Florida Gators 2009 College Football Predictions: After steamrolling through the final 10 games of the 2008 season (outscoring opponents 469 to 131) on their way to claiming their second Bowl championship Series National Title in the last three years, the University of Florida Gators seem perfectly positioned to bring another championship to Gainesville. The college football predictions experts at online sportsbook SBG Global has the Florida Gators listed at +150 odds to win the 2010 BCS National Championship Title.Pros: Senior quarterback Tim Tebow (2,764 yards passing, 30 TDs; 673 yards rushing, 12 TDs) is a dangerous multi-purpose threat with the unique ability to lift the level of play of his teammates. He orchestrates one of the most potent offenses in college football, as the Gators averaged 43.6 points per game a year ago. The defense returns all 11 starters and 21 of 22 players on the two-deep depth chart from a unit that allowed only 12.9 points per game a year ago, and held the high-powered Oklahoma Sooners to only 14 points in the national title game. Linebacker Brandon Spikes is a defensive game-changer and the secondary is as strong as nay in the country.
Cons: The biggest loss from a year ago is playmaker Percy Harvin, who was the top receiver and second leading rusher in 2008. Running backs Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey each gained more than 600 yards rushing while averaging 7.8 yards per rush and should pick up the slack running the ball. However, the top returning wide receiver is Deonte Thompson, who caught only 18 passes a year ago.
#1 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
2008 Season Record: 13-1
Defending BCS National Champions
2008 Final Rank: 1st
Returning Starters Offense:7
Returning Starts on Defense: 11
Surprise Stat: The Gators blocked nine kicks during the 2008 season.
The college football predictions odds makers at SBG Global have the Florida Gators –400 odds favorites to win the SEC Conference Title.
Overall Outlook: Picked by most experts as the preseason number one team, Urban Meyer’s squad seems to have all the ingredients needed to claim their third national championship in the last four years. If new playmakers can emerge at receiver, the offense should be just as explosive as a year ago. The defense is deep and talented and provides a great compliment to the explosive offense. With so much talent returning, the Gators won’t be relying on many newcomers this season. Wide receiver Andre Debose could see immediate action as a replacement for Percy Harvin. Other top recruits include offensive lineman Xavier Nixon and linebackers Jelani Jenkins and Jon Bostic.
Big Game: When you are the defending national champions, every team considers you to be a big game on their schedule. The September 19th game against Tennessee will be notable because new Volunteers coach Lane Kiffin has spent much of the off season provoking the Gators. However, the pivotal game for the Gators will be October 10th at LSU. If they emerge from that game undefeated, the Gators will be in the driver’s seat for a spot in the national title game as they play only two of their final seven games on the road.
Key to Success: The only thing that could significantly derail the title hopes for the Gators is a significant injury to Tebow. He is the emotional and physical leader of the team and must stay healthy if the Gators want to retain the national title. Given the plethora of defensive talent, you can imagine that every member of the defensive unit will be looking to stand out from the crowd on every opportunity. That could be bad news for opponents, who will see little letdown in talent no matter which players are in the game.
Online Sportsbook SBG Global has posted the following odds to win the 2010 BCS National Championship:
Alabama +2200
Arizona St +7000
Arkansas +7000
Auburn +9000
Boston College +7500
California +2200
Cincinnati +8500
Clemson +7500
Colorado +8500
Florida +150
Florida St +4000
Georgia +7500
Georgia Tech +1200
Illinois +4500
Iowa +8500
Kansas +4500
Kansas St +8500
Kentucky +8500
Louisville +8500
LSU +3200
Miami FL +3200
Michigan +8500
Michigan St +1700
Missouri +8500
Nebraska +4500
Notre Dame +1200
Ohio St +800
Oklahoma +650
Oklahoma St +2700
Oregon +4500
Penn St +1500
Rutgers +4500
South Carolina +8500
South Florida+5000
Southern Cal +600
Tennessee +8500
Texas+650
Texas A&M+8500
Texas Tech +6500
UCLA +8500
Virginia Tech +1700
Wake Forest +8500
North Carolina +4500
West Virginia +6000
Wisconsin +6500
Field (All Others) +1200
