Florida's Tebow said The Citadel should expect to win

The Citadel has won just four games this season, and has lost five of its last seven games, but Florida quarterback Tim Tebow said there's absolutely no reason the team shouldn't come in expecting to knock off No. 3 Florida on Saturday.

"You have to (have that mentality),'' Tebow said earlier this week. "You have to believe that you are going to go out there and you believe that your team has a chance to win and go out there and play. That's why you play the game, right?''

With so much at stake for Florida, Tebow said he thinks the Citadel players see just playing the Gators as a great opportunity.

"I think they are defintely excited to get an opportunity to play a Top 5 team, and come to the Swamp and play,'' Tebow said. "Coach Tim Higgins, I know him a little bit. He'll do a great job coaching them and their players have a lot of character and they are going to play hard. We'll have to come ready to play and play hard.''

Florida's Percy Harvin eans national player of week honor

Florida RB/WR Percy Harvin this week was named the AT&T All-America Player of the Week, the only major award in which players are chosen exclusively by fans.

Harvin claimed the honor after he rushed for a career-high 167 yards
and two touchdowns in the Gators' 56-6 win over No. 24 South Carolina. He received nearly 35 percent of the votes to beat out Iowa RB Shonn Greene (33 percent), Houston QB Case Keenum (19 percent) and Oregon State WR James Rodgers (13 percent). Each of the players was nominated by ESPN for this week's award.

In December, four finalists for the AT&T All-America Player of the Year
Award will be announced during a one-hour special on ESPN in conjunction with the announcement of the AT&T ESPN All-America Team as selected by the Football Writers Association of America. Fans will then get a chance to say who the best player in the nation is by voting for the AT&T All-America Player of the Year through the BCS. Voting ends at noon ET on Jan. 6, and the winner will be announced during the BCS National Championship game on Jan. 8.

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow receives Disney Spirit Award

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow continues to add to his impressive list of honors by receiving the 2008 Disney Spirit Award, given annually to college football’s most inspirational figure.

Tebow will be presented with the award during The Home Depot/ ESPNU College Football Awards on Dec. 11. The 18th annual awards show is scheduled for 7:30-9:30 p.m. ET and will be televised live on ESPN.

"I would like to accept this award on behalf of those who inspire me
and give the credit to my Lord, my family, my coaches and my teammates at the University of Florida,” Tebow said in a statement.  “I've always been very passionate about football, but it is not going to be my life's work forever and I'd like to think that I am not defined by it. To be recognized by Disney Sports for the way I try to use my platform to spread my message about faith and to join the list of recipients of this award is a blessing and it is very, very humbling."

Antwine nominated for national courage award

Defensive tackle Brandon Antwine has been nominated for the 2008 FedEx Orange Bowl/FWAA Courage Award, which will be presented at the end of the season to a college football player who has displayed courage on or off the field, including overcoming an injury or physical handicap, preventing a disaster or living through hardship.

A redshirt sophomore from Garland, Texas, Antwine has overcome kidney failure and a significant muscular breakdown in his lower back to return to football.

In October 2007, Antwine suffered symptoms of dehydration along with pain in his lower back. He was taken to the hospital, and acute kidney failure was discovered. Further examination revealed the kidney troubles resulted from a rare muscle failure called lumbar spine myonecrosis, a loss of blood pressure that kills muscular cell fibers.

Essentially a muscle in his lower back had died. Normal kidney function returned in several days, but the pain in his back got worse.

Antwine spent several weeks in a wheelchair, then had to relearn how to walk. The process included therapy in a swimming pool, followed by learning to balance and then walking with a cane.

Although he wasn't cleared for full contact until the second week of September, Antwine has contributed this season as a backup nose tackle.

The Courage Award was created by ESPN The Magazine's senior writer Gene Wojciechowski, and will be awarded in December.

Spikes among five finalists for Nagurski Trophy

Junior LB Brandon Spikes is among five finalists for the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, announced Wednesday by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club.

The award is annually given to the nation's best college defensive football player. The winner will be announcedon Dec. 7.

The other finalists are: TCU DE Jerry Hughes, USC LB Rey Maualuga, Texas DE Brian Orakpo and Wake Forest CB Alphonso Smith.

The FWAA award is named after Nagurski, who dominated college football at Minnesota as a fullback and tackle from 1927-29.

HERE IS A SNAPSHOT OF WHAT EACH FINALIST HAS ACCOMPLISHED THIS SEASON:

Jerry Hughes, TCU, 6-2, 248, Junior (Sugar Land, Texas): He leads the nation with 14 sacks, is seventh in the nation with 17.5 tackles for loss, while tying for fifth with five forced fumbles. He also has three fumble recoveries. Hughes has two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. He was the Walter Camp Football Foundation and FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week after his four sacks and two forced fumbles in a 32-7 win over previously unbeaten BYU. He is a three-time Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Week this season. Hughes anchors a TCU defense that leads the nation in rushing defense (39.5 yards per game), sacks (40) and total defense (220.0 yards per game) and is third in scoring defense (11.0 points per game).

Rey Maualuga, USC, 6-2, 260, Senior (Eureka, Calif): He leads USC with 66 tackles and has also intercepted two passes (including a 48-yarder for a touchdown in a victory over Ohio State). He has 2.5 tackles for 11 yards in losses. He has broken up a pass and has registered a quarterback hurry. He spearheads a USC defense that is ranked second nationally in total defense, first in scoring defense, sixth in rushing defense, and first in pass defense and pass efficiency defense. The Trojans have allowed just 10 touchdowns in 2008 and 83 total points (only 19 points in second halves of games), and have posted three shutouts. Eight of USC's 10 opponents in 2008 have been limited to 100 or less rushing yards and under 250 total yards.

Brian Orakpo, Texas, 6-4, 260, Senior (Houston, Texas): He is the defensive leader for the Longhorns, who rank fourth nationally in rushing defense. He has 35 tackles (26 unassisted), a team-high nine sacks (which is tied for ninth nationally), 13.5 tackles for loss, 23 pressures and three forced fumbles this season. Facing Oklahoma pre-season All-America tackle Phil Loadholt, Orakpo posted seven tackles, two sacks, four tackles for loss, two quarterback pressures and a forced fumble in leading then No. 5 Texas to a 45-35 win over No. 1 Oklahoma. Orakpo's pressure and near sack in the end zone of Chase Daniel forced an interception that gave Texas the ball at the Missouri 15-yard line and set up a touchdown in No. 1 Texas' 56-31 win over No. 12 Missouri. Matching up with top NFL draft prospect Russell Okung, Orakpo registered six tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and two pressures in No. 1 Texas' 28-24 win over No. 7 Oklahoma State. Orakpo turned in two tackles, a tackle for loss and two pressures before going down with a knee injury early in the second half at No. 6 Texas Tech. He has missed the better part of 2 1/2 games with a knee injury.

Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest, 5-9, 190, Senior (Pahokee, Fla.): He leads the nation with 18 passes defended. He has five interceptions in 2008 with 28 yards in returns, tied for third in the ACC. He is one shy of tying for the ACC record for career interceptions (20) with former North Carolina star Dré Bly, who also was an FWAA All-American. Smith had an interception against Baylor and another against Florida State and returned it 18 yards. His interception against Clemson was returned nine yards. He had two interceptions vs. Duke, including one in the end zone that sealed a 33-30 victory over the Blue Devils. He has broken up 13 passes this season.

Brandon Spikes, Florida, 6-3, 245, Junior (Shelby, N.C.): One of only three linebackers in the nation with two interception returns for touchdowns this season. He leads the team with 70 tackles on the season, including 8.0 for a losses of 27 yards. He intercepted a pass in the first quarter against South Carolina and returned it 12 yards for his second touchdown of the year. Spikes led the Gators with seven tackles against Vanderbilt, including two for a loss of eight yards and was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against LSU, where he had his first career interception in the first quarter. On the first play of the fourth quarter, he added his second interception, which he returned 52 yards for his first career touchdown. He had a streak of 11 consecutive games with a tackle for loss end against LSU. Against Ole Miss, he had eight tackles in the first half for the second game in a row on his way to a season-high 13 tackles. He made his season debut against Miami and recorded a game-high 11 tackles, including 1.5 for a loss of three yards. He is a starter at middle linebacker who missed the first game due to a foot injury. Spikes has 37 unassisted tackles and 33 assisted tackles.

McArthur receives Presidential Service Award

Brandon McArthur, the UF baseball player who has overcome numerous obstacles during his career, has been awarded the President's Volunteer Service Award from President George W. Bush's Council on
Service and Participation. The award recognizes McArthur's contributions to the Gainesville community.

A native of Tampa, McArthur lends his time and support to a variety of charitable causes. He was named to the 2008 SEC Baseball Community Service Team that highlights an athlete from each school who gives back to his community in superior service efforts. 

McArthur has been a representative on Florida's Student-Athlete Committee (SAC) and is a frequent speaker at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes' meetings. He often visits the pediatric care unit at Shands Hospital (where he was a patient recovering from life-threatening injuries after he was attacked during his freshman season) and has participated in wheel-chair basketball with Special Olympians. McArthur spoke at "Youth Quake," an organization that provides alternative Christian entertainment that confronts issues relevant to today's teenagers and has given speeches at Gainesville middle schools about the importance of doing well in school. In addition, he is a member of the Big Brothers' organization in which he often brings children to practice and allows them to interact with fellow Gator baseball players. 

Harvin, Cunningham honored by SEC

Junior WB/RB Percy Harvin was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week by the league office on Monday, while teammate Jermaine Cunningham was named the Defensive Lineman of the Week.

Both were honored for their outstanding performances in Florida's 56-6 victory over South Carolina.

Harvin rushed for a career-high 167 yards, scoring a career-tying two rushing rushing touchdowns, in Florida’s 56-6 win over South Carolina.

Harvin’s 167 yards rushing against the Gamecocks are the most by any wide receiver in the nation this year against a Top 25 team. He has scored a touchdown in the past 12 games he has played in, tying for a national-best. His 80-yard rushing TD against South Carolina was a career-long.

Harvin leads the nation in yards per carry (9.2 / min. 5 carries per game).

Cunningham had a game-high eight tackles, including two for losses (-5 yards). He also had a forced fumble and a pass deflection and registered a half-sack (-2 yards).

The Gator defense limited South Carolina to only 53 yards rushing and did not allow USC to get into Florida territory until just over 11 minutes left in the second quarter. Florida held USC to three-and-out on eight possessions.

Gators' BCS standing, rankings remain unchanged

Florida remained at No. 4 in this week’s BCS rankings, and at No. 3 in the AP and USA Today Coaches poll. The Gators received one first-place vote in the USA Today Coaches Poll. The computers, however, are a little less kind. Florida is No. 5 behind undefeated Utah (4), Texas (3), Alabama (2) and Texas Tech (1).

Things could shake up considerably this weekend when No. 1 Texas Tech travels to No. 5 Oklahoma.

INJURY UPDATE: OL Jason Watkins (concussion) is probable for this week's game against The Citadel. OL Carl Johnson (MCL) is still questionable. Brandon Spikes (ankle) is "fine,'' coach Urban Meyer said.

Meyer not big on pre-game chit chat with opposing coaches

Apparently, you won't see Urban Meyer and former UF turned South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier hamming it up for the television cameras prior to Saturday afternoon's game in Gainesville.

Meyer told ESPN's Chris Fowler he's not into that made-for-TV kind of drama. He's all about focusing on his team.

Check that and some other insights here.

Tebow a finalist for Walter Camp Award

Another day, another mention of Tim Tebow for postseason honors.

The junior quarterback is one of 15 players named as “Players to
Watch” for the 2008 Walter Camp Player of the Year award, the fourth-oldest individual college football award in the nation.

Last season, Tebow was selected as an All-American by the Walter Camp
Football Foundation.

A list of five finalists will be announced on Dec. 2. The 2008
Walter Camp Player of the Year recipient, who is voted on by the
Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors, will be announced on Dec. 11, during the 6 p.m. edition of ESPN's SportsCenter.

Here is a full list of the finalists:

Sam Bradford, Sophomore, QB, Oklahoma
Donald Brown, Junior, RB, Connecticut
Michael Crabtree, Sophomore, WR, Texas Tech
Chase Daniel, Senior, QB, Missouri
Jarrett Dillard, Senior, WR, Rice
Graham Harrell, Senior, QB, Texas Tech
Jerry Hughes, Junior, DL, TCU
James Laurinaitis, Senior, LB, Ohio State
Jeremy Maclin, Sophomore, WR/KR, Missouri
Rey Maualuga, Senior, LB, USC
Aaron Maybin, Sophomore, DL, Penn State
Colt McCoy, Junior, QB, Texas
Scott McKillop, Senior, LB, Pittsburgh
Javon Ringer, Senior, RB, Michigan State
Tim Tebow, Junior, QB, Florida

Spurrier: Gamecocks fired up about coming to Gainesville

It has been an odd season for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Seven of their games this season are at home, and three of their SEC road games have come against teams with smaller stadiums - Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Kentucky.

So the opportunity to play the No. 3 team in the nation - in one of the largest stadiums in the conference - has the Gamecocks excited about playing in Gainesville this weekend, coach Steve Spurrier said.

"Our team is looking forward to going down there,'' Spurrier said. "It's sort of an unusual year. We have not gone to the big stadiums. We're going to the loudest visiting ball park of the year, and we'll see what happens down there.''

