For almost all other schools, finishing 10-3 would be considered a great season.  However, in the Gator Nation, losing to Miami in the Sugar Bowl and failing to beat fsu to have a shot at the National Title was tough to swallow.  Coach Spurrier always says that the goal is to win a SEC title and that we did, but I have to imagine that losing to fsu on a regular basis must not sit well with him.  Hence, the harder spring practices with more physical play, and accountability for the players.

This year, the Gators will return many key players, and while being young, the 2001 squad will have the experience and attitude of winners.  They know that last year could have been a much more successful campaign and they are not about to repeat history starting with returning veteran place kicker returning in Jeff Chandler.  He has already established himself as the Gators' all-time leading scorer and field-goal maker. His conversion percentage on field goals is at the top of the Gators' chart as well. 

Let take a cut at analyzing each team and provide some insight on how they will perform.  Remember, this is somewhat biased.

OFFENSE – Return of the fun-and-gun
This is the cornerstone of the Spurrier teams.  Wide open, complex, pass oriented.  However, in recent years QB musical chairs has not yielded the best results (well, not Danny Wuerffel results).  The passing and play calling has to be precise for things to work in favor of the Gator Nation.  During spring practice the 2000 start (sharing duties with Jesse Palmer) Rex Grossman lacked some consistency, this left things open for Brock Berlin.  Spurrier has to “flip a coin” and pick a QB to start vs. Marshall.  Look for Spurrier to run up the score in the first two games to gauge the QBs and prepare for Tennessee. 

On the ground, the Gators have an excellent quartet of running backs.  Starting with Earnest Graham who led the Gators last year.  He is a power up the middle kind of guy.  For a more elusive, exciting back, the Gators will rely on Robert Gillespie.  He is small and must stay healthy.  The other two include Willie Green who impressed many in practice and Ran Carthon (family of former NY Giant great Maurice Carthon).  The only concern is the blocking FB position, which the Gators need in order to protect the QB and give the needed time to run the precision routes.

On the receiving side of the ball, as always, Florida will have star power.  Jabar Gaffney is the first target with Reche Caldwell a close second.  Reche needs to concentrate as he dropped several key passes last year.  Sophomores Kelvin Kight and Matt Jackson will also see some action.  Remember, Florida must rely on the WRs to make acrobatic catches and run extremely tough routes in order to make the fun-and-gun work.  This year will be a year in which Florida uses the tight end position more in the Spurrier era.  Aaron Walker is nig and has great hands.  He is hungry to play in the NFL and is a quality athlete that will be used by the Gators this year.

So how do we protect Rex…or is it Brock?

Mike Pearson is a potential 1^st round draft pick.  He is one of the best in college football.  Sophomore and very large (6-7, 360) LT Max Starks has good blood (the son of former Notre Dame All-American DE and Cincinnati Bengal Ross Browner) had a great spring combined with freshman Mo Mitchell.  Tommy Moody is the starting RG and the rest will be determined during fall practice.  I believe this is the place where the Gators have the most questions.  Many players are to be proven here and we shall see how much time the two QBs get.  This is critical and Spurrier has several key players to draw from in shaping out the OL.

DEFENSE
Defensively, unlike most years, the DL is where the weakness exist.  3 of 4 players will start in the NFL on Sundays.  However, this leaves what could be the strongest LB and secondary in college football.  The linebacking core is deep and experienced.  Equally “Stuffed” is the secondary.  Todd Johnson was quietly the leader in tackles last year. And Lito Sheppard was a blanket covering all the #1 WRs from opponents.  He also made some big time interceptions last year to change the momentum and game dynamics. 

Alex Brown must be consistent.  I applaud he decision to come back for his senior year, but to be a first rounder, he is going to have to play better.  He has the potential to being great, he just has to be consistent and stop trash talking.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Jeff Chandler petitioned to stay an extra year and the NCAA granted him the option.  How lucky we got.  He is an excellent kicker with great range and will break just about every record in Florida.  Our kick returns we very good last year, and we must control the punting game.  This is a spot that remains wide open and one of the punters will have to emerge.

Summary

Florida has a chance to become the first team to win 9 games for 12 seasons in a row.  When you think that the great Bear Bryant did not accomplish this tasks and in this day and age, this is much harder.  Steve Spurrier has created a dynasty for us Orange and Blue faithful.  As for this year’s chances, we will win 9 games.  The bigger question is can we remain unbeaten.  With the tougher games in The Swamp (Tenn, fsu, Miss State), we will have to rely on some road victories to get us over the top.  At LSU is scary, but I don’t think Nick Saban’s group is that good.  The key will be our QB situation and how well they are protected.  We have a receiving core that is NFL material as always.  We just need to give Brock or Rex some time.  If it comes down to a last second field goal, we have Chandler.  We will need Lito to make some key INTs and Alex Brown will have tom come up BIG!!

Ultimately, for Florida to run the table, Rex or Brock are going to have to step up and take control of this position and run the team.  NO QB ALTERNATION.  This simply does not work.  Florida has skated by with talent in other areas, but will not win a title with a rotating QB.  One of these two guys (or who know maybe a third guy) will need to become a dominating force and leader of the team.

Finally, this season should be dedicated to Mr. Eraste Autin.  Don't know much about him, but our thoughts are with his family.