Question: Will ANY team in the SEC East challenge Florida in the next five years? - Page 4

GulfCoastTider · October 28th, 2009, 03:08 PM

	Quote:	Tradition4ever
	And as far as the poster's who said that Meyer won the NC in 2006 with Chris Leak, thus proving that he can do it without Tebow, well, you may be right, but consider this: the SEC coaches didn't have a lot of experience in defending this Meyer Spread in 2006. Now, they do. Eventually, these defensive coaches catch up to these hot offenses, and I think that's what has happened to UF this year, to a certain extent.

Part of it also is that Meyer has tweaked his offensive strategies to highlight Tebow's potential as an NFL quarterback. Before the season started, there were several back-channel discussions about Tebow's expression to his coach that he wanted to play at the next level, and Meyer making a few subtle changes in the game plans to let him show his stock to NFL scouts. That may have had some effects on how Meyer approaches certain down-and-distance situations. It may also have affected how they get into certain down-and-distance situations. I can't remember which forum I saw it on, but some Florida fans were grousing a bit that Tebow's injury in the Kentucky game was due to a series of play calls and alignment that had more of a pro-set feel than a Meyer spread. The Kentucky D saw a chink in the armor and exploited it.

	Quote:
	What still makes them special, and separates them in close games at crucial times, is Tebow. I'm not saying that UF is going to be pedestrian on offense next season, but there has been this weird sense of invincibility in the air around the Gators, and I think that radiates from the belief that when it comes down to that crucial moment, on that play when the Gators absolutely need that first down, or need to drive the field to score 6, that Tebow is going to come through and deliver. We'll see how the Gators respond when Tebow is no longer there to deliver them.

I agree. While I don't see a huge drop-off in a Post-Tebow Florida, not having a proven producer on the field in those situations is going to have some sort of impact. You just don't lose that kind of talent and not suffer somewhat. But it's the leadership and emotional impact he has that might be missed most. Football is as much a game of momentum and emotion as it is talent and coaching.

Fast forward to the 2010 SECCG. Florida is down by one score in the fourth quarter, and the Bama defense looks fresh and hungry. Maybe Meyer, Brantley & Co. pull it out again.

But for Tim Tebow's gutsy performance in the 2008 flavor, Florida meets Utah and Bama meets OU for the title...

PDX Gator · October 28th, 2009, 03:10 PM

I agree with poster above, UT loses a lot after this year, I do not think UT is stocked enough yet to be better than good in 2010...

It will be fascinating to see what UF and Meyer do without Tebow, FWIW it looks like defenses have figured out how to slow tebow down in the red zone, UF needs to get the ball out of Tebow's hands more and more quickly...UF is very predictable and tebowcentric now...

UF isn't showing much creativity or diversity in its red zone O, UF has scored only 2 TDs in its last 15 red zone chances, that is awful...can UF do much worse without Tebow?

What UF loses with Tebow is huge, the guy converts 3rd downs PERIOD, he is as clutch as they come...

on the flip side, tebow is struggling to throw accurately this year for some reason, UF's backup and next year's starter is supposedly a much better thrower, so UF would lose its clutch triggerman at QB and its FB, but gain a more pure passer who could diversify the O and open up all sort of plays UF simply doesn't run now, such as deep outs, fades, slants etc...

Unless UGA's new QB Aaron Murray is a superstar right out of the gate, I would pick UF a slight #1 in the East over UGA next year, w/ UT #3 or #4 depending on how good USCe is...

and that is with all the juniors leaving, I think DE Dunlap and TE Hernandez are gone, but if CB Joe Haden comes back ( little brother is in this year's signing class, could Joe stay one more year to play with his brother?) and the Pounceys come back ( Pounceys were part of a celebrated HS State champion team, HS teammates TB Chris Rainey and FS Ahmad Black will be back next year, will Pounceys stay with their HS teammates one more year?),..I think UF will and should be a preseason top 5 pick nationally

92tide · October 28th, 2009, 03:15 PM

	Quote:	PDX Gator
	UF isn't showing much creativity or diversity in its red zone O, UF has scored only 2 TDs in its last 15 red zone chances, that is awful...can UF do much worse without Tebow?

