We all remember the play like it just happened.
Georgia QB Matthew Stafford hands the ball off to star RB Knowshon Moreno near the Florida goal line, and he jumps into the end zone for the score.
What happened next was a serious hand-smack to the Gators that would make a pimp jealous.
Suddenly, the whole Georgia team runs onto the field and begins celebrating in the Gators end zone, and star DE Derrick Harvey and his Gators teammates could do nothing but stare in anguish.
Cameras flash to Gators coach Urban Meyer, my favorite coach I might add, and he doesn't look the least enthused. Neither did Georgia coach Mark Richt once he saw that he'd made a immature mistake.
Even freshman T Trinton Sturdivant got into the act, dancing like he was auditioning for "Dancing With the Stars." It was quite an embarrassment for Florida, and Georgia too.
Mark Richt issued an apology to the Gators, but the damage was done. What started as a thing to get the momentum going in Georgia's favor ended as an offensive gesture that would get Urban Meyer's blood boiling past 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Georgia went on to win the game 42-30, and the stage was set for a dynamite meeting between these two teams for 2008.
Enter last week, when Urban Meyer announced his plans to release his book titled, "Urban's Way."
Although he didn't elaborate far on the issue last season, he made it clear how he felt about Georgia's excessive National Championship-like celebration last year.
In Urban's words, he said, "That wasn't right. It was a bad deal," and that, "It will forever be in the mind of Urban Meyer and in the mind of our football team... So we'll handle it. And it's going to be a big deal."
Whoa, nellie!
Mr. Meyer is one upset Gator, and I'm sure his football team feels exactly the same way. Talk about chalk-board material, as if the Gators needed more of that.
So it will be a showdown this November in the SEC, and I'll be salivating on that faithful day.
And so will Tim Tebow and his Heisman talents.
Let's break down the positions of Quarterback, Running Back, Wide Receiver, and Overall Defense to show why the Gators will be the ones celebrating this season, and yes Urban it will be a big deal.
Quarterback- Tim Tebow vs. Matthew Stafford
Mr. All-College America Tim Tebow wins this match-up, and he has a Heisman Trophy in his room to explain just why, but I'll elaborate anyway.
Matt Stafford is no slouch, and his 2523 passing yards and 19 touchdowns as a sophomore solidifies that. He will be even better this season, and with another year under his belt and RB Knowshon Moreno, he may throw for 3000 yards and 28 touchdowns this season.
- B/R Ticket Guide
However, Tebow had one of the most successful seasons in recent memory, passing for 3286 yards and 32 touchdowns, to only 6 interceptions. Not to mention, he won the Heisman Trophy as a Sophomore, setting a new precedent. The kid can also run the ball when the pocket breaks down, as he ran for nearly 900 yards last season.
Tebow is basically a better Michael Vick at this point, and he's downright scary.
Advantage: Florida
Running Back- Knowshon Moreno vs. Percy Harvin
After watching Knowshon Moreno last season blow up against Vanderbilt, I said to myself, "this kid is the man." That Moreno was, racking up 1334 yards off of 248 carries and scoring 14 touchdowns.
Did I mention that he did this as a freshman? A FROSH? yes, a frosh.
Moreno could be the second straight sophomore to win the Heisman this season, as he has the chance to run for 1500 yards and score 20 touchdowns. He clearly has the edge over Harvin, but when you throw in Tebow's running ability, it kind of evens this one out. Percy ran for 764 yards in 11 games last year on just 83 carries to qualify for second on the team rushing to Tebow.
His speed and agility make him very slippery for defenders, and with Tebow's running ability that defense has too much to worry about.
This one's even.
No Clear Advantage
Wide Receivers
The wide receiver position is hard to gauge in this match-up.
Florida has Percy Harvin returning, their speedster who runs trick and option plays, but also plays wide receiver. Andre Caldwell was second in receiving last year, but he is gone.
Cornelius Ingram will probably be the replacement to Caldwell, as he had a great season last year and will be improved as a primary target.
Florida has one of the top recruited wide receivers in college football, Nu'Keese Richardson. He is small and quick, similar to Percy Harvin. If he can develop quickly like Harvin did, and senior Riley Cooper can step up and improve on his 182 yard, 3 touchdown season last year, the Gators will be fine at WR.
Georgia's receiving attack will start with the senior Mohamed Massaquoi and Tony Wilson.
