spreads.com.
Offense – The Gators lost just two starters from an offense which led the SEC in scoring and was ranked third nationally at 42.5 ppg. Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow returns as well as offensive specialist Percy Harvin who had 1,622 rushing and receiving yards despite missing two games last season. The offense figures to be a juggernaut again, but there's a chance that a slightly different approach could hurt the Gators.
Head coach Urban Meyer wants to reduce Tebow's carries from 16 a game to 10 to try to preserve his health. He wants to utilize Kestahn Moore, Chris Rainey, Mon Williams, Brandon James, and Emmanuel Moody at the tailback position for more carries. But don't think for a second that Meyer won't ride Tebow again if that's what needs to happen. Florida's wide receiver corps is largely inexperienced, but speed kills and they do have plenty of that. Harvin will be a marked man so these youngsters will have to prove themselves in a hurry.
Defense – While Florida does have some defensive concerns, the linebacker position is not one of them. Junior middle linebacker Brandon Spikes was a first team All-SEC selection last season after recording 131 tackles – second most in the SEC. Junior outside linebacker Dustin Doe was second on the team with 85 stops. The line needs to have some playmakers emerge. The only player worrying opposing coaches right now is junior defensive end Jermaine Cunningham. The tackle position could be a mess as projected starters Torrey Davis and John Brown are dealing with academic problems. Joe Harden and Wondy Pierre-Louis will start at the corners and Major Wright will play free safety, but there is a big hole at the other safety spot. The defense wasn't very good last season and now it will have to adapt to new coaches. This usually isn't a good situation, but it is something that talent can atone for at times.
Special Teams – One of Florida's biggest weapons is speed and they have that in the return game with Brandon James who led the SEC in yards per punt return. He was second in the league in yards per kickoff return as well. With seven returns of 50 yards or more, he is a big time game breaker.
College Football Predictions for 2008 Florida Gators – 2nd in SEC East
Florida's spread option will once again be among the most lethal attacks in the country, but because its defense still has some question marks, I don't think they can bite the Bulldogs. Second in the SEC East is where I have them ending up.
SportsBetting.com has posted football betting odds on various 2008 College Football Predictions:
Alabama
60 – 1
Arizona
100 – 1
Arizona St
100 – 1
Arkansas
100 – 1
Auburn
40 – 1
Boise St
100 – 1
Boston College
100 – 1
California
100 – 1
Clemson
30 – 1
Florida
6 – 1
Florida St
60 – 1
Georgia
6 – 1
Georgia Tech
100 – 1
Illinois
50 – 1
Iowa
100 – 1
Kansas
75 – 1
Kansas St
100 – 1
Kentucky
100 – 1
LSU
12 – 1
Louisville
100 – 1
Maryland
100 – 1
Miami FL
100 – 1
Michigan
30 – 1
Michigan St
100 – 1
Missouri
15 – 1
Nebraska
75 – 1
North Carolina
100 – 1
North Carolina St
100 – 1
Notre Dame
100 – 1
Ohio St
6 – 1
Oklahoma
6 – 1
Oklahoma St
100 – 1
Oregon
100 – 1
Oregon St
100 – 1
Penn St
50 – 1
Rutgers
100 – 1
South Carolina
75 – 1
South Florida
100 – 1
Tennessee
100 – 1
Texas
30 – 1
Texas A&M
100 – 1
Texas Tech
75 – 1
UCLA
75 – 1
USC
3 – 1
Virginia
100 – 1
Virginia Tech
40 – 1
Wake Forest
100 – 1
West Virginia
20 – 1
Wisconsin
50 – 1
Field (Any Other Team)
25 – 1
