A Game By Game Preview: 2008 Florida Gators

Hawaii (8/30)

The Warriors come into Gainesville at the end of this month to take on the Gators. This game could have had so many more implications than it does now, and it did until June Jones left for Southern Methodist.

Gator fans around the country won't ever forget Jones and his politicking for Colt Brennan--not that he did it, just the way he went about calling Tebow a "system QB." Gator Nation would have loved for Jones and Brennan to come to the Swamp for some payback, but it's just not in the cards for this season.

Aside from the controversy not-to-be, the biggest disadvantage Hawaii encounters will be a mixture of time and humidity. The game is scheduled for 12:30 pm EST; that's 6:30 am Hawaii time. Now I know that they are used to traveling extensively throughout the season and I know that they might spend the whole week in Gainesville prior to the game, but that could still wear on them. Humidity is another factor. Hawaii is indeed hot and I know that humidity is used as a "scare tactic" for the SEC's favor, but it's true. A 12:30 kickoff in the Swamp will be no day at the beach.

Offensive Player of the Game (OPG): Tim Tebow. He will probably go for 5+ TD's himself.

Deffensive Player of the Game (DPG): Jermaine Cunningham. I see him getting off the ball very early and disrupting Tyler Graunke and the Warrior offense that only returns four starters (and only one on the offensive line.)

UF 55 UH 10

Miami (9/6)

An old rivalry renewed--again. ESPN's Gameday crew will be in town for the Battle for the Seminole War Canoe (the only authentic one in the world, in fact, according to Miami) scheduled to start at 8:30pm.

The last time these esteemed programs faced off in the regular season, Miami got the best of the Gators in Coral Gables with a tremendous second-half comeback. It is completely true that Miami has not only owned the Gators in recent years, but quite handily.

With "The U" limping in off a less-than-sterling 2007 season, with no QB and a throng of younger players (some of whom are in trouble with the law or school), this game will probably go in the Gators' favor, making Urban Meyer 21-1 in the Swamp.

This is no gimme though as rivalry games prove to be a whole new ball game. With passion and bragging rights for the State of Florida at stake, Miami can certainly make this interesting.

OPG- The TE's. Ingram and Gonzales will be able to tear open holes in Miami's secondary.

DPG- Brandon Spikes. The Monster in the Middle will probably wreak havoc on a young Miami Offense.

UF 34 UM 17

@ Tennessee (9/20)

This is the Gator's first (and let's face it, only) road test. One thing going in UF's favor is the time. The Gators have a bye-week before the game for the first time in a long time. Also, it is slated to be a 3:30pm game which bodes well for the Orange and Blue. And night game anywhere in the SEC is tough, but with 100,000+ UT fans screaming Rocky Top can send chills down even a Swiss Guard's spine.

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