The departed Sean Bailey caught 39 balls for 615 yards and 5 touchdowns, and the Bulldogs hope Wilson can replace him. Massaquoi caught 32 for 491 and 4 touchdowns. With the experience Massaquoi has, he'll be sure to improve on those numbers this season, and with Michael Moore and TE Tripp Chandler, Georgia should have weapons aplenty for Matthew Stafford.
I give a small edge to the Bulldogs.
Advantage: Georgia
Defense
Last season's match-up didn't feature much defense, as the teams put up 72 points together.
Florida didn't stop a lot of teams, as they gave up 41 points to Michigan in the Florida Citrus Bowl.
In fact, the Gators gave up 31 points to Troy, 37 points to Kentucky, 31 to South Carolina and 20 to Florida Atlantic. Despite that, the Gators finished 9-4 because they had such a prolific offense. That won't change much this season. With the departure of Derrick Harvey and loss of S Dorian Munroe, the Gators may find themselves in a lot of dogfights.
Georgia faithful are excited about their Bulldogs, and for good reason. The defense gave up over 30 only three times, including games to SEC powerhouses Tennessee and Florida. Other than the fact Georgia gave up more points to Troy than Florida, the Bulldogs held Hawaii to 10 points in the Sugar Bowl.
Hawaii may have been overrated, but the Bulldogs made them look like an AAU or Division III team. CB Asher Allen will be very good to watch this year as the leader of that secondary. DT Jeff Owens will also be a player to watch for Georgia. Florida may have lost too many keys on defense, and Major Wright will not be enough to make the Gators a top-flight defense.
I hand the advantage to Georgia.
Advantage: Georgia
Intangibles- Florida Offense and Anger From Last Season vs. Georgia Solidarity and Fallout From Last Year's Game
This game will be good. Have I said that already? Well if not, I'll say it again. This will be good television, and cause for a November 1st Tailgate at the 'ole apartment with the guys.
Making Urban Meyer angry was a bad move by Mark Richt, and he knows it. That's why he again is apologetic and acting as if he didn't know that his players actions after that TD on that Saturday afternoon weren't going to set the Gators off.
With that said, the extra motivation is all the Boys from the Swamp needed to swiftly kick Georgia where it doesn't rain.
Although the Bulldogs are more balanced on both sides of the ball, the Gators are too much on offense and Tebow will burn this team to shreds. The score will be close, something like 38-34, but I like the Gators chances, and at the end of that Saturday afternoon I believe they will be celebrating.
Freedom at last Urban, freedom at last. And a SEC upset, too.
As Fall Out Boy said in the song, "Saturday", "I can't sleep in the wake of Saturday." Well Pete Wentz, neither can Urban Meyer.
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3 months ago
Good write up, but are you have the receivers and running backs thing all wrong. Florida has one of the best receiving corps in the country.
First, they have All-everything Percy Harvin. They also have two pro-caliber tight ends in Ingram and Hernandez (#1 recruited TE in his class). Then they have Cooper and Murphy who were both reliable deep threats when healthy last year. To that unit they added the #1 junior college wide receiver in Carl More (who is 6'4" with speed) and Deonte Thompson (another speedster), who redshirted last year. Also, Urban Meyer said he might use the fastest player in college football, Chris Rainey, as a 3rd receiver. Florida literally could field TWO five-wide formations worth of 4 and 5 star receivers.
On the other hand, Georgia's primary weakness is considered their receiving corps. I've heard many commentators lament that Stafford would be better if he had someone to throw the ball to. I think most Georgia fans will agree that Florida clearly has the better receivers and tight ends.
As to running backs, Georgia clearly has the advantage with a proven RB (Percy Harvin is not even technically a running back). But as far as overall running game (including WRs and QB), Florida has the better rushing attack (Florida averaged over 20 yards more per game rushing than UGA). Florida should be even better at running the ball this year with the additions of Emmanuel Moody (Pac 10 frosh of the year), Rainey (fastest player in CFB), and Mon Williams (who would have been the starter last year, but for his season-ending injury).
So here our the rankings:
1. QB - Florida. Not even close. (Stafford may close the gap some by October, but Tebow is the same age and should show similar improvement).
2. RB - Georgia. But this is misleading because Florida uses Tebow and Harvin to run the ball a lot and they add three quality RBs to the lineup. As it is, Florida still outrushed Georgia last year by more than 20 yards per game.
