(Sports Network) - The top-ranked Florida Gators seek a
flawless regular season, as they close things out this weekend in Gainesville
with their annual showdown with Sunshine State rival Florida State.

The defending national champions are just two victories away from playing for
yet another national title, but must first get by the Seminoles this week and
second-ranked Alabama in the SEC Championship Game on December 5th. Urban
Meyer's team ran the nation's longest current win streak to 21 straight games,
with last weekend's 62-3 drubbing of FIU. It also pushed the team to 11-0 for
just the second time in school history.

The Seminoles have been plagued with inconsistency this season, but last
week's 29-26 victory over Maryland made FSU bowl eligible for an NCAA-leading
28th straight season. Bobby Bowden's squad has won two straight games, but is
just 6-5 on the year, including a 4-4 mark in ACC play.

Florida leads the all-time series with FSU, 32-19-2, including wins in each of
the last five meetings.

The Seminoles relied heavily on the steady play under center from QB Christian
Ponder, but the savvy signal-caller went down a few games ago with a shoulder
injury and has not played since. The reins of the offense have been turned
over to freshman EJ Manuel, but he has certainly had huge shoes to fill. The
results have been mixed, as Manuel has completed a respectable 64.7 percent of
his passes, but has thrown just one TD pass against four interceptions. Bert
Reed and Rod Owens are the top options downfield and are tied for the team-
lead in receptions (53), combining for over 1,300 yards.

The ground game in Tallahassee has been emphasized a little bit more of late,
headlined by tailback Jermaine Thomas, who paces the team with 690 yards and
seven TDs on the year.

The offense is often bolstered by freshman Greg Reid, who averages 18.4 yards
per punt return with one taken back for a TD.

Defensively, FSU has had big problems against both the run (193.5 ypg) and the
pass (240.9 ypg). In addition, foes have scored 83 percent of the time in the
red zone and 69 percent of red zone opportunities have resulted in touchdowns.

Sophomore LB Nigel Bradham currently paces the team in tackles with 76, with
junior LB Kendall Smith a close second (74 tackles). However, the heart-and-
soul of the stop unit is senior LB Dekoda Watson (52 tackles, 9.0 TFLs, 4.5
sacks).

Eight different players scored TDs against FIU last week and that is where
Florida's real strength lies, its versatility.

All-American Tim Tebow leads an offense that is as balanced as any in the
country, averaging over 200 yards on the ground and through the air. Tebow
paces the team in both areas, rushing for 706 yards and 11 TDs, while passing
for 1,945 yards and 14 more scores thus far.

Tebow will be playing in his last game in Gainesville, something he is very
aware of heading into this matchup.

"I'll try to prepare myself. I'm not going to think about it too much to be
honest with you. It'll probably just happen. It will probably be pretty
emotional, pretty exciting, overwhelming to say the least. I'm excited about
it. Kind of sad it's my last opportunity, but also excited that it'll be that
special of a moment, too."

There are plenty of complementary players in both areas as well, with
tailbacks Jeff Demps (7.1 ypc, seven TDs) and Chris Rainey (6.2 ypc, four TDs)
bolstering the ground game, while tight end Aaron Hernandez (46 receptions,
for 571 yards, two TDs) and wideout Riley Cooper (38 receptions, for 641
yards, seven TDs) highlight the play downfield.

It doesn't get any better on the defensive side of the football, than the
product coming out of Gainesville. The Gators lead the nation in scoring
defense (9.8 ppg) and pass defense (139.3 ypg), while ranking second in total
defense (229.8 ypg).

There is All-American talent at every level of the defense, starting with
linebackers Ryan Stamper (team-high 64 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, two INTs)
and Brandon Spikes (50 tackles, 3.0 sacks, two INTs). The secondary features
Joe Haden (57 tackles, three sacks, three INTs) and Ahmad Black (54 tackles,
one INT), while the defensive front is headlined by rush ends Jermaine
Cunningham (11.5 TFLs, 7.0 sacks) and Carlos Dunlap (7.5 TFLs, 6.0 sacks).







Copyright 2009 The Sports Network
All rights reserved

 Email To Friend