South Carolina is No. 1 in total defense this season, led by first-year defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson. Florida coach Urban Meyer called the Gamecocks' the most difficult defense the Gators have faced because of the multiple schemes Johnson throws at opposing offenses.

The Gators will also face a team that uses dual quarterbacks - redshirt sophomore Chris Smelley, and Tampa native Stephen Garcia. Spurrier said the way his team is playing right now (South Carolina has won six of their last seven games), he likes their chances.

"If we can take care of the ball, not get hurt with turnovers and special teams play, hopefully we can hang in there with the Gators and make a play at the end,'' he said.

UF-Citadel game to be Pay Per View

The Nov. 22 Florida vs. Citadel game will only be televised live on a Pay-Per-View basis, the school announced Monday.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Proceeds from the PPV broadcast will be donated to the UF libraries.  Since 1992, the University Athletic Association has donated
approximately $1 million to the UF Libraries and hurricane relief
efforts through these telecasts.

Tebow receives weekly honor

QB Tim Tebow has been named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week.

Tebow completed 12-of-17 passes for 171 yards and three touchdowns, and also rushed for a game-high 88 yards and two touchdowns a in a 42-14 win over Vanderbilt.

Tebow led drives in which the Gators scored on six of their first seven possessions, and his 26-yard touchdown run in the first quarter was a career-high.

In his last three games, Tebow has accounted for 14 touchdowns (7 rushing, 7 passing), and he leads the SEC in passing efficiency (167.1)and points responsible for.

Florida-South Carolina to air on CBS

No. 3 Florida will host No. 24 South Carolina at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 15, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville.

The game will be nationally televised on CBS.

It will be the second return to Gainesville for Steve Spurrier since he took over the Gamecocks' program. And although the hoopla surrounding Spurrier has subsided greatly since his first return, UF coach Urban Meyer said this game still has special significance because of the Gators' former coach.

"I think it is a rivarly game,'' Meyer said. "I think, first of all, South Carolina is a very good team. And then you have the built-in rivalry with coach Spurrier coming back to town. So I think you'll have a rivalry atmosphere here (this week).''

Florida No. 3 in AP, USA Today polls, but No. 4 in BCS

Urban Meyer said Sunday morning that the Gators entered the season with two goals: to make it to Atlanta and to be in the national conversation in November.

Mission accomplished.

Florida's victory over Vanderbilt Saturday night earned the Gators an SEC eastern division title and a spot in next month's SEC champsionship game against Alabama.

And the Gators are part of the national championship mix.

Florida moved up to No. 3 in both the AP and USA Today national polls, jumping one-loss Texas. Unbeaten Alabama and Texas Tech remain in the 1 and 2 positions respectively.

However, the Gators remain one spot behind the Longhorns in the BCS Standings, moving up to No. 4. Texas is No. 3 behind Texas Tech and Alabama.

The AP TOP 10: 1. Alabama; 2. Texas Tech; 3. Florida; 4. Texas; 5. Oklahoma; 6. USC; 7. Penn State; 8. Utah; 9. Boise State; 10. Ohio State

The USA TODAY TOP 10: 1. Alabama; 2. Texas Tech; 3. Florida; 4. Oklahoma; 5. Texas; 6. USC; 7. Utah; 8. Penn State; 9. Boise State; 10. Ohio State.

THE BCS TOP 10: 1. Alabama; 2. Texas Tech; 3. Texas; 4. Florida; 5. Oklahoma; 6. USC; 7. Utah; 8. Penn State; 9. Boise State; 10. Georgia.

Rays' Price will do coin toss at UF-Vandy game

Tampa Bay  rising star David Price, who helped the Rays reach the World Series for the first time in franchise history, is scheduled to be in Nashville today for the Florida-Vandy SEC football game.

Price was a star pitcher for the Commodores before becoming the top pick in the June amateur selections by the Rays inn 2007.

He was a vital part of the Tampa Bay's postseason success. Price, who remains extremely popular at Vanderbilt, is slated to participate in the pregame coin toss. The Gators and the Commodores play at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.

Tebow, Smith named to ESPN All-Academic Team

QB Tim Tebow and special teams player James Smith were named to the 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III First Team on Thursday. Both advance to the national ballot for Academic All-American accolades.

mith is pursuing his master's degree in entrepreneurship and owns a 3.48 grade point average during his first semester of graduate school. A three-time Academic All-SEC recipient, he was recently named a semifinalist for the 2008 Draddy Trophy, presented by the National Football Foundation for combined academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership.

Tebow carries a 3.70 grade point average in family, youth and community sciences. The only sophomore ever to win the Heisman, Davey O'Brien and Maxwell Awards, he was a 2007 first-team ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American and looks to become just the fourth UF football player to achieve Academic All-America recognition in consecutive seasons (Carlos Alvarez, 1969-71; Michael Gilmore, 1993-94; Danny Wuerffel, 1995-96).

Cameron Newton slightly injured in car accident

Reserve quarterback Cameron Newton did not practice on Wednesday after being involved in a car accident one day earlier.

UF coach Urban Meyer said Newton was placed in a neck brace after he was rear-ended in the accident.

Newton, who has been hampered with a high ankle sprain, didn't practice but will make the trip to Nashville with the team, Meyer said.

Several Gators in line for postseason awards

Tim Tebow is among 15 semifinalists for the Maxwell Award, given to the nation's top college football player. Tebow, who is the reigning winner, is on a short list that includes Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford and Texas Tech's quarterback Graham Harrell and receiver Michael Crabtree.

Junior LB Brandon Spikes is a semifinalist for the 14th Chuck Bednarik Award for the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year. Spikes leads the Florida defense this season with 59 total tackles, including six tackles for a loss of 21 yards and two interceptions, 55 interception
return yards, and one touchdown.

UF coach Urban Meyer is one of 15 semifinalists for the 20th annual George Munger Award, presented annually to the nation’s College Coach of the Year.

Redshirt senior DT Javier Estopinan, the redshirt senior defensive tackle has been named olne of 10 finalists for the Awards and Recognition Association (ARA) annual Sportsmanship Award, given to the outstanding NCAA Bowl Division collegiate football player who best personifies the spirit of sportsmanship. 

The son of Cuban immigrants, Estopinan is a Miami native who was voted a team captain and a 2008 Leadership Committee member for Florida.Estopinan, who has suffered two ACL injuries, became the first college graduate in his family when he earned his undergraduate degree in Geography after the 2007-08 academic year. Estopinan is currently one of four Gator football players enrolled in graduate school, as he’s pursuing a master’s in Building Construction.

Cornerback Rickerson arrested on battery charge; dismissed from team

Redshirt sophomore cornerback Jacques Rickerson was arrested early Tuesday morning and charged with domestic battery.

Rickerson, 20, allegedly was involved in a fight with his girlfriend that turned violent after she asked him to leave.

