SWAMP THING: Gators Demolish Vols

Lost amidst the talk of whether USC, LSU, or Oklahoma should be voted No. 1 is the fact that Florida is still the defending National Champions. They reminded the country of that fact with a 59-20 demolition of Tennessee.

The most exciting thing is that Urban Meyer finally has the nearly unstoppable, high voltage offense he dreamed about when coming to Florida. It’s evolved slightly from his Utah and Bowling Green days as it’s now less spread option as it is spread single-wing.

And it matches the personnel of his team perfectly.

The match-up with Tennessee was a perfect example.

Obviously looking to take away Tebow’s powerful QB dives, Tennessee stacked the middle of the box. While this proved effective for most of the first quarter, it left the defense vulnerable on outside runs or deep throws. However, a counter run to Percy Harvin and two well thrown passes to Cornelius Ingram and Riley Cooper sent the Gators 65 yards for a touchdown… in just one minute.

From then on, the offense did whatever it wanted. Tim Tebow dives, Tebow counters, Kehstan Moore dives, Moore dive counters, counters to Percy Harvin coming in motion, reverses to Harvin, options to Harvin, dives to Harvin, dive counters to Harvin…. And those are only just the running plays!

Add it all up and the Gators rushed for 255 yards total. Tebow had 61 yards and 2 scores while Harvin had 75 yards on just 9 carries and two scores. Moore chipped in with 48 yards on 11 carries.

And with the running game working so well, and the athletes on the Gator offense, it was no surprise that Tebow had the easiest of days throwing the ball. He threw for 299 yards on only 14 completions, good for a fantastic 21 yards per completion. His lone blemish came when Riley Cooper broke off a short slant or curl route and Eric James picked it off for a 95 yard touchdown score.

And while the offense was calling its shot, Brandon James was returning punts for touchdowns, Dustin Doe was returning fumbles for touchdown, and the Gator defense was holding Tennessee to 37 yards rushing and only 13 offensive points.

As evidenced by the score, it was a complete and total victory over a nationally ranked opponent.

Maybe we should stop talking about USC, LSU, and Oklahoma, and start talking about Florida.

—E. Blasco