2008 Florida Gators College Football Predictions & Season Preview
June 8, 2008
The team here at Info Plays goes over our 2008 Florida Gators football predictions following a disappointing 2007 season, capped off by a loss against Michigan to end the year. Can Florida reclaim their reign at the top of the SEC with more experience returning this season? We give you a look at the Gators’ offense, defense and special teams as well as our predictions on how Florida will finish in the SEC.
Offense:
Florida led the SEC in total offense and finished third in the nation at 42.5 points per game. The Gators return all but two starters this season, so don’t expect much of a drop off in 2008. Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow won’t be rushing for 23 touchdowns like he did last year as head coach Urban Meyer and offensive coordinator Dan Mullen will limit his carries. They will be looking to get him 10 carries a per game, rather than the 16 he averaged last season. It looks to be a running back by committee in Florida with 5 different guys including senior Kestahn Moore battling for playing time.
Junior Percy Harvin had 1,622 combined yards rushing and receiving last year despite missing two games with migraine headaches. He is one of the most dangerous players in the country and heads a group of speedy, but inexperienced receivers. Three of the Gators’ top 5 receivers head into the season without a single catch. Tight end Cornelius Ingram decided to return for his senior season after being tied for the team lead in touchdown catches with seven last year. Seniors Phil Trautwein and Jason Watkins anchor a solid offensive line at the tackle positions. Senior left guard Jim Tartt has more starts than any other player in the team with 29. The Pouncey twins in center Markice and guard Mike are some very talented sophomores.
Defense:
The Gators have some concerns on defense after giving up far too many points last season at 25.5 PPG. But their won’t be any concerns at linebacker, that’s for sure. Junior middle linebacker Brandon Spikes, a first-team All-SEC selection last season, recorded 131 tackles for the second most in the SEC. Junior outside linebacker Dustin Doe ranked second on the team behind Spikes with 85 tackles. But then there’s the defensive line that Doe and Spikes will have to try and make up for. Only one player scares opposing offenses right now with junior end Jermaine Cunningham. You might hear about sophomore end Chris Dunlap, who recorded four sacks in the spring game.
It gets ugly at defensive tackle where Torrey Davis and John Brown are each dealing with academic issues. Senior Javier Estopinan is coming back from his third knee surgery and there’s nobody else that has proven they can even compete in the tough SEC on the interior line. Sophomore Joe Haden and junior Wondy Pierre-Louis are the respectable starters at corner and sophomore Major Wright will start at free safety. Reserve spots behind this trio and the other safety position are still ripe for the taking.
Florida Gators Predictions at Info Plays: 2nd in SEC East
Florida’s success this season will ride on its defense, just as it did 2007. The Gators will have to find a pass rush and play better in the secondary to challenge Georgia for the SEC title. New defensive line coach Dan McCarney and cornerbacks coach Vance Bedford will have their hands full. Florida’s season could hinge on defeating Georgia in Jacksonville after the Bulldogs handed the Gators their lunch last year in a 30-42 setback. Too many question marks on the defensive side of the ball have us placing Florida as the No. 2 team in the SEC this season.