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The Florida Gators enter 2001 play with an astonishing 19 starters back from a team that won the 2000 SEC Championship in convincing fashion. If the Gators are able to plug holes on the offensive and defensive lines, they become the SEC team most likely to challenge for a national championship. OFFENSE Expect yet another edition of Steve Spurrier’s hectic Fun-and-Gun offense, utilizing Florida’s strengths in the wide receiver corps and at quarterback. Some inexperience on the offensive line is the only major concern. Florida’s running backs are vastly underrated. QUARTERBACKS With Steve Spurrier, you never know who is going to start, play a handful of snaps or miss a game entirely. Sophomore Rex Grossman played with maturity beyond his years in 2000, and he will share the position with fellow sophomore Brock Berlin. Grossman threw for 1,866 yards and completed 61.8 percent of his passes, but the much-hyped Berlin is a fan favorite. Who starts and who finishes each game is anyone’s guess, as the situation is equally decided by who has the hot hand and which circuits are firing in Mad Bomber Spurrier’s brain. RUNNING BACKS Although Florida ranked 10th in the conference in rushing offense in 2000, the Gators’ tailback tandem of Earnest Graham and Robert Gillespie are very underrated. Gillespie is a speed merchant of the first order, but Graham’s size and durability make him a more complete back. Longtime backup Rob Roberts was set to take over the fullback position, but missed spring practice with a knee injury. Prospect Eraste Autin passed away in late July after collapsing on the practice field during a voluntary workout. That leaves Rod Royal and Ray Snell as the options until Roberts comes back. Expect Florida to use a lot of two-tight end and three-wide sets to compensate. WIDE RECEIVERS Not many are better than Florida’s group, headlined by super sophomore Jabar Gaffney. Gaffney caught everything but the flu in 2000, racking up 1,184 yards and 14 touchdowns. Reche Caldwell gets the other nod, and his numbers (49 catches, 760 yards, 6 touchdowns) indicate a player dangerous in his own right. But Caldwell needs to minimize the mental gaffes. Junior Taylor Jacobs and sophomore Carlos Perez should see a ton of action. Aaron Walker and Kirk Wells will fight for the tight end position, with Ben Troupe also in the mix. OFFENSIVE LINE This could be Florida’s one problem area. Left tackle Mike Pearson is as good as they come, but the rest of the line is not yet settled. Sophomore Max Starks draws the other tackle assignment, with left guard Thomas Moody moving over to right guard. Shannon Snell, Erik Strange and David Kearley are still battling for the now-vacant left guard slot. David Jorgensen is back at center, but oft-injured Zac Zedalis will probably draw the eventual starting nod. A battlefield evaluation is needed before Spurrier knows exactly what he’s got up front. DEFENSE Florida’s defense has been the subject of much concern over the past two years, and defensive coordinator Jon Hoke has been the subject of much ridicule from Florida fans. The Gators were only 8th in the conference in total defense in 2000, a number that must improve. Florida will also have to replace both interior defensive tackles. DEFENSIVE LINE The biggest question marks are right up front. Tron LaFavor and either Arpedge Rolle or Ian Scott must fill the formidable shoes left by Gerard Warren and Derrick Chambers. Neither Rolle nor LaFavor have Warren’s and Chambers’ size, although LaFavor’s quickness makes him quite a handful. On the outside, Alex Brown returns and this is the year he must learn to put several good games together in a row. Clint Mitchell gets the call opposite Brown, with Kennard Ellis the top backup. JUCO transfer Bryan Savelio could make an impact somewhere. LINEBACKERS Florida rotates linebackers only slightly less often than quarterbacks. Florida can plug in any of seven different players (Mike Nattiel, Andra Davis, Byron Hardmon, Matt Farrior, Travis Harris, Travis Carroll and Marcus Oqendo-Johnson) into the three slots and come up with an all-star grouping. Consistency is the only issue, which is made even more important with the lack of established playmakers at defensive tackle. This unit will be tested early and often and it is paramount that at least one inside and one outside player step forward as leaders. DEFENSIVE BACKS All four starters return from last year’s group, along with five other players who have starting experience. That is bad news for opponents, considering Florida finished 3rd in the SEC and 12th in the nation in 2000 in pass efficiency defense. Lito Sheppard could be an all-American at corner, and his counterpart Robert Cromartie is no slouch. Bennie Alexander gives Florida an established player off the bench, along with Keiwan Ratliff. Todd Johnson could be one of the best SEC free safeties ever. Along with Marquand Manuel, Daryl Dixon, Guss Scott and Lester Norwood, Florida can plug in fresh bodies for the duration of a game. SPECIAL TEAMS Placekicker Jeff Chandler returns, but the punting situation is up in the air. Most expect redshirt freshman Matt Piotrowitz to end up with the job. As a kicker, Chandler can have his hairy moments, but for the most part he is solid. The return game is in excellent hands no matter who is back to receive the kick. OVERALL In terms of sheer talent and experience, no SEC team can best the Gators in 2001. Although that is no guarantee of success, it takes quite a bit to beat such a scenario, particularly when the man coaching the team is regarded as the best SEC coach of his era. Florida shouldn’t get caught up in national championship talk, but they do have the horses to run the race. The SEC East will again come down, basically, to the Florida-Tennessee matchup.
All game times are PM and Eastern Standard Time. All games will be broadcast on the Florida Gator Radio Network. All Times are subject to change
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