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2008 Florida Football Picks & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

The success of the Florida Gators will depend on how well its defense plays. We all know the offense, led by Heisman Trophy winner TimTebow, can put the ball in the end zone. If Florida can find a pass rush and can be more consistent in the secondary under new defensive coaches Dan McCarney and Vance Bedford, a second national title in three years is not out of the question, but all signs point to the Gators having to go through a loaded Georgia Bulldogs team to get there. Find out how Jimmy Boyd has the season shaping up in his 2008 Florida Gators predictions and season preview.

Offense

The Gators lost just two starters from an offense which led the SEC in scoring and was ranked third nationally at 42.5 ppg. Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow returns as well as offensive specialist Percy Harvin who had 1,622 rushing and receiving yards despite missing two games last season. The offense figures to be a juggernaut again, but there’s a chance that a slightly different approach could hurt the Gators. Head coach Urban Meyer wants to reduce Tebow’s carries from 16 a game to 10 to try to preserve his health. He wants to utilize Kestahn Moore, Chris Rainey, Mon Williams, Brandon James, and Emmanuel Moody at the tailback position for more carries. But don’t think for a second that Meyer won’t ride Tebow again if that’s what needs to happen. Florida’s wide receiver corps is largely inexperienced, but speed kills and they do have plenty of that. Harvin will be a marked man so these youngsters will have to prove themselves in a hurry.

Defense

While Florida does have some defensive concerns, the linebacker position is not one of them. Junior middle linebacker Brandon Spikes was a first team All-SEC selection last season after recording 131 tackles – second most in the SEC. Junior outside linebacker Dustin Doe was second on the team with 85 stops. The line needs to have some playmakers emerge. The only player worrying opposing coaches right now is junior defensive end Jermaine Cunningham. The tackle position could be a mess as projected starters Torrey Davis and John Brown are dealing with academic problems. Joe Harden and Wondy Pierre-Louis will start at the corners and Major Wright will play free safety, but there is a big hole at the other safety spot. The defense wasn’t very good last season and now it will have to adapt to new coaches. This usually isn’t a good situation, but it is something that talent can atone for at times.

Special Teams

One of Florida’s biggest weapons is speed and they have that in the return game with Brandon James who led the SEC in yards per punt return. He was second in the league in yards per kickoff return as well. With seven returns of 50 yards or more, he is a big time game breaker.

Prediction – 2nd in SEC East

Florida’s spread option will once again be among the most lethal attacks in the country, but because its defense still has some question marks, I don’t think they can bite the Bulldogs. Second in the SEC East is where I have them ending up. The Gators are going to be right behind Georgia, but should be able to handle Tennessee, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt.

Check out all of Jimmy Boyd’s 2008 college football predictions articles to get a head start on the upcoming season. Jimmy Boyd does his homework before the season starts so he can beat the college football odds from day one. For the most consistent college football picks in the industry all year long, make sure you’re doing your football betting with Jimmy Boyd.

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