Tim Tebow will return. Told ya so! Check FanHouse for details.

YESSSSS.

Initial thoughts:

1) This means pre-season #1 for Florida.
2) Maybe Spikes will come back?
3) Georgia is down a QB and RB. Guaranteed W next November for Florida, continuing (essentially) the ’streak’.
4) FSU returns Bobby Bowden. Oh, joy.
5) The nucleus of a great offensive line returns.
6) Almost the entire defense returns.
7) At minimum we get Demps, Rainey, Moody, Nelson, Cooper, Thompson, James, and Hernandez back… just an embarrassment of riches on offense.
8) Tell me why we shouldn’t expect to win back-to-back BCS national championships?

To summarize, “HELLLLL YEAH!”

Beyond the excruciatingly long trip and jet lag that the Warriors must face, Hawaii and Miami actually pose some halfway decent tests for the Gators this year.

The Gator secondary has been priveledged (embarassed, maybe) to hone their skills against a spread offense that ranks amongst the best in the country. Warriors coach Greg McMackin was the defensive coordinator of the same last year, but there’s no telling if he’ll try the Run-n-Shoot offense that June Jones used.

If that is indeed the case, then Hawaii is more than just a cream puff getting a big check.

They’re the first real test of Florida’s secondary.

(more…)

One month, folks! One month, I tell ya! Okay, so it’s actually five weeks. But with Hawaii edging closer and closer, I have an overactive imagination.

From a statistical perspective, where will Tebow’s numbers stand with the greatest Gators in history? These predictions assume that Tim stays through his senior year and plays 26-28 games in his two remaining seasons.

Starting with the most important left arm in Gainesville.

Passing

Career yards: Tim already has 3,644 in two seasons (358 as a freshman, 3,286 as a sophomore) Regardless of his PR with students, Chris Leak leads with 11,213.

Thus, in order to break his record, Tim will need to average 3,785 yards over his next two seasons. Which probably isn’t happening, especially not in the SEC. And throwing an average of 3,616 to pass Danny Wuerffel (10,875) for second doesn’t look all too feasible, either.

However, with two good 3,000-yard seasons, he could very well pass Shane Matthews for 3rd on the list. And he only needs 2,761 each year to pass Rex Grossman for 4th. In other words, barring injury, he is a near lock to be one of the Gators’ five greatest passing QBs, but that’s not all.

Remember, Leak and Wuerffel were four-year starters. So Tebow’s place on this list is all the more impressive considering the year he spent as Leak’s understudy.

Touchdowns: Wuerffel is first with 114 bombs, and Leak is a distant second with 88. Tebow has 37 in two years, including 32 last season. Rex Grossman and Shane Matthews have 77 and 74.

He’ll need to throw 34 over each of the next two seasons to pass DW, which is a stretch. But he only needs 52 (26 each year) to pass Leak for second, which is realistic.

I call 2nd place when it’s all said and done. Remember, Wuerffel had four years.

Efficiency: He hasn’t had enough completions yet, but it’ll be a close one between him and Wuerffel.

What the heck, he’ll probably finish on top. Thirty-two touchdowns to only six interceptions speaks for itself.

Interception percentage: Leak has the lowest number with 2.88%. Tebow’s in really good shape with 1.83%, even without the 500 attempts. He’s doing so well that he could have 4 more picks and still remain on top.

Maybe my vision is faulty, but I just don’t see him not finishing on top. After all, he’s never had multiple interceptions in a single game.

And now for something completely different. Something all you chaps will love.

Rushing

Yardage: Whaddaya lookin’ at me for? He’s already UF’s career leader in rushing yards by a QB! (Really.)

He’s got 1,364 through two seasons. At that rate, Errict Rhett (4,163) is hopelessly out of reach. He’ll need 796 to pass Jimmy DuBose for 10th. Otherwise, he ain’t makin’ a serious dent at the record.

Thank goodness. It’s about time somebody made a ruckus about it!