3. WR - Florida. Not even close.
4. Defense - Georgia. Not even close. Hopefully Florida can close the gap by October if the freshmen they are counting on step up (Hunter and Hill).
5. Intangibles - Slight edge to Florida. UGA has the momentum and confidence from last year. Florida has the double revenge factor (from the celebration and the loss). Both have great coach's who have beaten each other. I give a SLIGHT edge to UF because UGA plays LSU the week before. I think UGA will be banged up after a physical match up with LSU.
3 months ago
To add to your and my analysis:
6. Offensive line - Edge Florida because Florida had 3 returning starters and Georgia has 4 new guys.
7. Special teams - Florida. UF has an extremely good punter and punt coverage (had only 5 punts returned all year for a total of 22 yards) and the best punt/kick returner in the SEC in Brandon James. Georgia has a solid special teams, but does not have as good of punter or punt returner. Both teams have freshman kickers.
3 months ago
Good comment Nick, I see where you're coming from. I'm just scared that Florida had too many young receivers, while Georgia has a couple of seniors to count on. Florida always has fast, young talent and they will undoubtedly have someone come from nowhere seemingly, but I don't know who. Stafford will be able to depend on those receivers and TE this season, just watch.
Also, Percy may not be a RB, but he was second to Tebow in rushing yards, so he has to be mentioned there. Moreno is great, but the offense Tebow runs will give him and Harvin many chances to pile up the yards, and therefore Florida will be very formidable on the ground, just as Moreno will be.
3 months ago
As Nick Mentioned, you've got RB and WR flipped. Moreno and King will be lighting up your D this year and it won't even be close. Our WR corp wasn't bad last year and should be much better this year We've got some quality kids coming up the ranks and with another year of working with Stafford, they should be a solid group.
Even if your D improves some, and how could it not, our D is also going to be improved and we all know that defenses win championships. I think you have way too many holes right now to expect much of an improvement on D.
Tebow and Stafford is going to be interesting. I think the world saw the chinks in Tebow's armor last year and unless your new running backs improve over the spring, then he's still going to be one of your featured backs. That will take its toll as it did last year. Defenses will start to adjust to Tebow's style and take what was learned last year to slow down Superman. Stafford on the other hand is set to take that next quantum leap that many QBs do from 2nd to 3rd years. If that happens, and our WRs step up production, watch out.
Two things that do not work in Florida's favor, 1) Angry does not = focused. 2) Revenge games just don't work out to well. I know that Urban is going to get a lot of mileage out of 'the celebration', but if he focuses on it too much UF will lose site of their other games and being properly prepared for our game. I watched too many 'angry' Georgia teams take the field against UF over the years to end up beating themselves in the end.
All in all this is going to be a great game and should be one for the ages. Florida won't be in our heads for the first time in a long time. Here's to two healthy teams meeting up on Nov. 1st, and may the best team win. I just hope the zebra's stay out of it. What do you bet Pen and his crew won't be anywhere near Jacksonville this year? I for one hope not.
Bob
from 3 months ago
Florida has the better overall rushing attack (200 ypg versus 177 ypg), better QB), better QB (expect a similar leap from Tebow's 2nd to 3rd year) and far better special teams.
It basically comes down to whether UGA's offense catches up to UF's offense by November and whether UF's defense catches up UGA's defenses by November
3 months ago
er......Sean Bailey graduated last year FWIW...
G.A.T.A.!!!!....... R.I.P. UGA VI.
3 months ago
er...... Mikey Henderson graduated last year also...FWIW...
G.A.T.A.!!!!!.......... R.I.P. UGA VI.
3 months ago
Thanks Dallas...you're right, I got that confused
3 months ago
Anyone who understands Urban Meyer knows that he will not focus his team's Nov. 1 match-up around a celebration of a team desperate for a spark and a win over the Gators. Meyer is only thinking of two-a-days and Hawaii right now and will be sure to have his team focused week to week. Don't expect any on-the-field antics in Jacksonville. Meyer and the Gators have too much class to even think about putting on an embarrassing spectactle. Instead, expect an outstanding performance by an outstanding football team as the Gators put the Bulldogs spirit further down into the ground than their previous mascot.
