SEC Previews: Tim Tebow's Health, Defense Key to Florida Gators Season

SEC East No. 2: Florida Gators

2007 Results and Offseason

The Gators started out 4-0 before they were stunned by unranked Auburn in the Swamp for head coach Urban Meyer's first home loss. Quarterback Tim Tebow had a record-setting year on the way to becoming the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy. Meyer brought in another stellar recruiting class heavy on the lines and the secondary, where the Gators struggled last season. The injury bug has hit the Gators in fall practice, though, with five players out with ACL injuries.

2007 Record: 9-4 (5-3)
Ret. Starters: 15
Ret. Lettermen: 51
Offense: PPG 38.1 (1st) RYPG 186.1 (3rd) PYPG 250.4 (3rd)
Defense: PPG 28.0 (7th) RYPG 114.6 (1st) PYPG 256.6 (11th)

Offense (7RS 23RL)

Meyer's offense revolves around Tebow and his ability to run and pass the ball. To be as effective this year, though, Tebow has to stay healthy and limit the blows he takes. Look for backup Cam Newton to get a lot more snaps than last year to spell the Heisman Trophy winner and save his body for the grueling SEC schedule. The Gators did not have an every down back last year, but Meyer hopes that changes this year with USC transfer Emmanuel Moody now available.

Redshirt freshman Chris Rainey impressed during the spring game as well and will see action. Sophomore Mon Williams, coming off knee surgery in '07, and senior Kestahn Moore provide depth. Percy Harvin is listed as a wide receiver, but he was Florida's second leading rusher last season behind Tebow. The junior may miss early season action as he is coming off heel surgery in the spring. Redshirt freshman Deonte Thompson could fill Harvin's role early on as a quick playmaker. Other leading receivers should be senior Louis Murphy, who caught 37 balls last season, and junior college transfer Carl Moore. Tight end Cornelius Ingram went down with an ACL injury this fall. Sophomore Aaron Hernandez will take over.

The O-line returns three starters from last season and gets back Phil Trautwein, who was a second-team All-SEC choice in '06. If you couldn't tell from reading this, Florida is absolutely loaded on offense from a team that finished No. 1 in points in SEC play last season.

Defense (8 RS 26RL)

The D-line must replace two starters, but Meyer is hoping his recruiting efforts the last two seasons will pay off here. Defensive end Jermaine Cunningham will be the leader of this group of talented, but less experienced starters. The linebackers return all three starters from last year and will be led by junior Brandon Spikes. Spikes led the Gators in tackles a year ago with 131 and also had 14.5 tackles for a loss and seven pass breakups. Joining him will be fellow junior Dustin Doe, who finished second in tackles a year ago. True freshman Brandon Beal was expected to contribute but tore his ACL in fall practice.

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