Police reports indicate he allegedly hit the woman on the side of the face and choked her. He also, according to the arrest report, attempted to prevent her from leaving by blocking the only door out of the room and grabbing her cell phone when she said she would call the police.

Court records show he did not have a first appearance hearing Tuesday morning, and no bond had been set. Because Florida law requires a defendant to personally appear before a judge in domestic violence cases, it's likely Rickerson will spend another night in jail.

Tuesday afternoon, Rickerson remained in the Alachua County Jail, and was dismissed from the team.

"Jacques Rickerson is no longer part of our team - that is not what
our program is about,'' UF coach Urban Meyer said in a statement. My focus and our team's focus is with the players who are part of the program and preparing for the Vanderbilt game."

Rickerson has played in all eight games this season as a backup cornerback and key special teams player.

Ronnie Wilson facing more legal trouble

GAINESVILLE - Florida lineman Ronnie Wilson's latest suspension from the team stems from an altercation he was allegedly involved in following the Gators' Oct. 4 victory over Arkansas.

A sworn complaint has been filed against Wilson, charging him with one count of assault and one count of battery, concerning the incident that allegedly happened around 3:30 a.m. on Oct. 5 - hours after Florida defeated Arkansas 38-7 in Fayetteville. Both are misdemeanor charges.

According to the Gainesville Police Department incident report, Wilson became involved in a "verbal altercation over a female at a birthday party'', which was held at the Lexington Crossing apartments in Gainesville. Wilson allegedly hit one of the victims with a closed fist while inside the party.

According to the alleged victims, Wilson then followed them outside and confronted them in a breezeway near the apartment where the incident began. Wilson attempted to punch the victim again, the report says, but instead hit a second victim as she tried to step in between them; she suffered a broken wrist. Wilson then attempted to hit a third victim who came to assist the others. According to the report, the third alleged victim stated he "was in fear for his safety due to the size of the defendant.''

Wilson is listed on the UF roster as 6-foot-3, 309 pounds.

Wilson was identified in a photo lineup by all three alleged victims, the report states. A fourth person, who was not involved in the altercation, also identified Wilson.

Wilson was a heralded recruit who was part of the offensive line that helped the Gators to a national championship in 2006. He was expected to be one of the team's best lineman the following season, but trouble derailed that. He was suspended in 2007 after firing an assault rifle into the air during an altercation in which he said he had been followed from a nightclub and feared for his safety. He was placed on two year's probation and given 100 hours of community service, but court records indicate the probation was terminated this past April after a judge ruled he had fulfilled his obligations.

After paying his own way for classes at UF during the spring and summer semesters, Wilson was allowed to rejoin the team this past August, but UF coach Urban Meyer said there was little room for error with Wilson.

Last week, Meyer acknowledge that Wilson was not practicing with the team. "We have some expectations and he's got to meet them,'' Meyer said. "He's not practicing. He's got to take care of some business. He did not elaborate further.

Gators move up to No. 5 in BCS Standings

The win over Georgia propelled the Gators up three spots to No. 5 in the BCS Standings, released Sunday night.

However, Florida's 49-10 win over the Bulldogs wasn't enough to jump one-loss Texas, which lost to then-No. 7 Texas Tech in the final seconds Saturday night.

The Gators' lone loss to Ole Miss was at home, to an unranked team, which obviously does not sit well with the computer rankings.

Florida also rose two spots in the Harris Interactive Poll, climbing to No. 4.

Here is the BCS Top 25:

1; Alabama; 0.974
2. Texas Tech; 0.937
3. Penn State; 0.928
4. Texas; 0.853
5. Florida; 0.826
6. Oklahoma; 0.822
7. Southern Cal; 0.755
8. Utah; 0.697
9. Oklahoma State; 0.666
10. Boise State; 0.652
11. Ohio State; 0.555
12. Texas Christian; 0.5444
13. Georgia; 0.536
14. Missouri; 0.492
15. Brigham Young; 0.373
16. LSU; 0.371
17. Ball State; 0.356
18. Michigan State; 0.336
19. North Carolina; 0.263
20. Georgia Tech; 0.188
21. California; 0.112
22. Florida State; 0.087
23. Maryland; 0.082
24. Northwestern; 0.081
25. West Virginia; 0.080

Gators move up in AP and USA Today polls

Its 49-10 victory over Georgia moved Florida up in both polls released on Sunday.

The Gators moved up one spot to No. 4 in the AP poll, while rising two spots to No. 5 in the USA Today Coaches poll.

Not surprisingly after No. 1 Texas lost to Texas Tech Saturday night, Alabama is No. 1 in both polls today. It is the first time since 1992 that Alabama has been ranked No. 1 in the AP poll.

Georgia fell to No. 14 in both polls.

Here is the Top 10 in each poll:

              AP                                   USA TODAY

1.          Alabama                           Alabama

2.          Texas Tech                        Penn State

3.          Penn State                        Texas Tech

4.          Florida                              Oklahoma

5.          Texas                               Florida

6.          Oklahoma                         USC

7.          USC                                 Texas

8.          Oklahoma State               Oklahoma State

9.          Boise State                      Utah

10.        Utah                               Boise State

Spikes one of 20 Lott Trophy Quarterfinalists

Junior LB Brandon Spikes is among 20 quarterfinalists for the Lott Trophy, awarded to college football's defensive impact Player of the Year.

Now in its fifth year, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player.

Seven different conferences are represented on the list of 20 with the SEC leading the way with five candidates.  Ohio State (James Laurinaitis, Malcolm Jenkins) is the only school with two quarterfinalists. There are nine linebackers on the list, seven defensive linemen and four defensive backs. While there are 10 seniors on the list, there are also nine juniors (and one sophomore, Eric Berry), the most underclassmen to make the quarter-finalist Lott Trophy Watch List.

The 20 Quarterfinalists:

Asher Allen, Jr., DB, Georgia

Eric Berry, So., DB, Tennessee

Aaron Curry, Sr., LB, Wake Forest

Brian Cushing, Sr., LB, USC

Zack Follett, Sr., LB, Cal

Mark Herzlich, Jr., LB, Boston College

George Hypolite, Sr., DT, Colorado

Jeremy Jarmon, Jr., DL, Kentucky

Malcolm Jenkins, Sr., DB, Ohio State

Jan Jorgensen, Jr., DE, BYU

James Laurinaitis, Sr., LB, Ohio State

Scott McKillop, Sr., LB, Pitt

Brit Miller, Sr., LB, Illinois

Eric Norwood, Jr., LB, South Carolina

Brian Orakpo, Sr., DE, Texas

Nick Reed, Sr., DE, Oregon

Myron Rolle, Jr., S, Florida State

George Selvie, Jr., DE, South Florida

Brandon Spikes, Jr., LB, Florida

Sean Weatherspoon, Jr., LB, Missouri

Tebow has been playing slightly injured

Tim Tebow suffered a hyper-extended knee in the Oct. 4 game against Arkansas, but coach Urban Meyer said Thursday it has not affected Tebow's play at all and he hasn't missed any practice time.

