Picture courtesy of the AP
It certainly seems as though all of Florida's big tests end up being anything but.
LSU was supposed to be a statement game for Florida, and determine whether or not the Gators were deserving of being considered an elite team. Florida proceeded to trounce the Tiger 51-21 in The Swamp.
This time, Florida was going to lock horns with the best team they'd faced all year. This was supposed to be the SEC Clash of the Titans, the matchup that would determine the SEC East winner. Both teams were focused on the game before kickoff, and the bench-clearing Bulldog celebration had been much ballyhooed the entire week, so much so that Florida players were instructed to not speak on it. This game had all the makings of a classic.
That is, until the game started. Florida and UGA traded early punts, then UGA looked poised to seize the momentum early. Stafford sliced and diced UF's secondary, and had the team ready to score. Then, Florida racked up two straight sacks and Georgia missed their field goal attempt.
It went downhill from there for the Bulldogs.
Costly penalties, untimely interceptions, and some questionable playcalls put UGA in a hole time and time again, and the Gators were more than willing to take advantage. A personal foul penalty negated a Georgia interception, while Matthew Stafford threw three of his own; the first of these proved to be the backbreaker for the Dawgs. Starting on their own two yard line, Stafford orchestrated a perfect drive; he hit playaction pass after playaction pass, and Knowshon Moreno kept the Florida defense on its toes. Then, Stafford aimed for freshman receiver AJ Green on a corner route, which was intercepted by Joe Haden. Haden raced 88 yards the other way before being pushed out of bounds at the one yard line. From there, Tebow easily ran in for a touchdown.
And Georgia's confidence was shattered. Even though Florida was only up 21-3, the Bulldogs seemed devoid of fight from then on. Stafford--crisp during the first half--became erratic in the second. Moreno was reduced to an afterthought in light of the route, only managing 65 yards rushing, a far cry from the 188 yard performance that catapulted him to stardom a year ago. The UGA defense, which had played well during the first half, gave up only 359 yards, but 49 points. To their credit, however, they were placed in multiple bad situations by the offense, which turned the ball over four times. However, Georgia coach Mark Richt needs to have his head check for the failed onside kick attempt--in the second quarter. In short, it was another game that wasn't for the Gators.
This leaves one question: how good is Florida? They've yet to be seriously tested by a team that has been considered a tough opponent. I suppose one could argue that Florida's beatdown of LSU was an aberration, had they not proceeded to give up 52 points at home to Georgia two weeks later. And I suppose that Georgia's giving up 49 to Florida today could be considered an aberration as well, had they not surrendered 41 points to Alabama earlier in the season. The point here? Both of the teams that were considered tough games for Florida had major questions prior to the Gators playing them. LSU's defense made Auburn quarterback Chris Todd look like Joe Montana, and had allowed Mississippi State to have its best offensive output of the season. Meanwhile, South Carolina quarterback Chris Smelley shredded Georgia's defense, and Alabama blasted the Dawgs in Athens. Given this, is Florida really this good, or have they benefited from playing overrated teams?
As a Florida fan, I think it says a lot that the team's been able to respond so well in pressure situations; it's also nice to see that the defense has improved. Stafford did a good job of beating Florida's secondary in the first half and part of the second, but the defense tightened up when they needed to and kept the Bulldogs out of the endzone. Additionally, they were able to render Moreno a non-factor. Hopefully, the Gators will be focused when they travel up to Nashville next week to take on Vanderbilt. The Gators can clinch the SEC East with a win next week, and seem poised to have a 10+ win season. This win is huge for Florida since it places them back in the midst of national title talks, but let's hope that they don't lose focus against a Commodore team that's looking to make a bowl game for the first time since 1984.
Offensive props:
- Tim Tebow for completing 10 of 13 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns, as well as scoring three more touchdowns rushing
- Percy Harvin, for racking up 3 catches for 52 yards and one touchdown, and adding in an extra 4 rushes for 38 yards and another touchdown
- Emmanuel Moody, for rolling up 65 rushing yards on seven carries
- Florida's offensive line, for only surrendering one sack the entire game
Defensive Props:
- Joe Haden, for 10 tackles and an 88 yard interception return that changed the momentum of the game
- Ahmad Black, for 4 tackles and a 64 yard interception return
- Dustin Doe, for returning to action and getting an interception
- Brandon Spikes, for 7 tackles, including a jarring hit on Knowshon Moreno to start the game
- Carlos Dunlap, for recording his fifth sack of the year (which leads the team and is second in the SEC)
- Florida's defensive line, for holding Moreno to just 65 yards rushing and no touchdowns
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