2006 record: 13-1, 7-1 (1st in SEC East)
2006 bowl: Beat Ohio State 41-14 in BCS title game
2006 final AP/coaches' ranking: 1/1
Coach: Urban Meyer (22-4, 2nd year; 61-12 overall, 6 years)
Offensive coordinator: Dan Mullen (3rd year)
Co-defensive coordinators: Charlie Strong (3rd year); Greg Mattison (3rd year, 10th at school)
Returning offensive starters: 6
Returning defensive starters: 2
Location: Gainesville, Fla.
Stadium: Ben Hill Griffin (grass, 88,548)
Last league title: 2006
2007 schedule: [view]
2006 statistics: [view]

Offensive: Much of the Gator Nation will rejoice on Sept. 1, when Florida hosts Western Kentucky. That’s the official debut of the Tim Tebow Era. Tebow, a sophomore quarterback who made a huge impact last season in a reserve role, already is one of the most popular athletes in Florida’s athletic history, joining the likes of Danny Wuerffel and Joakim Noah. Tebow, a left-hander, is a perfect fit for Urban Meyer’s spread-option offense. In fact, his body type and style of play compares favorably to Alex Smith, Meyer’s old signal-caller at Utah. Although Tebow’s arrives with somewhat unreasonable expectations, his overall effectiveness may depend on the deployment of sophomore receiver Percy Harvin and senior receiver Andre Caldwell. The running game, largely a non-factor in Meyer’s two Gator seasons, is a question mark. Junior Kestahn Moore is the early leader, but younger runners may get a shot, too. 

Defensive: The front seven, which was devastatingly effective in the BCS Championship Game against Ohio State’s Troy Smith, is undergoing a makeover. Junior defensive end Derrick Harvey and senior strong safety Tony Joiner return to the lineup — but everyone else will be new. Not to worry. There’s plenty of talent — particularly with sophomore middle linebacker Brandon Spikes and freshman outside linebacker A.J. Jones — but it is unproven. Also watch for freshman defensive lineman Torrey Davis, an ultra-athletic bull rusher, and junior cornerback Markus Manson, a converted running back. 

Specialists: Not a strong point, which has to be an embarrassment for the staffer who coordinates special teams — Urban Meyer. Junior place-kicker Jonathan Phillips could be the replacement for the departed Chris Hetland, who struggled mightily in the regular season, but never truly cost the Gators in a close game. The return game, another weak point that showed improvement, suffered an offseason blow with the suspension of Brandon James.

Game of the year Oct. 6, at LSU The matchup of SEC heavyweights and a potential preview of the league’s championship game.

Coaching: For the first time, Urban Meyer begins his third season at one school. Two seasons at Bowling Green, two seasons at Utah and now he’s settling in at Florida. Meyer has weathered the hard times — adjusting to the SEC, incorporating players into his system, recruiting in the South — although how hard could these times really be (22-4, SEC championship, national title) in Gainesville? With a recruiting foothold and an escape (finally!) from the shadow of Steve Spurrier, Meyer could really make his mark as a strategist and motivator. 

Joey Johnston on college football Catch 'em while you can Gators have lost some bite, but won't be 'down' for very long

Heisman Hopefuls: Can Tebow, in his first season as starter, become a legitimate Heisman candidate? Put it this way: If the Gators repeat as SEC champions, and Tebow puts up big numbers, name recognition will not be a problem.

Overview: If you’re going to get the Gators, this is definitely the season. There’s a slight dip in experience, but it won’t last long as Meyer’s fleet of recruits invades the lineup. Then there’s the Tebow factor? If Florida won a national title with a quarterback (Chris Leak) who didn’t fit Meyer’s scheme, and a sputtering running game, what might happen when the coach has his preferred chess pieces? The Gators are building the most formidable talent war-chest this side of USC, so watch out. If Florida gets some breaks and finds its way back into the big game again, we might be looking at the start of a Southern dynasty.

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