Florida Gators Football: Can They Be Beat?

Florida.

That is really all that needs to be said rolling into the 2009 College Football season.  The defending champs are simply loaded for bear. 

The real question is whether they can be beat?

In this year's preseason it will be hard to find a single publication that will not have Florida as their No. 1 team.  And if they don't, they will likely be No. 2. 

I'll never discount the fact, yes fact, that this is a loaded and ready Florida team. 

But this entry is about how, and if, Florida can be beat.  I'll try to break down the 'leaks' in this incredible football team.

1. SEC:  Argue all you want, but this is the best conference in College Football today.  As painful as that is to type, it is more painful for Florida fans.  Following up a National Championship season is not easy in the SEC.  Much less being a defending SEC champion.  Without a doubt the Gators have a mark on their back in the SEC that would prove to be a mighty pelt to be had by any opponent.  In a nutshell, they will get everybody's best effort in conference play; and then some.  Running through the SEC undefeated, including the SEC championship, is just a tad tough.  I'll leave it at that.
2. Percy and Murphy:  As often injured as Percy Harvin was in College, he was a one man wrecking crew in last years National Championship game.  Louis Murphy was the 'go to' guy out of last year's Gator WR corps.  The real question is how they replace these two studs?  If there is a weakness on this Gator squad it starts with the WR position.  They are talented as all get out, but they do not have a proven star to lead them.  They bring in the super fast and super stud recruit in Andre Dubose to replace Percy, but how ready can a true freshman be?  Looking throughout the Gator depth chart, this is a surprisingly 'missing' bunch.  Carl Moore, Deonte Thompson, David Nelson?  Honestly, none of those guys scare any SEC defensive coordinator.  Percy and Murphy will be a big hit to the Gator offense.
3. Defense:  The SEC is built around defense.  More importantly, defenses that are built around stopping the run and locking down on the edge.  In 2008, Florida proved to be one of the nation's best.  With ALL 11 starters returning, Gator faithful are pumped up for what is sure to be one of, if not the best, defensive units in the entire nation.  However, they are short on height.  Especially in the secondary.  Haden, Wright, Black, and Jenkins are all stud cover guys down the field.  The real question is how effective are they within eight yards of the line of scrimmage?  Any coach looking to expose this Gator defense will need some big WR's and/or TE's.  LSU definitely has that mix. 
4. Schedule:  LSU on the road looks to be the speed bump.  But it won't be LSU that trips up Florida.  It might be that off week in games on the road against South Carolina or Kentucky.  At Mississippi State could be daunting if they sleep walk into that contest.  But if I were to pinpoint a game, it would be Arkansas at home between the sandwich games of @ LSU and @ MSU.  Arkansas hasn't proven to be that feisty with Florida in the SEC as of yet, but Petrino is a good coach and his trigger man just might be ready for this one come mid-October.
5. History:  Only five teams have repeated as National Champions over the past 50 years.  Any team that earns a single National Title encounters some good fortune during the season.  For that to happen, two years in a row, is not only lucky but a measure of greatness as well.  Is Florida that kind of team?  All signs point towards yes, but we have also seen many a "Greatest of All Time" team fall on their face more than a couple of times.  This decade in particular. 

Without any doubt, this years Florida team has to be respected.  They are a deserving favorite before the season starts, and have a ton of great pieces to the puzzle that are championship worthy.  They also have this guy named Tebow or something. that I heard is a pretty good leader.

Can the Gators be beat?  Sure.  Will they?  Good question.  I think they lose one by default. 

Why?

The final chink in the Florida armour is that they have never finished a season undefeated.  In their three National Title seasons they have relied upon good luck and fortune that other teams have lost to put them in a position to win it all.

Will that good luck and fortune hold true in '09?  The odds are against these mighty Gators. 

Then again, they could prove to something pretty special.