"It’s fine,'' Meyer said. "Go to sleep tonight knowing he’s fine."

The injury was revealed after CBS play-by-play announcer Gary Danielson said Thursday that Meyer told him Tebow had been injured earlier in the season, but Florida had kept it quiet.

"Tim Tebow was a little bit nicked early on and no one talked about it,'' Danielson said in his weekly press release for CBS. "Urban Meyer didn't even tell us (for previous CBS broadcasts). They kept it well-hidden that he had a little bit of a hyper-extended knee that he hurt early in the season. I wondered why he wasn't running like last year. He didn't seem the same. He was more of a finesse runner than a power runner. Urban Meyer had told us that he is finally 100 percent. We will see the real Tebow (Saturday).''

Meyer said the injury happened on an interception throw in the Arkansas game, and he didn't not talk about it because Tebow continued to play.

"The other day he told me he said "Boy my knee’s feeling really good.' And I was like your knee? What are you talking about? He said "well I banged it a little bit.' He’s fine, he’s 100 percent.''

Meyer said Tebow isn't one to talk about his injuries, pointing out that Tebow told him before last year's Georgia game that he was "fine.''

"I later found he couldn’t pick his arm up,'' Meyer said.

Meyer said he has not noticed any different in Tebow, including his running ability.

Georgia QB: Players love the game in Jacksonville

It never fails that every year this time, talk turns to the future of the  Florida-Georgia rivalry in Jacksonville, with fans from both sides arguing that the game should be moved to a home-and-home situation in Athens and Gainesville.

The two schools have played in Jacksonville 75 times, but the subject of moving the game never seems to go away.

Interestingly enough, the people with the most at stake don't seem to care. Many players say they like the series just the way it is, including Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Stafford said this week that despite what the fans think, the players don't want the game moved.

"I don't think it's a big deal for us as players,'' Stafford said. ""I think the fans make more of a big deal about it than anything, that the game is played in Jacksonville. We love that venue. The fans are split half-and-half. I don't think we'd have it any other way. We really enjoy it there.''

Florida coach Urban Meyer said this week that he also  likes the game in Jacksonville, with the 50-50 split of fans.

"It's all good,'' Meyer said. "The players will experience one of the greatest things they can experience in college football. To walk into that stadium and see a 50-50 crowd split right down the middle of the uprights. Bot the red and black and the orange and blue are loud the entire game. (Motioning for the crowd) to quiet down doesn't work at this game. I'm honored to coach in these types of games and I know our players will feel the same way about their experience.''

For more on where contract negotiations between the City of Jacksonville and the two schools, click here.

Ronnie Wilson facing more trouble

Lineman Ronnie Wilson will not make the trip to Jacksonville this week, and may have played his last game as a Gator.

Wilson is currently not practicing with the team, and coach Urban Meyer would only say Wednesday that Wilson has some business to attend to.

Wilson, who was a reserve lineman on the 2006 national championship team, was suspended in 2007 after firing a gun into the air in the offseason. He attended UF with his own money before being reinstated, but his return hasn't been all smooth.

Meyer said following Wednesday's practice: "We have some expectations and he's got to meet them. He's not practicing. He's got to take care of some business.''

Wuerffel to sign autographs in Jacksonville this weekend

As part of the "Sports Illustrated Evolution of the Game Tour". former Florida Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel will be among former Florida and Georgia legends signing autographs prior to Saturday's Florida-Georgia game in Jacksonville.

Sports Illustrated and Nissan are paying tribute to the ever-evolving game of college football by stopping at 10 games across the country throughout the 2008 season.  Admission to the tour is free, and fans can get a complimentary copy of a special “Game Breakers” collector’s edition of Sports Illustrated.

Wuerffel, the quarterback of the 1996 UF national champions, will sign autographs from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

SI senior writer Dan Patrick will be signing autographs from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Former Georgia All-America running back and 1992 Doak Walker Award winner Garrison Hearst will sign autographs from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

From 10 a.m. until the game's 3:30 p.m. kickoff, fans can have their  picture taken on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the Heisman Trophy, take a trip into college football history inside the SI Vault Museum and watch football games and highlights on plasma TVs.

The events will be held at the Championship Dreams Festival located outside of the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium’s South End Zone.

Miles, Fulmer breakdown UF-UGA matchup

Statistically, they are about as close as two teams can get, near mirror-images of each other in several categories, including total offense.

But while the Florida and Georgia coaching staffs continue to break down film of each other, two league coaches know first-hand what to expect from the Gators and Bulldogs.

Tennessee and LSU have each played both teams. Here's how their respective coaches breakdown the matchup.

Les Miles, LSU:

They are certainly both very capable teams. If Georgia continues to run the football like they have, they have a very, very talented receiving corps and they can throw the ball down the field well. I think that gives the Georgia offense their best opportunity at that matchup. I think the Florida offense certainly is extremely dangerous in itself with Tebow running their offense. It’s going to be a great matchup. I think it will really test both defenses and I think the big plays that are made in that game and the fewest mistakes made will probably win.''

Phillip Fulmer:

"Both of them are really fine football teams. I’m not sure at this point in the seson where they are health-wise. Both have that guy that can pull the trigger for them – Stafford and Tebow. That’s kind of where a good offensive team needs to start with efficient quarterbacks. And both are definitely that, where it’s throwing, or in Tebow’s case the ability to make a play by running. Certainly, both of them have good, solid defensive football teams, and both have solid kicking games. So it should be a heck of a matchup when they play."

Asked if either team has an advantage, Fulmer replied: "No, I don’t see it.''

Florida-Georgia preview

Antonya English previews Saturday's Florida-Georgia game, including a look back at the end zone celebration controversy that defined last season's 42-30 Bulldogs win, in an audio slide show.

(Pictured: Florida's Percy Harvin runs with the ball during last season's game. Times photo -- Brian Cassella. Click to enlarge.)

Special teams living up to expectations

It's considered the favorite unit on an Urban Meyer-coached team, so you can bet Florida's special teams players are in good stead with the coach these days.

Florida's five blocked kicks this season surpasses last year's total of four, and brings to 42 the number of blocked kicks by teams with Meyer as head coach (including Bowling Green and Utah).

And then there's Brandon James, who is one of three players in the nation to return two punts for touchdowns this season, and who is tied for first nationally on the NCAA active chart for career punt returns for a touchdown (4).

In last Saturday's game, Florida blocked two punts and a field goal. Meyer said it's that kind of effort on special teams that wins games, particularly big games like this week's showdown with Georgia.

