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2009 Florida Gators Football Predictions

Written June 11, 2009 by InfoPlays

2009-florida-gators-football-predictions Obvious pre-season No. 1 Florida has all the tools to win a third national title in 4 years. They have all 11 starters back on defense, and they have the leadership and experience from Tebow on offense to pick up right where they left off last season. Another big benefit for the ‘09 Gators is a schedule that potentially only has two tough games in LSU on the road and Georgia at a neutral site. BetUS currently has Florida as the favorite to win the 2010 NCAA Championship at +175 odds.

Offense: 2007 Heisman Trophy winner and runner-up last season, Tim Tebow, has spent the offseason working on his mechanics with new QB coach Scott Loeffler. This is the one weakness in his game, and he should be able to improve on his career 65.8 completion percentage to become even more dangerous. Tailbacks Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey have big-play capability just as Percy Harvin last season. They each averaged 7.8 yards/carry and combined for 14 plays of 30 yards or more.

The offensive line features Center Sam Robey who won the starting job in the spring, which moved Maurkice Pouncey from center to left guard. Left tackle Carl Johnson, right tackle Marcus Gilbert and right guard Mike Pouncey round out the O-line. Tight end Aaron Herndandez was UF’s third-leading receiver last season with 34 grabs after being forced into action due to an injury to Cornelius Ingram. He has had the best off-season of his career heading in.

The biggest question mark on this entire team is Florida’s receiving corps. Riley Cooper is the only returning starter, but he’s had just 30 catches in 37 career games. David Nelson came on strong late last year with 10 of his 12 catches and three of his five TD’s coming in the final four games. Deonte Thompson is a No. 3, but he hasn’t been able to be counted upon as an every down guy. Carl Moore had a good spring and red shirt freshmen Frankie Hammond, T.J. Lawrence and Omarius Hines are talented but unproven. The guy everyone will be watching is freshman Andre Debose, one of the most sought-after recruits in the country.

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Defense: The Florida Gators return all 11 starters on defense, including 21 of the 22 players on the two-deep depth chart. This is the same unit that stumped OU’s record-setting offense in the BCS title game and held the Sooners to just 14 points. The secondary appears to be the best in school history. Joe Haden and Janoris Jenkins are lockdown corners with NFL futures. Two safeties with NFL potential in Will Hill and Dec Finley are back-ups to Ahmad Black and Major Wright. UF will have to try and find playing time for safety Dorian Munroe and cornerbacks Adrian Bushell and Jeremy Brown.

Depth is not an issue at linebacker, either. Brandon Spikes, Brandon Hicks and Ryan Stamper are starters, but their backups include two former starters in Dustin Doe and A.J. Jones. Tackles Lawrence Marsh and Terron Sanders held their ground last season and should be able to attain their starting roles, but the rotation at tackle will be much deeper than last season. Omar Hunter emerged in the spring, and finally-healthy Brandon Antwine along with big-time recruit Gary Brown round out a talented group here. Ends Carlos Dunlap and Jermaine Cunningham combined for 15.5 sacks last season.

If you want to beat the NCAA football odds this fall, be sure you come back for our expert college football picks as soon as the season starts.