Bama's doing worse without Tebow

GreatDanish · October 28th, 2009, 03:19 PM

In August 2008...
1. LSU and Auburn were the elite programs in the SEC West, Georgia was the elite team in the East.
2. Florida was not a championship caliber team because of their defense.
3. Mark Richt is probably a top 3 HC in the league, with the #1 preseason team in the nation.
4. Alabama's biggest weakness appeared to be its front 7 on defense.

I can't say why, where, or how, but I do believe that things will be quite different in one year than they are now. They may be in a league of their own in the East, but then again, I wouldn't be shocked to have a discussion in a year or two about whether the SEC East is the toughest division in NCAA football.

PDX Gator · October 28th, 2009, 03:19 PM

	Quote:	GulfCoastTider
	Part of it also is that Meyer has tweaked his offensive strategies to highlight Tebow's potential as an NFL quarterback. Before the season started, there were several back-channel discussions about Tebow's expression to his coach that he wanted to play at the next level, and Meyer making a few subtle changes in the game plans to let him show his stock to NFL scouts. That may have had some effects on how Meyer approaches certain down-and-distance situations. It may also have affected how they get into certain down-and-distance situations. I can't remember which forum I saw it on, but some Florida fans were grousing a bit that Tebow's injury in the Kentucky game was due to a series of play calls and alignment that had more of a pro-set feel than a Meyer spread. The Kentucky D saw a chink in the armor and exploited it.

This is not quite true.

In the UK game, UF was in a 5 wide, no back formation on the play where Tebow got hurt...that is a spread formation and concept, not a pro set...

UF's OT blocked down on the Right DT and let the DE go free b/c Tebow is supposed to see that guy and either throw quick or roll right, Tebow for some reason didn't see him and the guy drilled Tebow right in the chin...

as far as getting Tebow ready for the NFL, there was talk of that in the offseason, but there is no sign of it in actual playcalling and execution...Tebow is running it 20 times a game, and throwing downfield rarely if at all...

I love Tebow, but am more convinced now than ever that he is NOT an NFL QB, his arm strength, his long throwing motion and most importantly his difficulty reading complex zone defenses are going to make it very hard for him to be successful in the NFL...

JeffAtlanta · October 28th, 2009, 04:59 PM

	Quote:	TidePrideGA
	The UGA job is not as many UGAG fans think one of the top 3 jobs in the conference.

Sure it is - it's probably the 2nd best job in the conference behind UF with Alabama and LSU just slightly below at 3rd.

The state of GA puts of loads of talent and UGA and GA Tech rarely ever go after the same players. The talent pool isn't as deep as Florida's - but who's is? The athletic department is flush with cash and very profitable.

IF UGA would ever hire a top notch coach, they would be on another level above the UT's of the world.

BamaBeta · October 28th, 2009, 05:09 PM

	Quote:	PDX Gator
	as far as getting Tebow ready for the NFL, there was talk of that in the offseason, but there is no sign of it in actual playcalling and execution...Tebow is running it 20 times a game, and throwing downfield rarely if at all... I love Tebow, but am more convinced now than ever that he is NOT an NFL QB, his arm strength, his long throwing motion and most importantly his difficulty reading complex zone defenses are going to make it very hard for him to be successful in the NFL...

I have been discussing Tebow's NFL development with a few Gator friends down here and they all say the same thing. They love him for what he has done for the UF program the past 4 years, but beyond that, they don't think he will be as dominant as he is now in college.

I think you are also right about Tebow's reading the defense but I believe it is also a lilttle bit of team's figuring out the weaknesses in the offense and exploiting them, like delayed blitzing.