"It crushes you,'' Meyer said. "There is no worse sound than the thump-thump of a kick being blocked; especially if we are playing in another stadium. In our mind, it's hard to equate another play as significant as a blocked punt."

Tebow among O'Brien semifinalists

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow is among 13 semifinalists for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award on Monday.

Tebow, the reigning O'Brien winner, joins two other SEC quarterbacks, Alabama's John Parker Wilson and Georgia's Matthew Stafford.

Semifinalists were selected by The O'Brien Selection Committee, comprised of journalists, broadcasters, commentators and former winners, as well as fans across the country with the top three quarterbacks from The O'Brien Fan Vote being added to the list. The Selection Committee is asked to evaluate each candidate on his quarterback skills, athletic ability, academics, character, leadership, sportsmanship and reputation as a team player.

The 13 Semifinalists will contend for the award until the list is narrowed to three Finalists on November 24. All Finalists will be in attendance when the winner is announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards in Orlando on Dec. 11. The recipient will be honored February 16, 2009, at the 32nd Annual O'Brien Awards Dinner at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

Fans are able to vote for semifinalist candidates once daily at www.VoteOBrien.org. The voting will continue throughout the semifinalist and finalist rounds with 5% of the final tally coming directly from the Fan Vote.

Here are the semfinalists:

2008 O'Brien Semifinalists

Sam Bradford        SO    Oklahoma    Big 12

Daryll Clark           JR      Penn State      Big Ten

Chase Daniel            SR      Missouri        Big 12

Max Hall                JR      BYU             MWC

Graham Harrell          SR      Texas Tech      Big 12

David Johnson           SR      Tulsa           C-USA

Colt McCoy              JR      Texas           Big 12

Todd Reesing            JR      Kansas          Big 12

Zac Robinson            JR      Oklahoma State  Big 12

Mark Sanchez            JR      USC             Pac-10

Matthew Stafford        JR      Georgia         SEC

Tim Tebow               JR      Florida         SEC

John Parker Wilson      SR      Alabama         SEC

Jeff Demps named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week

Freshman RB and special teams player Jeff Demps on Monday was named Special Teams Player of the Week, the league office announced.

In Florida's 63-5 win over Kentucky, the 5-foot-8 Demps was involved in key plays in several facets of the game.

He blocked a punt in the first quarter that set up a 1-yard touchdown run to give UF a 14-0 lead. He had a 27-yard return on that play. He was one of three Gators who had blocked kicks in the game.

He also led the Gators in rushing (seven carries for 50 yards) and receiving (four catches for 67 yards and a TD).

"The fact that he takes so much pride in special teams tells you what a special player he is,'' RB coach Kenny Carter said. "It doesn't surprise me at all what he's accomplished in such a short time.''

Cornerback Janoris Jenkins injured vs. Kentucky

After earning himself a starting job two weeks ago, freshman cornerback Janoris Jenkins suffered a setback on Saturday.

Jenkins has a bruised shin. He left the game before halftime and did not return.  

“He’s day-to-day,’’ UF coach Urban Meyer said. “We expect him to be very probable for this week.’’     

Senior OL Phil Trautwein has a shoulder injury, but is expected to practice and play this week. RB Emmanuel Moody did not play, but Meyer said he was “80 percent’’ last week and should be ready to go against Georgia.

DT Troy Epps has a knee injury and DT Torrey Davis did not play due to coaches decision. Meyer said he did not practice well leading into the game.

James named to Sporting News Midseason All-American team

Junior return specialist Brandon James is among seven players from the SEC, and the only Gator, selected to the inaugural Sporting News Today's Midseason All-American team, announced on Friday.

Selected as a punt returner, James currently ranks fourth in the nation with a 20.9-yard average return. He has scored two touchdowns off punt returns this season and is currently tied with Jacquez Green (1995-97) for the school record for career punt returns for a touchdown with four.

The full team selections follow:

Offense
QB Colt McCoy, Texas
RB Javon Ringer, Michigan State
RB Shonn Greene, Iowa
WR Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State
WR Eric Decker, Minnesota
TE Chase Coffman, Missouri
OL Andre Smith, Alabama
OL Michael Oher, Mississippi
OL Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
OL Alex Mack, California
OL Herman Johnson, LSU
K Louie Sakoda, Utah
KR Derrick Williams, Penn State

Defense
DE Brian Orakpo, Texas
DE Jerry Hughes, TCU
DT Terrence Cody, Alabama
DT Fili Moala, USC
LB Rennie Curran, Georgia
LB Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh
LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
CB Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest
S Eric Berry, Tennessee
S Kevin Ellison, USC
P Kevin Huber, Cincinnati
PR Brandon James, Florida

Kentucky hoping for offensive improvement this week

If Kentucky coach Rich Brooks could have the offensive unit he had last season to go with the defense he has this year, he'd be a much happier man right now, he admits.

But as the Wildcats prepare to play the Gators in Gainesville this weekend, Brooks is bringing in an injury-filled team he hopes can find a consistent, offensive rhythm.

Kentucky scored two touchdowns in just under five minutes in a come-from-behind win over Arkanasas last week, and Brooks is hoping that will be the catalyst for improvement.

"We need to continue to get the ball down the field,'' he said. "For five minutes we looked like we had an offense this last week. We need to build on that, as well as how good our running game looked in the first half. I think we would have looked better if we would have had more opportunities in the second half, but we didn't get the ball very much. On the three scoring drives with a total of six plays it doesn't let you see what you really have. I wouldn't be upset to continue to see that, however. It is going to be difficult. It is difficult to move the ball when you have experience on offense let alone when you have inexperience, especially with the defenses we have in this league."

Brooks said his biggest concern is the Wildcats' injuries as they face a team that had last week off to rest and heal. Kentucky has five defensive starters who are either out or doubtful this week. And its two best offensive players, WR Dicky Lyons, Jr. and RB Derrick Locke are both out for the season with knee injuries suffered the past two weeks.

The Gators enter this game with a 21-game winning streak over Kentucky.

SEC official is new YouTube sensation

If you were watching the South Carolina- LSU game last Saturday night when an SEC official inadvertently tackled South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia during the game, you might get a laugh out of this story.

You know how things go. Almost anything will get you on YouTube these days, and the SEC ref is no exception.

Meyer hoping LSU momentum carries over this week

If he had his druthers, following Florida's dominating win over LSU two weeks ago Urban Meyer would have wanted to play the next week instead of having an open date as the Gators did.

Meyer said Wednesday that while the open date has helped players heal and rest up for the final stretch of the season, he wonders if the Gators have lost momentum.

"I'd rather play,'' Meyer said when asked if he liked having the open date last week. "Anytime you have good momentum and chemistry, you'd like to carry that on into the next week. But it's also mid-year and you need the chance to get some guys healthy.''