Moreno may be a Heisman contendor, but don't expect a Heisman performance on Nov. 1 as the Gators "know" all about "Knowshon" and his talent. Expect the Gators to stack the box against a fairly new Georgia offensive line as they dare Stafford to beat them with his arm. A repeat of last year will not be in the cards for Georgia, as they can cancel their trip to Atlanta that evening.
The Gator defense will be far above average when they take the field. The corners are already playing more aggresive defense and the safety positions will be settled in by then after already having faced 5 SEC teams. The linebackers will be solid with Brandon Spikes leading the way and Dustin Doe punishing anyone running his way. Ryan Stamper will be much improved along with the new faces of linebackers Florida has brought in. Watch out for Carlos Dunlap and Justin Tratou as they will be hampering the passing game by pressuring Stafford all game long. And don't worry about the DTs. Florida will be strong inside after spending the entire offseason and first 7 games working on depth and technique.
It will be a great first quarter until Florida runs away with it. Expect Florida to leave with a higher number on the left side of the column as Georgia drops to 2nd in the SEC East.
from 3 months ago
Agreed. I don't think it will be close this year. Georgia is not built to play from behind. They are a grind it out team. If Florida gets ahead by a couple of scores, its over.
from 3 months ago
Gulp gulp gulp... All good cool-aid.
3 months ago
was it worse than the 44-0 beatdown in the 80's?
was it worse than the beating the gaytors took at the hands of worley and henderson?
3 months ago
florida has much better receivers and no comparision to to knowshow. that was the first clue you wrote clueless matter.
and timmy is no michael vick. he is really larry csonka who gets a lot of carries.
-18 mean anything?
from 3 months ago
Clueless matter John? Florida's receivers WILL be better with a little time, their young and don't have a lot of experience while Georgia has a couple of upperclassmen who've been there. That's why I gave a SMALL edge to Georgia. As far as Knowshon, the running ability of Tebow combined with the speed off of the edges of Harvin and other Florida receivers, they will keep up in the running game with the Bulldogs. Moreno is one person, he's really good but Florida has a lot of guys that can hurt you with the ball in their hands.
And Tebow isn't Larry Csonka you dumb-@ss, he has a great arm and is a lefty just like the former Virginia Tech star, you guessed it Michael Vick.
-18 mean anything? No, but silly bleacherreport posters who criticize others work by using terms like "clueless matter" and "clue" in the same sentence does.
from 3 months ago
We've got Moody. The Pac10 frosh of the year. He is very comparable to Moreno. He may not quite measure up to what Moreno has to offer, but the Gators have more in the backfield. The Gators averaged more rushing yards per game last year and they add Chris Rainey, Emmanuel Moody, and Mon Williams. The advantage definitely goes to the Gators on this one.
I'll take Percy Harvin, who averages over 9 yards a carry, Tim Tebow and all of the RBs that Florida adds this year over Moreno and King.
3 months ago
If Georgia needed a childish endzone celebration to beat a team with an injured Tebow and a mostly freshman and sophomore defense, what will they need to beat a team with a healthy Tebow and a more mature defense?
3 months ago
Ga will beat the Gators and Urban Meyer. Mark Richt's in Urban's head. If he cried after that loss to LSU, what effect will last year's loss and the perceived slap to the face of this man have, Rage? The dawgs will out coach the gators and we have a much better defence. Ga starts a winning streak.
from 3 months ago
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/40112-florida-gators-third-down-defense-will-determine-2008-success
3 months ago
I'm going to wait til the season starts. I want to see Florida's new and Improved D for myself. I just think the combo ground/aerial assault will be too hard to stop concurrently. Hopefully Bobo is coming up with my fav kind of offense: Cheap, passing for short yardage and hand offs to backs out of screen type situations once 3 or 4 guys are past him:)
Of course passing for long yardage is good too....it's just that the quick and dirty passes to the flats are such a pain for a D to have to account for in addition to running and deep pass threats
3 months ago
I'm going to wait til the season starts. I want to see Florida's new and Improved D for myself. I just think the combo ground/aerial assault will be too hard to stop concurrently. Hopefully Bobo is coming up with my fav kind of offense: Cheap, passing for short yardage and hand offs to backs out of screen type situations once 3 or 4 guys are past him:)
Of course passing for long yardage is good too....it's just that the quick and dirty passes to the flats are such a pain for a D to have to account for in addition to running and deep pass threats
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