Gator Bait: Tebow, Gators Thwart LSU at The Swamp

After scoring a touchdown in a 51-21 victory of the third ranked Louisiana State Tigers, Florida Quarterback Tim Tebow gave the LSU student section and sideline a nod of the head and a raising of the finger in triumph, a gesture that stretched all throughout the capacity crowd of 88,548 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, and didn't stop there.

Certainly the gesture was felt in Baton Rouge, as the route of the hometown Tigers meant more than a loss on the schedule, but was the third time that Tebow made the opposition choke on their words in terms of talking trash.

Ricky Jean-Francois, who did not play in tonight's route of his team, was the main perpetrator in this game, saying if given the chance he'd "put Tebow out of the game."

Instant comparisions were drawn too last season's Florida State game, in which Geno Hayes, Seminole linebacker, said that his team was going to "plant" Tebow.

How'd he respond?

Oh, with five total touchdowns in a stomping of the in-state rival.

And lest we forget Tennessee's verbal assault on the 2007 Heisman Award Winner. We all know how that game ended up; 30-6 in favor of the Florida Gators.

It seems as if Tebow has taken advantage of the words tossed his way, as he's added a third victim to the list of unfortunate trash-talking suspects.

Ricky Jean-Francois, a LSU defensive lineman, who didn't even travel with the team, saw not only his front four get dominated by an overpowering Florida offensive line, but also saw his linebacking core get plowed down by the ground game of Florida, as they attacked the turf with 280 rushing yards, splitting carries equally with Chris Rainey, Jeff Demps and Kestahn Moore.

With the past two performances out of the University of Florida's backfield, Florida has established a new attack in their already explosive offense—that being the running game.

With split carries between Moore, true freshman Jeff Demps and redshirt freshman Chris Rainey, the Gators ran through, around and over the Arkansas Razorbacks and LSU Tigers, dominating the trenches in both games, and flying from sideline to sideline for big gains on the ground.

That, in turn, opens up Tim Tebow and the aerial assault the Gators provide. Tebow found Harvin twice for his two passing touchdowns, the first of the two touchdown passes being a 70-yard bomb downfield which was deflected and then caught by Harvin in the third play of the game.

Tebow also rushed for that now memorable score from 2 yards out, raising his hand in triumph with an effect that pierced the Tiger faithful with an Excalibur of blue and orange dominance, and left many spectators, including myself, a bit surprised.

A team like Florida, which had been somewhat inconsistent thus far in their 2008 campaign, gave AP Poll Voters and fans alike something to look forward to.

Urban Meyer has said that his lone goal for the season is to be the fastest team in college football, and all evidence of that wish coming true burst upon the scene after Jeff Demps caught an option pitch and took it 42 yards for a score in the third.

The Gators are playing like a team on a seek and destroy mission, and it seems their targets are anything and everything in their path. They've played emotionally-fueled college football so far, and if that continues, they should widely be considered legitimate title contenders.

With a victory like this one, it gives you a chance to speculate on the forthcoming games for the Florida Gators, and with the mental attitude and mindset this team currently pertains, it should be a fun ride to finish out the rest of the season.

It looks like the gesture from Tebow might be striking not only to Baton Rouge residents and LSU fans, but SEC faithful alike. It appears the man in blue and orange is back with a vengeance.

Oh yes indeed, he's back.