12/8/09
A No. 4 ranking this early might seem a little low compared to recent years. But, realistically, let's wait and see what happens in the Sugar Bowl, and then who bolts early for the NFL, because there are upwards of seven to eight underclassmen and/or juniors that could make that early jump. Regardless, Gainesville is going to welcome back a great deal of starters. If the current DB set remains intact, fans could be looking at a complete package of future NFL players in their 2010 secondary. The linebackers, despite a few loses, will be in fine shape, and the front line will combine to make this one of the top two defenses in the SEC again. If new QB John Brantley had more worthwhile experience, Florida could easily be No. 1 based on the ungodly amount of recruiting talent head coach Urban Meyer has been stockpiling. Brantley was the in-state Ocala recruit voted the Gatorade National Player of the Year in 2006. Oh yea, he also topped the state prep record for career touchdown passes previously owned by none other than Tim Tebow. The best move for the new QB will be handing the ball off with so much power and speed at running back. Brantley will also benefit from an extremely veteran offensive line led by the Pouncey Twin Towers. Florida is not going to disappear from these top echelons of college football anytime soon. The odds continue to say that the winner of Alabama and Florida will likely be one of the opponents in the BCS National Championship Game. And, unlike these past two times they’ve met, that dream match up starts off as a mid-season gauge (October 2, mark it down now)...in Tuscaloosa.