Meyer said if the team makes it through Wednesday's practice injury-free, the Gators will enter Saturday's Homecoming game against Kentucky "about as healthy as we've been in awhile.''

LB Dustin Doe (double hernia) could return this weekend after missing the past two games, and RB Emmanuel Moody (ankle) is probable, although how long, and how well. he'll be able to play is uncertain.

Meyer said the Gators played so well against LSU that he's eager to see if they can sustain that this weekend.

"You worry about losing time and momentum, that's what you worry about,'' he said.

Leave a question for Antonya

Do you have a question about the Gators' big win over LSU or upcoming games against Kentucky and Georgia? Wondering about Percy Harvin's health? Tim Tebow's Heisman hopes?

We want to hear from you. Leave us a question in the 'Comments' area below, and Gators beat reporter Antonya English will answer them. We'll post a full transcript on Oct. 28, in preparation for the Florida-Georgia game.

Fans encouraged to say farewell to "Mr. Two-Bits"

He retired once before, but was lured back into his familiar role.

Now it appears Florida's "Mr. Two-Bits'' is ready to hang it up for good this time.

Tampa resident George Edmondson, who has led the cheer at Gator games for 60 years, will retire at the end of the season.

Edmondson, 86, will be honored prior to kickoff of this weekend's Homecoming game against Kentucky. Fans are encouraged to arrive early for the ceremony, and to wear orange.

Spikes a Lombardi Trophy Semifinalist

Junior LB Brandon Spikes is one of 12 players selected as a semifinalist for the Lombardi award, presented annually to college football's top
lineman or linebacker.

Four finalists will be selected in November, and this year's winner will be announced at the Dec. 10 award dinner at the Hilton Americas Hotel in downtown Houston.

Spikes leads the Gators with 46 tackles and intercepted two passes against LSU, one of which he returned 52-yards for a touchdown. Spikes ranks third in the SEC with 9.2 tackles per game.

Several injured Gators could return this week

Florida will return to practice Monday afternoon after taking the weekend off, and several injured Gators are expected to participate and be ready to play when the Gators host Kentucky on Saturday, coach Urban Meyer said.

RB Chris Rainey (shoulder), RB Emmanuel Moody (sprained ankle) and K Caleb Sturgis (hyperextended knee) are all scheduled to return to practice. Moody may not participate in the full practice on Monday, but Meyer said there's a good chance he'll be ready to play on Saturday. He did not play in the LSU game two weeks ago, while Rainey was injured in that game.

Meyer described his team as "very professional'' in the two weeks following the loss to Ole Miss and said he's eager to see how they respond this week at practice, particularly today, after taking several days off and being away from each other and the coaching staff all weekend due to the bye week.

Fan of Brandon Spikes? He needs your vote

If you're a Gator fan who thinks LB Brandon Spikes deserves to be recognized, here's your chance to help.

Spikes is one of four nominees for the AT&T All-America Player of the Week, following the Gators’ 51-21 victory over defending national champion LSU last weekend. He is the only defensive player to be nominated this year.

Spikes joins Oklahoma State RB Kendall Hunter, Texas WR Jordan Shipley and Arkansas RB Michael Smith as nominees following the seventh week of college football.

The SEC Defensive Player of the Week had a career-high two interceptions, including a 52-yard touchdown return in the fourth quarter for his first career score. With the interceptions, he became one of only six linebackers in the nation to have two picks in a game this season.

Fans can vote for Spikes by using the text message VOTE to 51234 on their wireless phone. The deadline to vote is 11:59 ET on Wednesday and the winner will be announced during Thursday’s ESPN College Football Primetime. There is no limit on fan voting and each vote counts as one entry into a sweepstakes to win a trip to the 2009 BCS National Championship game in Miami.

CBS announces Florida-Georgia game time

The Florida vs. Georgia game on Nov. 1 will kickoff at 3:30 p.m., and will be televised on CBS, the network announced on Tuesday.

The game will be held at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in Jacksonville.

Florida gets another early game on Raycom

The Oct. 25 Kentucky at Florida game will kickoff at 12:30 p.m., the school announced Monday morning.

The game will be televised on Raycom Sports.

This will be the fourth 12:30 game of the season for the Gators. Florida also played Hawaii, Ole Miss and Arkansas on Raycom Sports.

Brandon Spikes Named SEC Defensive Player of the Week

After a subpar game at Arkansas two weeks ago, junior LB Brandon Spikes rebounded with a performance that was so good Saturday night against LSU that it earned him SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

In Florida's 51-21 win over LSU, Spikes had five tackles and a career-high two interceptions, including one he returned 52 yards for a touchdown to put the game out of reach for the Tigers.

He is one of just six linebackers in the nation to have two interceptions in a game this season. Spikes is Florida's leading tackler with 46.

Gators move up in polls after LSU win

Florida's 30-point win over then-No. 4 LSU Saturday night vaulted the Gators back into to Top 5 in one poll, the Top 10 in another.

Florida is ranked No. 5 in the AP poll, ahead of three undefeated teams: Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and BYU.

However, in the USA Today Coaches Poll, the Gators are ranked No. 7, behind Texas Tech, and BYU.

Texas, with its win over last week's No. 1 Oklahoma, jumped Alabama to take over the No. 1 position in both polls.

The Gators (5-1) will be off this week, then host Kentucky on Oct. 25.

Here is the AP Top 10:

1. Texas (6-0)

2. Alabama (6-0)

3. Penn State (7-0)

4. Oklahoma (5-1)

5. Florida (5-1)

6. USC (4-1)

7. Texas Tech (6-0)

8. Oklahoma State (6-0)

9. BYU (6-0)

10. Georgia (5-1)

USA TODAY

1. Texas, 2. Alabama, 3. Penn State, 4. USC, 5. Texas Tech, 6. Oklahoma; 7. Florida, 8. BYU, 9. Georgia, 10. Oklahoma State.

Gators to get visit from 28 recruits at LSU game

Four of the nation's top high school recruits will join 24 other high school players who will be attending tonight's LSU game to see what the Gators have to offer.

Bob Redman, of FightinGators.com is all over the recruiting scene. Here's his breakdown of tonight's visitors.

LSU will be without DT Ricky Jean-Francois vs. Gators

LSU DT Ricky Jean-Francois, who was quoted earlier this week as saying if he got a shot, he wanted to take Florida QB Tim Tebow out, is injured and did not make the trip to Gainesville, according to Glenn Gilbeau of Gannett News Service.

Jean-Francois injured his groin and hip in the Tigers' last game on Sept. 27 against Mississippi State and was held out of practice during the open date last week. He returned to practice this week, but it was determined that he would not be able to play, according to a story on the USA Today website.

Here's the story.

Harvin's ankle won't keep him out of LSU game

Despite missing several days of practice this week with a sprained right ankle, junior WR/RB Percy Harvin is expected to play when the Gators host LSU Sunday night, coach Urban Meyer said Thursday.

