2009 FLORIDA GATORS FOOTBALL PREVIEW

When you are coming off a superior season in which you went 13-1 overall, and 7-1 in the SEC Conference, you know that you have to be feeling pretty confident about the upcoming season ahead. And when you are also coming off a national championship, a title won in convincing fashion over an elite opponent, that confidence can come along with a certain amount of swagger.

florida gator football helmet

Given what the Gators have accomplished in recent years, as well as the players that will be returning to the team in 2009, the swagger is not entirely undeserved.

What’s particularly impressive about the way that the Gators marched through their 2008 schedule. Despite the fact that they did lose a game to the surprisingly good Ole Miss squad last season, the team was thoroughly dominating in every other one of its games. In fact, it was only poetic justice that the team did, in fact, manage to make its way back into the BCS championship game, as there are very few who did not think all around that the Gators were the best team in the nation.

The single most important returning player not just on the Florida Gators, and not just in the Southeastern Conference, but to any single football team in the nation, is quarterback Tim Tebow, who bypassed the chance to come out to go to the NFL following his excellent season last year. Tebow is a unique talent behind center. He doesn’t necessarily have the best arm in the nation, although it is more than capable. And he doesn’t necessarily have the quickest feet in the nation, although they are quite nimble.

However, what he does have is, likely, the best combination of the two in the nation. He is a great throwing QB. He gets good distance. He is accurate. And he can run. In addition to being the teams throwing threat, he is also the returning leader in rushing at 673 yards.

Florida Gators Football Stadium -- "The Swamp". Thanks to bjsmith at flickr.com for the picture.

Tebow should have an ample array of weapons to whom to disperse the ball, even with the departure of some of its greatest weapons in Lou Murphy and Percy Harvin., Most teams would be devastated by 2 losses such as this, and while it won’t be easy to do so, if any team is capable of transitioning to the new regime, it is the Gators. Younger receivers such as Riley Cooper and Deonte Thompson are ripe and waiting to step into roles of prominence in this offense.

Florida Gators Mascot

Ohio State Fans Watch National Championship Loss

Thanks to flickr.com/photos/bjmillican for all photos above except for #'s 2 and 7 which were are credited to flickr.com/photos/slarche; #3, credited to flickr.com/royce58 and the last one, credited to flickr.com/photos/pealco. Some rights are reserved for these photos.

However, despite all of the pomp and circumstance surrounding the offense, the real key to this team’s ability to win back to back national titles will be its defense. This special unit returns all 11 of its starters from last year’s squad, and in addition, every key defensive reserve will be back to help the U. get back to the Promised Land. And this defense is loaded with pro caliber talent up and down the lineup, including Brandon Spikes, who had 93 tackles last season, as well as secondary-leaders such as Joey Haden and Admad Black.

All told, there really is no reason to believe that the Florida Gators are not only the favorites to win the SEC Championship in 2009, but also, to repeat as BCS National Champions in 2009. The team is loaded with talent, loaded with leadership. And in fact, this team, particularly on defense, has the potential to be so good, that an undefeated season may very well be on the horizon.

If you are looking for our 2008 Florida Gators Football page, check out 2008 Florida Gators Football.

Other Florida Gators Football Pages

2007 Florida Football

Florida Gators Football History

Urban Meyer Biography

Best All-Time SEC Football Team -- ('96 Gators are a finalist)

Best SEC Football Stadium -- ("The Swamp" made the list)

Biggest All-Time SEC Football Victory

Best All-Time SEC Football Rivalry Games
All-Time Best SEC Football College -- (Florida is a finalist)

Top All-Time SEC Offensive Football Team -- (1996 Florida Gators)

Top All-Time SEC Defensive Football Player -- (Jack Youngblood)

Best All-Time SEC Football Rivalry Games

SEC Football Traditions

University of Florida Gainesville Trip

SEC Football Predictions

2008 SEC Football Tickets

Florida Gators Apparel

Florida Gators Merchandise and Gear

Florida Gators Tailgate Party Shop

Florida Gators Fathead

Florida Gators Fan Store

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What Other Visitors Have Said

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Florida Whips FSU 45-15
I watched the Gators dominate the Seminoles -- at Tallahassee -- to win the 5th straight game in this one-sided rivalry.

My real concern is for my ...

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The Florida Gators have only played 8 non-conference road games over the past 11 years. (7 of which were against FSU and 1 against Miami).

In fact,...

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The last time Chris Leak saw playing time he completed eleven of sixteen passes for eighty-eight yards,with a interception and touchdown. It was the final ...

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Heeeeerrrrreeeee COME THE GATORS!!! Our Coach he has a first name, its U-R-B-A-N, our coach he has a second name it’s M-E-Y-E-R, We love to watch him coach ...

Sorry, UF Will LOSE 2 or 3 games in 2009 Not rated yet
You forget the Gators tendencies to choke in the regular season at least once. Even the 1996 squad lost to FSU before destroying them in their bowl game,...

GAZZA Not rated yet
Trying to find if any games are on in September 2009 when i visit from ENGLAND.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Garry -- there are lots of games in Sept. Every ...

Do the Timmy Shimmy! Not rated yet
It's called the Timmy Shimmy and everyone can do it! Stand up and shake your tailfeather for the best quarterback from my hometown in dirty duval!!

TEBOW -- NFL QB? I say "yes" Not rated yet
I believe that Mr. Tebow has the will and perseverance, let alone athletic prowess, to contribute to an NFL franchise.

I see parallels with Boomer ...

Florida Stomping Gators Not rated yet
At this point in the season I honestly don't see anyone beating the Florida Gators.

Obviously being an Ohio State fan I am not a big fan because of ...

Why does everyone put Georgia in front of Florida this year? Not rated yet
You made a mistake by listing Cornelius Ingram as one of UF's weapons this year. He's out for the season and hasn't played a single game.

C'mon you ...

TEBOW DOESN'T DESERVE ALL THE BLAME Not rated yet
COACH MEYER

PLEASE READ MY EMAIL

SATURDAYS LOSS WAS NOT JUST TEBOW'S FAULT. ALL YEAR THE OFFENSIVE LINE HAS NOT BLOCKED THE DEFINSIVE LINE AND GIVEN ...

Archie Griffith Won Heisman in 1974 and 1975 Not rated yet
I believe in 1974 and 1975 there was a repeat heisman.....Archie Griffin

you need to correct that in the article.

Editor's Note: thanks for the ...

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