Touchdowns: Entirely different story. He’s broken the plane so many times on the ground that he’s already tied with Fred Taylor for fourth on the career list. Yes, that Fred Taylor.

He only needs two more scores to tie Earnest Graham for 3rd, three more to match Rhett for 2nd, and six to break Emmitt Smith’s record of 36. Since he still has at least two dozen games left in his Florida career, he’ll likely break the record by the time he graduates, even with the Gators’ tailback problem solved.

And chances are good that he’ll break it this year.

Yup, that’s it for rushing. All together now!

Rushing and passing

Yardage: It’s no accident that Florida’s top four passers are also their top four yardage gainers. Chris Leak leads with 11,350, Danny Wuerffel has 10,500, Shane Matthews has 9,241, and Rex Grossman has 9,031. Tebow is 10th with 5,008.

With two good 3,000 yard seasons, look for him to pass Wuerffel for 2nd and pose a serious threat to Leak’s record soon afterward.

Touchdowns: Wuerffel has 122 (114 pass, 8 rush), Leak has 101 (88 pass, 13 rush), Grossman 83 (77 pass, 6 run), and Matthews 82 (74 pass, 7 run, 1 receiving)

Guess who’s in fifth and poised to beat the last two guys this season? Yup, he could finish at the top of this list if he gets 55 more by his last game.

Conclusion: Are you thinking what I’m thinking?

With two years like these, it’s bound to happen.

After Florida fans (and LSU, Georgia et al.) watched the pastings that the Gators and Tigers gave Ohio State, they saw the reputation of the Southeastern Conference validated on the BCS stage.

However, I want to look at some basic assumptions that fans of SEC schools have as a whole. Mark my words, this probably isn’t going to be the last post that I do on the subject.

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With countless media pundits predicting that University X or College Y will win the national title, I feel compelled to write about various sports dynasties throughout history as it relates to this season of Gator football. More specifically, this is a discussion of the life and (somewhat far away) death of Urban Meyer’s juggernaut.

Much has been made of Tim Tebow’s stiff arm through the Gator record books; conversely, after his graduation, much will be made of the beginning of the end of the Gators’ greatness.

However, after Tebow takes his last snap in a Florida uniform, I feel that the program is in good hands. Some may make this out as heresy, but think for a moment.

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While the Gridiron Gators are faster, their basketball counterparts are stronger.

One of the worst-kept secrets in Gainesville this offseason has centered on the formerly top-ranked freshman class. Nick Calathes weighed in at almost 200 pounds before going to Greece, and wants to gain at least five more. Jai Lucas gained 12 pounds to go to 160, even more pronounced given the 8% increase in mass. Alex Tyus and Adam Allen have also reported growth. Alas, no one has gained more than Chandler Parsons, who could enter his sophomore season 20 pounds heavier and 1 inch taller at a Lamar Odom-esque 6-10 and 225. Not to mention, he’s got all of the tools for a very good sophomore season.

And that gives Billy Donovan a delightful problem.

You see, incoming freshman Eloy Vargas is currently recorded at 6-10 and 210. He’s also one of the top power forwards from the high school class of 2008. And he’s been viewed by most of the Gator faithful as one-half of the solution to Florida’s paint problem.

So if the coach goes with a backcourt of Jai Lucas, Walter Hodge, and Nick Calathes, who starts at 4 and 5? Kenny Kadjii, whose frame resembles Speights’s, is almost a no brainer, which leaves Vargas and Parsons potentially battling over a start. But if he gives Nick Calathes the keys to the point guard spot full time, and starts Walter Hodge at shooting guard, how does he handle the frontcourt? A trio of Parsons, Vargas, and Kadjii would be long, but still potentially vulnerable to thick bruisers. Alex Tyus is a power forward in a small forward’s body. Oh yeah, don’t forget about Dan Werner.

The coach will likely have the answer figured out as best as he can by the time the season starts, but there is one factor in Parson’s favor.

