Colleges

UF for the fans

By Antonya English
Published August 31, 2007

COACH: Urban Meyer

STAFF: Steve Addazio, offensive line; Stan Drayton, running backs; Billy Gonzales, wide receivers; Chuck Heater, recruiting coordinator/cornerbacks; John Hevesy, tight ends/assistant offensive line; John "Doc" Holliday, associate head coach/safeties; Greg Mattison, co-defensive coordinator/defensive line; Dan Mullen, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks; Charlie Strong. Assistant head coach/co-defensive coordinator/linebackers.

CONFERENCE/DIVISION: SEC, Eastern Division

CONFERENCE TITLES: 1991, 1993-96, 2000, 2006.

NATIONAL TITLES: 1996, 2006.

RADIO: WDAE-AM 620 (Tampa); WFLA-AM 970 (St. Petersburg); WWJB-AM 1450 (Brooksville); WXCV-FM 95.3 (Crystal River); WZHR-AM 1400 (Zephyrhills).

WEB SITE: www.gatorzone.com

2007 schedule

Saturday W. Kentucky 12:30

Sept. 8 Troy 6

Sept. 15 Tennessee 3:30

Sept. 22 at Mississippi TBA

Sept. 29 Auburn TBA

Oct. 6 at LSU TBA

Oct. 20 at Kentucky TBA

Oct. 27 Georgia TBA (Jacksonville)

Nov. 3 Vanderbilt TBA

Nov. 10 at South Carolina TBA

Nov. 17 Florida Atlantic TBA

Nov. 24 Florida State TBA

3 must-see games

SEPT. 29 Auburn: The Tigers were the only team that stood between Florida and a perfect season in 2006. Meanwhile, Auburn has become the forgotten child in Alabama with the Tide hiring Nick Saban, so a win over Florida would bring some overdue respect. Look for both teams to have a little extra motivation.

Oct. 6 at LSU: If Florida gets past Tennessee, and the Tigers make it through Virginia Tech and South Carolina, this could have national implications. Beating the Tigers on the road is a major feat anytime, but add an undefeated element everything is raised a notch.

Nov. 10 at S.Carolina: This is starting to be a real rivalry very quickly. The first time Urban Meyer went to Columbia (two years ago), his team was schooled by the Gators' legendary former coach, Steve Spurrier, in a loss that ultimately cost Florida a trip to the SEC championship. Last year, the Gators needed a last-second blocked field goal to win. Spurrier should have a much better team this season. Most of all, anytime you have the former coach vs. the new coach, it's a good storyline.

3 key stats to watch

RUNNING GAME

The Gators won 13 games last season without a solid, consistent running game. Kestahn Moore is finally healthy and receiver Jarred Fayson will get some time at the position, but it remains to be see whether the running back can be a vital part of this offense.

No.2 MAN

Tim Tebow is the starter, but the search for Tebow's backup continued through fall camp. Tebow became a star last season, giving the Gators a boost in critical short-yardage situations. Meyer has said he'd like to have someone in a similar role for Tebow. Freshmen Cameron Newton gets the first crack at filling that role.

IS THE DEFENSE FOR REAL?

What are the chances that nine new starters will dominate a league as brutal as the SEC? With just two experienced players back on defense, chances are it'll take some time for this defense to jell. The question is how long? And can Florida afford to wait?

2006 results (13-1)

Southern Miss 34-7 W

Central Florida 42-0 W

at Tennessee 21-20 W

Kentucky 26-7 W

Alabama 28-13 W

LSU 23-10 W

at Auburn 27-17 L

vs. Georgia 21-14 W

at Vanderbilt 25-19 W

South Carolina 17-16 W

Western Carolina 62-0 W

at Florida State 21-14 W

SEC Championship

vs. Arkansas 38-28 W

BCS Championship

vs. Ohio State 41-14 We_SClBBen Hill Griffin Stadium

CAPACITY: 88,548

TICKETS: All tickets are sold out. A new law prohibits any individual or organization from selling or purchasing tickets at any price on campus without written consent by the University of Florida.

PARKING: Gainesville Regional Transit provides shuttle service from the Oaks Mall, the downtown plaza, the UF Hotel and Conference Center and Haile Plantation at the Village Center. Downtown parking lots and garages are open on game day. Service begins three hours before kickoff with the last bus departing 10 minutes before kickoff. Return buses start at the beginning of the fourth quarter and run through the first hour after the game.

DIRECTIONS: Take Interstate 75 North to Exit 384 (Archer Road) and make a right. Follow Archer Road to 34th Street. Turn left on 34th and follow it to University Avenue. Turn right on University Avenue and follow it to Gale Lemerand Drive. Turn right on Lemerand and the stadium will be on the left.

[Last modified August 29, 2007, 10:22:19]