This Florida Victory is Just Like the Rest of Them
In many ways, this was an atypical win for the Florida Gators. UF averaged 22.2 points per game in the regular season. They exploded for 38 against an Arkansas team that has allowed only 13.7 points per game since the season opener. I was expecting UF to come out throwing, but the Gators kept in on the ground with Percy Harvin. There were shovel passes and options instead of crossing routes and wide receiver screens.
As you look at the overall body of work, though, this game was a microcosm of the entire season. UF's run through the SEC has been marked with clutch fourth quarter drives by quarterback Chris Leak. He did it again today, taking the Gators 80 yards for a touchdown that made it 38-28. That was the final score.
Leak started that drive, but he didn't finish it. That's not anything new for Florida. There are so many playmakers on this team, and it has helped them get past the stellar defenses of the SEC. That 80 yard touchdown drive ended with Tim Tebow, on first and goal from the five, running left. He pitched it to Andre Caldwell. Caldwell had no room to run it in, so he threw to tight end Tate Casey for a touchdown. Three guys touched the ball on a play that went five yards. It got them seven points.
Mainly, it was UF's ability to find a way to win that made this a typical UF game. Of course, the game was in doubt. Isn't that the way it always is for the Gators? But they won it again, and much like against South Carolina, special teams was huge. Florida set a UF single season record today with its eighth blocked kick of the year when Jarred Fayson blocked a punt in the second quarter. UF's recovery in the endzone of a fumbled punt return in the third quarter changed the game completely.
There was a Reggie Nelson interception and a Ryan Smith interception. That gives the tandem 14 picks this year.
It was difficult and intense, and it was a Florida victory. This game was no different than all the other UF games this season, except for Auburn.
Regardless of where the Gators end up in January, Urban Meyer deserves a lot of credit, as does the rest of the team. The Gators played to their strengths. They spread the field and used their athletes and speed to beat opposing defenses. They relied on toughness and quickness defensively to dominate at the line of scrimmage and in the secondary.
Florida has now beaten LSU, Tennessee, Georgia, and Arkansas. That's a pretty darn good year for an SEC team. I don't care about the style points, and neither does Urban Meyer. I wasn't sure which team was the best in the SEC heading into this game, but now I'm certain it's the Florida Gators. LSU might be more talented, Tennessee might have a better quarterback, Arkansas might have the conference's best player, but the Gators are winners. More so than any other team in the SEC.
Comments
Why even consider a Florida-Michigan match-up? I hate Florida, but right is right. Florida is now the first consideration for the national championship. Michigan had it's chance. Even if Michigan is the strongest team in the nation, it does NOT deserve a replay against Ohio State.
Even if this means handing the Championship to Ohio State, Florida deserves a shot against Ohio St. Michigan does NOT. It's a no brainer, and just common decency. Michigan does not. Come on American!!! For once do the RIGHT thing!!!
Posted by: Alfred Jacoby | December 3, 2006 04:57 AM