OG Jim Tartt and RB Emmanuel Moody remain questionable for the game.

Freshman DT Omar Hunter Omar Hunter has a sprained ankle, and did not make the trip to Arkansas. Hunter, who has been plagued by injuries, has not practiced yet this week. Meyer said he does not know if Hunter will redshirt this season. And although he has struggled with the injuries, Meyer said his attitude and work ethic remain strong.

LSU player clarifies comments on Tebow

Okay, let's just forget the whole thing.

That's what LSU DT Ricky Jean-Francois is saying now. The junior said earlier this week he wanted to take Tebow out of the game if he had a clear shot during Saturday night's LSU-Florida game, but in a release by the school he said he never meant it the way it may have initially sounded.

"We never go into any football game trying to hurt a player from the other team," he said in the release. "My comments in regard to Florida quarterback Tim Tebow were misinterpreted and were intended to reflect the style of football that we play at LSU. We have great respect for Tim as player and a competitor. By taking him out of the game, I meant, as a defense we are going to try to make him ineffective. I'm sorry that my initial comments were interpreted another way."

Apology most likely accepted since Tebow said on Tuesday he wasn't offended and he didn't think Jean-Francois meant it the way it in a harmful way.

Gators, Tigers still troubled by recent losses to each other

The video of last year's loss to LSU has now expanded from the weight room to the hallways and other areas of the Florida football facility.

That final, fateful fourth-quarter drive in a 28-24 loss still haunts the Gators.

But it turns out, the Tigers are still bothered by, and looking for motivation from, Florida's 23-10 victory in 2006 at Florida Field.

"It certainly is not a pleasant memory,'' LSU coach Les Miles said Wednesday morning. "I didn't feel like we as a team played as well as we're capable. We made mistakes, we turned the ball over unecessarily. I really felt like we should have played a lot better football game there. And certainly that's the goal, to change that as we go to Florida this weekend.''

Meanwhile, the Gators continue to use last year's loss at motivation.

"What's tough is you look at that game and we led up until a minute before it ended,'' UF defensive coordinator Charlie Strong said. "It's just the third downs we allowed them to get. Every possession, we were
watching it just the other day, and it was third-and-1, third-and-2, and then they get the fourth-and-1 and fourth-and-2. We get them to third-and- 18 and guy scrambles for 17 yards. It's hard because all those fourth downs, they made them. The goal line stand, we bring (Ryan) Stamper off the edge and you think you have the guy stopped . . . But it's tough and it's good that our players saw that game. You can still show it to them (and say) 'Look guys this cannot happen again.' ''

Florida-LSU audio slide show

Has Florida regained its footing from its upset loss to Mississippi with last weekend's win over Arkansas?

What did the Gators learn from last season's come-from-ahead loss to LSU? Why is Urban Meyer replaying the game in the weight room?

And what is Percy Harvin's status for Saturday's game?

Times beat writer Antonya English discusses this and more in an audio slide show.

LSU lineman says Tebow will be a target

Ahhhh, the buildup just keeps getting better for this weekend's Florida-LSU game in Gainesville. Now we've officially got trash-talking.

LSU DT Ricky Jean-Francois, a fomer Miami Carol City standout, told the Orlando Sentinel that if the Tigers get a clean shot at Tim Tebow, they'll try to knock the Florida quarterback out of the game Saturday night.

Details here.

Following Tuesday night's practice, Tebow said he's not concerned about Jean-Francois' comment.

"I'm a competitor and I think he really wasn't meaning it like a lot of people took it,'' Tebow said. "I just heard the statement and I think you'll try to use anything as motivation. But I don't think he really meant everything he said.''

Florida coach Urban Meyer said he was disappointed in the comment adding, "there's no place for that.''

Tebow said he thinks players should shy away from trash talk.

"I don't think it's ever a really good thing to talk trash because all it does is fire your opponent up,''
Tebow said. "At least I know that's how it is for me. I think people get fired up and even more competitive because that's how I am. So I don't think that's ever a good thing. But I really don't think he meant it like he said it.''

Ranked higher than Florida, LSU responds to underdog role

If you listen and read many college football analysts this week, No. 4 LSU is considered the underdog against No. 11 Florida this week. A lot of that has to do with the game being played in Gainesville.

LSU, therefore, is out to prove itself against the Gators.

Here's a Times-Picayune story on the the Tigers' thoughts about being the underdog.

Les Miles: Florida and Tebow underrated

LSU coach Les Miles said this week that despite Florida's loss to Ole Miss, he believes the Gators might be better than a No. 12/13 team.

Miles said after watching tape of the UF-Mississippi game, he thought Florida "played very well, but credit should go to Mississippi'' for outplaying the Gators on that particular day.

Still, he thinks the Gators may be underrated.

"Florida is a tremendous team in my opinion,'' Miles said. "They don't have any weaknesses. Nationally ranked, No. 11 is probably underselling them some. I think they are as talented a football team as I've seen.''

As for questions about whether Florida QB Tim Tebow is "struggling'' this season, Miles said he's not sure why people keep making that assessment.

"In my opinion, as a sophomore Heisman Trophy winner I think he's becoming more well-rounded, understands the game more and appears to me he's making better reads,'' Miles said. "He's certainly a competitive player, plays best when the chips are down, so I certainly have great respect for their quarterback and leader on their football team.''

You can decide for yourself it it's sincere, or just a coach saying nice things about the opponent because he has to.

Harvin's ankle injury not serious

Even though he was spotted wearing a boot Sunday night, UF coach Urban Meyer said RB Percy Harvin's ankle isn't seriously injured and he should be good to go for the LSU game.

"He was sore (Sunday), and they had him in a boot,'' Meyer said. "But he should be fine. Today is a good day off for him and those guys (injured).''

And add Will Hill to the list of players expected to return from injuries this week. Hill missed the Arkansas game with a hamstring injury.

Kenny Carter excited about his former team's success

Vanderbilt is 5-0 for the first time since 1943 and Florida RB coach Kenny Carter is ecstatic about the success Vandy is having this season. Carter joined the UF staff last spring after spending four seasons as the RB coach with the Commodores.

“I’m extremely excited about what’s going on with those guys,’’ Carter said. I talk to them all the time. I’m on the bus to Arkansas and I text Bobby (Johnson, Vandy head coach), and Bobby text me back. I have a great relationship with those guys and that’ll never change. Until we go to Nashville.’’

Carter said Johnson warned him earlier this year that the Commodores would be No. 1 at this point in the season.

"When I got here (at Florida), he text me and said, 'How's it going?' And I text him back and said, 'Everything's going good,''' Carter recalled. "He said, 'Well the only thing good thing that happened since you left is i got a better golf partner.' He's a really good golfer.