Florida Gators, New Year, New Team, Same Goal

(Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Offense sells tickets, defense wins championships. If that old saying is true then the Gators are looking good going into the season. It all begins with linebacker, Brandon Spikes. Spikes in the cornerstone of a defense that returns all of the major components of a stellar defense. Spikes lead the team with 93 tackles and are capable of single handily changing a game. Helping Spikes at linebacker will be Dustin Doe, A.J. Jones, Ryan Stamper, and Brandon Hicks.

The D-Line in front of the linebackers is dangerous enough that any team that advances to the second level is lucky. The ends are Jermaine Cunningham and Carlos Dunlap. Cunningham replaced Derrick Harvey and has not disappointed. He registered six sacks and looks to have a successful senior campaign. Dunlap is a big end at 6-6 and 290 pounds. If he plays motivated, Dunlap can be the most disruptive force in the SEC. The tackles will be Lawrence Marsh and Terron Sanders. The tackles will not receive much hype due to the impressive ability at end, but they will play a big factor during the season.

The defensive backfield is as impressive as you can find at any BCS school. Joe Haden, Janoris Jenkins, and Wondy Pierre-Louis will line up at corner. Haden is an incredible athlete that will be a huge factor in pass defense. The free safety position will be between Major Wright and Will Hill. Wright is a punishing hitter that is a terror in the open field. Look for Meyer to rotate the backs so he can get Hill on the field. Ahmad Black will roam the field at strong safety and looks to increase his interception total from last season.

The Swamp opens up for Charleston Southern, Troy, Tennessee, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, FIU, and the season finale against Florida State. The Gators have to travel to face Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, and South Carolina. They will face Georgia in Jacksonville as well.

The Gators have too much talent to not win. The only thing that worries me about the Gators is how much they will miss Percy Harvin. With so many starters returning from last season the Gators look experienced and prepared for the big game situations they will face.  They Gators end the regular season 12-0.

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