I don't know if it's to early to start this topic or not, but I'm so excited I have to give it a try. If needed we can always start another on. I see the Buckeye's as a pretty solid favorite and if the game would become one sided then OSU will likely be the one in front. But these Gators have proved themselves to be a strong minded bunch winning close but finding a way to win. On offense we don't have a solid running back but with Percy Harvin playing some time at running back as well as wide reciever we have gained some yards, in fact out gaining the two Arkansas backs yesterday in the SEC Championship game. Leak is an experienced QB with Tim Tebow coming in to run the ball sometimes. We have good wide recievers and are pretty deep at that position. Our weakness on offense is probably our young and not to deep offensive line. On defense we have very good players and very good speed. However we do have a bit of a depth problem all the way around on defense. After defensive lineman Ray McDonald was hurt in the SEC Championship game along with Marcus Thomas being removed from the team it rally hurt our depth and our DL was sucking air at the end of the game. Much the same situation exists at linebacker, our two backup linebackers are true freshmen. The DB's are very good with Reggie Nelson being one of the best in the country, he just doesn't mis when he comes to tackle. Ryan Smith who used the new NCAA rule that if you get a degree you can transfer without setting out a year was a real addition to this team and without him we would have likely lost one or more additional game. He is small but fast and tough and has the second most interceptions for a season in Gator history. In Urban Meyer I think we have one of the best coaches in the country and the Gators were truly blessed to get him. Hey enough for now, I think OSU has the inside track, but this Gator Bunch reminds me of the Ohio State team that upset Miame a few years ago.
Oh, get over it...geez...get your sense of humor back or take a break or ban me from the boards. It's going to be a great game and playing Fla. will be a tremendous challenge for the Buckeyes. I'm just cranky 'cuz I don't like some of the stuff I'm reading...just as you are.
I think Ohio State should be an 8 point favorite. That said....UF will get some dinged up players back ( I hope Ray Mac is healthy) and I think the heart of this team will hold steadfast and these Gators will compete if not win.
I'll try to get my sense of humor back. I saw on another board that Ohio State is a 7.5 point favorite. Sounds about right to me.
I would lay the points. Matter of fact I might just make a special trip to Vegas just to do that. Ohio State will shut down that UM offense.
Florida has two things going for it: team speed and Urban Meyer with 5 weeks preparation. Also not bad that a lot of dinged up players now get a chance to get healthy. Should be a good game. Now....what about ND's chances vs. LSU? Feelin confident Georgie?
Actually, Terry, he was gonna get tix and asked me to go...he called during the USC-UCLA game all excited that it looked like UCLA might win because he thought that meant Michigan was in, based on their poll lead. He was only interested in going if it was Michigan (why, I don't know...Fla. will make for a great game). He wanted to jump on the tix right away...I told him to save his money because Fla. was going to win and going to go...I don't know if he bought them or not.
Team speed might be a Gator advantage against a lot of teams. Against the Buckeyes they will be the slowest team on the field. Also, I believe both teams have five weeks to prepare. How can I feel confident against LSU? The Irish don't match up well at all. It is the one team in the SEC I did NOT want to play. Plus it's a home game for the Tigers. We'll show up nonetheless.
It's no doubt that the Buckeyes should be the favorite. The Fla defense might be fast, but they give up a lot of yards and on offense they don't really have a running game, they do get a lot of yards from Harvin on wr reverses and inside pitches to him. But I think no real threat at TB will hurt them. Not to mention that the Buckeyes have already faced and shutdown Penn State who had WR's every bit as fast as the Gators. But it will be interesting to see how Meyer prepares the Gators for the Buckeyes speed on offense and defense. In a close game the edge goes to the Buckeyes because they have a FG kicker and the Gators don't, this could be a big factor. Terry