Odds to Win 2008 SEC Football

The SEC is once again loaded with great teams. Georgia, LSU, Auburn and Tennessee all join the Gators in the Preseason Top 25. However, look for Florida to once again prevail and win the SEC. This is a team loaded with speed and athleticism at every position, starting with quarterback Tim Tebow.

Tim Tebow returns after putting up eye-popping numbers in 2007. The Heisman winner not only threw for 3,286 yards and 32 touchdowns but he also lead the Gators in rushing yards (895) and scored 23 touchdowns on the ground. Look for Tebow to dominate through the air just as much in 2008. However, don’t expect Tebow to carry the ball as much. Yes, Tebow will still run the football at times but the Gators will turn to either Cameron Newton or John Brantley to run from the quarterback position. Both are big runners and will be used like Tebow was in 2006. Urban Meyer wants to take a lot of Tebow’s shoulders to limit the risk of injuries and fatigue late in the season. It also helps that the Gators have a ton of excellent running backs.

Look for the running back position to be vastly improved for the Gators. Kestahn Moore and Emmanual Moody seem to be the “power backs” of the group. Although they both have great speed look for these two to be used in short yardage situations and when the Gators enter the red zone. Red-shirt freshman Chris Rainey could easily emerge as the Gators’ featured back. Rainey has great speed, athleticism and vision – all the makings of a great running back. Rainey could not only emerge as the Gators’ number one back, but also could be an All-American at the position. He has great upside and look for him to post huge numbers in his first season. Punt and kick returner Brandon James will also provide depth at the position. Don’t be surprised if he takes the third down duties and look for him to be used in long yardage situations and he will be great for draws and screen plays.

Percy Harvin returns for another season for the Gators and look for him to be a Hesiman favorite by season’s end. The speedster will be used in many different ways this year for the Gators. Not only will he be the featured wide receiver, as he led the Gators in catches and receiving yards, but look for Harvin to carry the ball around five to seven times per game. Harvin rushed for 764 yards, which was second on the team behind Tebow, and also rushed for six touchdowns. Harvin will be all over the field this year and look for him to have a Heisman-type year.

Joining Harvin at wide out will be Louis Murphy and Riley Cooper. Both have excellent speed and will help provide Florida will even more weapons. Junior college transfer Carl Moore will give Tebow a big target to throw to. Look for Moore to catch many balls once the Gators enter the red zone. Florida also has two great passing catching tight ends. Cornelius Ingram, who was an All-SEC tight end, will be sidelined early in the season due to an injury. It is uncertain when he will return. However, the Gators still have sophomore Aaron Hernandez. The Florida coaches love the upside and play making ability this kid has. Look for him to post great numbers in Ingram’s absence.

The fallout of the 2007 Gators was their young and inexperienced defense. However the talent level was never questioned. With another year of experience added to this unit look for it to do big things in 2008. It is full of hard-hitters and speed.

Upfront defensively look for the Gators to start Carlos Dunlap and Jermaine Cunningham at the ends. Dunlap has showed excellent speed and explosiveness from the end position. Cunningham had a great ’07 campaign, as he recoded 12 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. These two could be the best duo of ends in the nation. Look for junior Troy Epps and freshman Matt Patchan to start at the tackle positions. The Florida coaches believe they have great depth on the line. Look for this group to get a lot of pressure on the quarterback and help the secondary force many turnovers.

Florida returns all three starting linebackers from a year ago. Junior Brandon Spikes will lead things at the middle linebacker position. Spikes was second in the SEC in tackles last year, recording 131, 16 of which were behind the line of scrimmage. Dustin Doe and A.J. Jones will start at the outside backer positions. Doe was second on the team in tackles, behind only Spikes. Jones on the other hand showed great abilities on his freshman season and could be the most underrated linebacker in the SEC heading into the season. Look for Jones to do big things.

Florida’s secondary was by far the negative of the 2007 team. However, three starters return and will be playing this season with a chip on their shoulder’s. Joe Haden, Wondy Pierre-Louis and Major Wright look to make this secondary one of the best in the SEC. Wright recorded 67 tackles from the safety position and looks to do a lot more in the passing game come 2008. Dorian Munroe looks to be the safety along side Wright. This secondary forced only 11 interceptions last year, but look for that number to nearly double this season.

There was no doubt that the Gators were a defense away from playing for another National Title in 2007. However, it looks like with another year of experience this defense is ready to take that next step. The improved defense along with the best offense in the country makes this team the team to beat in the SEC. The Gators do go away from the Swamp to play Tennessee, Arkansas, Georgia and Vanderbilt. However, with their explosive offense look for Florida to win all those games. Georgia, preseason number one, looks to be their biggest test, but don’t think the Gators forgot about the Dawgs team celebration in the end zone. They smell payback and look for Tebow to have a huge game. LSU and South Carolina look to be the tough home games. But as we all know, no one will beat Tim Tebow and the Gators on their home field. Florida will win the SEC in 2008.

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