In his limited minutes last season, Parsons handled the ball very, very well. If he grows into a power forward’s body but retains his small forward skills, he could create a mismatch for opposing defenses, taking the ball inside, shooting from three-point land, or passing the ball to an open man outside. And that could be good news to a Gator team seeking a star to complement Calathes.

Looking back three years, Florida entered the 2006 season losing its best low-post player, David Lee, to the NBA draft. When it was all said and done, the hoops Gators hoisted their first championship banner.

Might this be a sign?

The data I found on last year’s hoops team was fascinating. Chandler Parsons was the most productive player not named Speights or Calathes? Who would have guessed?

Dr. Berri’s methodology opens a whole new insight into statistics and results. So I decided to continue my research into Florida basketball. Feel free to correct me if any figures are inaccurate.

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With the NFL draft just nine days away, it’s time to pay homage to the junior DE’s career.

As one of the last recruits of the Ron Zook era, Harvey was one of the most highly touted prospects at the front four in ‘04. Four years later, not much has changed. With one redshirt season, SEC title, national championship, and defensive MVP on his belt, he’s projected to go high in the first round.

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The Gator defense has improved to our liking. The front four, led by Carlos Dunlap, pressured Tim Tebow and Cam Newton all day. The secondary has also made strides. But what about the fellas in the middle? (more…)

Okay, Florida fans, put on your Gator-colored classes.

It’s April 1. Florida has just beat Massachusetts. While the college basketball world fixates on the other Final Four, Florida quietly prepares for its last game - they are 40 minutes away from hoisting another banner in the O’Connell Center.

At the risk of looking ahead, let’s look at the potential finals matchups if UF does win.

#1: Florida vs. Ohio State

I’m not quite sure what to make of this. On the one hand, I’m supposed to be laughing until I fall over in my seat and hiccup uncontrollably. After all, they are “The” Ohio State University. The same Ohio State University that lost to Florida in football, Florida in basketball, and LSU in football again.

But on the other hand, I’m starting to get really sick and tired of seeing these guys *all* the time. There’s supposed to be parity, people! But then again, that means that I’m supposed to critize my own school for their national championship sandwich. Case closed.

The story lines are fairly obvious: In just 18 months, the Buckeyes have become the Buffalo Bills of college sports. Every single time, they win all the big games and appear to be set up for a national title. And every time, they end up falling apart miserably while the SEC shows why its initials could stand for “The Super Ego Conference” A win, even in the NIT, could finally silence their critics. But then again, maybe it won’t. What about the other big games?

#2: Florida vs. Ole Miss

Surprised? These are the same Rebels that beat Florida in the third game of the SEC season by a basket. At the time, the loss was just a bump in the road for 15-3 Florida, and the Gators went on to win their next three games. However, UF went 3-8 after that and proceeded to write its own rejection letter to the NCAA committee.

Much of the fascination will arise around David Huertas vs. Walter Hodge. For both, it’s their second trip to Madison Square Garden. Back then, they were on the same roster as Florida won the 2K sports Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. Both won a national championship with Florida. And both will aim for another ring on their finger.

The Rebs will look for a season sweep. The Gators will look to continue their winning ways.

Need motivation, Florida? Try these stats on for size:

*The Gators would become the first defending NCAA champion to win the NIT since City College of New York in 1950. Back then, they played in and won both tournaments. Since then, double-dipping has been disallowed so that this dominance would never happen again.

*The Gators would become the first team to win three straight nonconference postseason tournaments since the ‘67-’69 UCLA Bruins. That would make them only the second ever team in college basketball history to ever achieve the feat.

*By winning against UMass, the Gators would give Billy Donovan his first ever back-to-back-to-back 25-win seasons.

*The Gators would end the 2008 season on a high note, giving them momentum for ‘09.

Yeah, so there’s reason to take it seriously.

Tune in tomorrow when we put things back in perspective and look at the Minutemen close up.