NCAA Football Florida Gators SEC Preview 2008: Even though the Florida Gators have an insane team for this upcoming 2008 campaign, there are a few gaps that need to be filled, and questions asked for UF to win its second National Championship Title in three years.
Here are just some of the issues Urban Meyer must address: DT’s are a huge question mark, the Offensive Line is young and inexperienced, and the DBs have to improve their play from last season. According to BetUS.com, the Florida Gators betting odds to win BCS in 2008 are 6 – 1.
In only his 4th year at the helm of the Florida Gators, head coach Urban Meyer has already managed to win a National Championship (in his second year), and is currently working on an outstanding 31-8 mark.
However, for a head coach who has had as much success has coach Meyer has in his coaching career (70-16), he must rebound from his worse season so far (9-4). Last season for the Gators was a transitional one if you will, as there were a lot of spots that needed to be filled to stay competitive in the tough SEC. The Florida Gators are +600 NCAA Football Betting odds to win SEC in 2008.
After rebuilding this team upon his arrival four years ago, last season coach Meyer face the task of replacing 9 starting defensive players and finding a perennial running back, which they failed to find. Although the absence of a decent running back affected the Gators negatively last season, it definitely helped QB Tim Tebow become the first sophomore to ever win the Heisman Trophy.
This upcoming 2008 season, the Gators can count on a great receiving core, and a promising RB in freshman Chris Rainey; but the O-line's ability to protect their Heisman winner and the backs might become an issue, due to wear and tear on upperclassmen Jim Tartt and Phil Trautwein.
Last season one of the biggest issues for Florida was their pass defense. With true freshmen learning the ropes (in the D-line and in the secondary), it’s no surprise they ended up being the absolute worse passing “D” in the SEC.
Sophomores, DE Carlos Dunlap and shutdown CB Joe Haden will look to have a positive effect for that not to happen for a consecutive time, that, along with the leadership of Junior DE Jermaine Cunningham brings to the team. However, if there's a weakest link in Florida’s defense, it is certainly in the depth at the Safety position.
