Gators Poised to Recapture National Title, But Not Another Heisman for Tim Tebow

If I told you I knew this quarterback who played three unranked teams, threw a total of five touchdowns, and averaged 163 passing yards and 39 rushing yards, would you be impressed?

I didn't think so.

But as soon as I say Tim Tebow, the media will be dreaming up the back-to-back Heisman  trophy scenario.

Don't get me wrong, Tebow has done everything Coach Urban Meyer has asked him to do.  He has no interceptions or fumbles through three games, and more importantly, the Gators are 3-0.

Just don't let anyone tell you Tebow is going to win the Heisman again.  In fact, Tebow already told ESPN's First Take in the off-season that he would not win the Heisman.

He was simply asked if he would win it again and told to answer true or false;  Tebow, being his typically humble self, responded false.

But maybe he was being more than humble.  Maybe Tebow knew that he and Urban Meyer's strategy this season would not lead to those ridiculous numbers Tebow produced last season.

Maybe Tebow knew that Florida would use 12 players to run the ball over 60 percent of the time (104 runs, 67 passes) through three games.

So should Gator fans be worried that their hero's production has gone down?

Absolutely not.  Meyer's strategy is and will continue to be to limit the number of planned runs for Tebow in an effort to reduce the number of hits he must endure. 

Part of the reason Tebow has not run for a touchdown yet is that he has yet to run more than 13 times in one game.

And as far as the passing game is concerned, at this point it seems to be the backup plan.  Plan A is to establish the running game with Florida's numerous speedsters such as Chris Rainey, Jeffrey Demps, Percy Harvin, and now Emmanuel Moody. 

When that doesn't work, such as the Miami game, Meyer will try plan B:  Tebow will throw to all his weapons instead (11 different Gators have caught a pass this year).

I don't foresee many teams shutting down Florida's run attack, so I can't see Tebow needing to frequently gunsling the Gators to victory.

Plus, we're seeing a much improved defense from last year.  No one can complain about a unit that has recovered four fumbles, caught four interceptions, and allowed 6.33 average points through three games.

Throw in an impressive special teams unit (one blocked punt, two punt return TDs by Brandon James), and you're looking at a complete team deserving of their No. 4 ranking in the polls.

Even the schedule is promising.  The only serious threat the Gators face away from home is the Georgia game in Jacksonville.  That game will likely decide who wins the SEC East.

If the Gators win that game, the sky is the limit for this team (or maybe not, if you believe Tebow can actually fly).