GreyFox starts his SEC breakdown with the Florida Gators

Since Urban Meyer’s arrival, the Gators have compiled a 70-16 record, with a daunting 19-1 home mark. After an opening 8-3 regular season in ’05, Meyer took Ron Zook’s prize recruiting class to a National Title in ’06. Last season ended with a disappointing bowl loss to Michigan, but the Gators are bringing back a Heisman Trophy winner along with 15 potential starters from that squad, and seem to have a favorable schedule.

The one constant at Florida is very strong….Charlie Strong. This Defensive Coordinator has continually fielded one of the top rushing defenses in the country. His defenses alone will keep this team in contention for the SEC East title. Meyer further strengthened the defensive side of the ball with the addition of Dan McCarney as Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line. McCarney was the 2004 Big XXII Coach of the Year after guiding a tough Iowa State team that produced one of only two bowl wins there since 2000. Look for a repeat of the ‘06 unit that held foes to 20 points or less in 9 of eleven regular season contests, and shut Ohio State down completely in the National Title Game.

Dan Mullen calls the plays as the offensive coordinator, and he has held that position under Meyer at Bowling Green and Utah. There is no questioning the talents of quarterback Tim Tebow. He is a tremendous player, but games in which he was banged up last year, Florida really struggled. He cannot take the repeated hits that this system produces with the magnitude of running needed from the QB position. Perhaps Meyer will continue to adapt his flashy offense to get the ball into the hands of USC transfer Emmanuel Moody. The 2006 Sporting News Offensive Freshman of the Year sat out last season for the transfer, and should be coming out with all pistons firing. While most pollsters have cast the top rating this year to the Georgia Bulldogs, it’s Florida, with the slightly easier schedule, and less off-season drama, which may prevail out of the East, and contend for the National Title.