Florida Gators' Third Down Defense Will Determine 2008 Success (UPDATED!)

(SCROLL TO BOTTOM FOR UPDATE)

Flashback to fall 2007.  It's 3rd-and-12 in a close game.  Tim Tebow and the dynamic Florida offense are on the sideline.

If you're a Florida Gator fan, you're as nervous as Dick Cheney's hunting partner.

You're nervous because you know that time after time, the 2007 Florida Gators allowed teams to steal momentum by converting third downs.  No matter the yardage to be gained, the opponent somehow managed to reach the first down marker.

Not surprisingly, Florida was ranked 75th nationally in third down defense at 41.2 percent.

On the other side of the ball, Florida was the exact opposite.  The Tebow-led offense was not only the best third down team in the country at 53.4 percent, it also faced the fewest third downs (146) of any team in the country.

What does all this mean?

Well, for starters it means that Florida's third down defense was awful in 2007.  On the other hand, the offense's stats were incredible.  Not only was the offense the best on third down, it also faced the fewest number of third downs of any FBS team.

The stats show that while the UF defense has room for improvement, the offense managed to move the ball with incredible efficiency.

At least three of the Gators' four losses were due to defensive ineptitude on third down.  Unlike the 2006 title defense, the 2007 could not come through with the big plays.

What are the implications?

If the Gators have any chance at winning the SEC, the third down defense must improve.  We're not talking about a vast improvement though.

Some of the best defenses in the nation (LSU at 35.2 percent, tOSU at 33.3 percent, and Georgia at 34.6 percent, for example) were only several percentage points better than the Gators.  The difference amounts to one or two stops more per game.  

There you have it.  If the Gators offense continues its success from last season and the defense can be just a little more clutch, you could very well see Florida playing in Atlanta.

UPDATE: A 2007 Loss-by-loss Breakdown

To further illustrate the importance of 3rd down defense, I have decided to update this article with a breakdown of the Gators' losses during the 2007 season.  The Gators lost four (4) games last season and 3rd (and 4th) down defense was a large reason for these losses.  Here are the indisputable facts:

1.  Loss to Auburn 20-17

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