Overhyped and Underachieving.

QB Tim Tebow evades LSU defense

This past Saturday, I was sitting around anxiously awaiting eight o’clock game between the University of Florida Gators and the LSU Tigers.  Hyped to be one of the best games of the season but I was thoroughly disappointed and had my opinions of Florida as #1 validated.

Florida headed to Baton Rouge, LA to prove that they deserved to be number one, and they showed that being number one is just a popularity poll.  The Gator defense played great again. Getting their fifteenth straight game with an interception, however the offense was a complete disappointment.  The majority of the offensive production came from TE Aaron Hernandez and RB Jeffery Demps. Who combined for 156 of 327 yards. Most of those yards coming on swing passes and screens.

Throughout the game, Florida QB Tim Tebow struggled to find any offensive momentum against an inferior defense. WR Riley Cooper scored the only touchdown in the game after he pulled on the Tiger defender, knocking him off balance and lead to a wide-open Cooper.  The Gators had another opportunity to score but were stopped three times in the red zone and then Caleb Sturgis missed an easy twenty-five yard field goal.

The Tiger offense was just as horrible managing only 162 yards. Tiger QB Jordan Jefferson completed 11 of 17 for 96 yards and had one interception. The sophomore QB never found his groove as the Florida defensive line was able to apply pressure constantly. His constant attempts to extend the play and scramble killed all offensive momentum for the tigers.

I’m going to state this right from the beginning, that I do NOT believe Florida is worthy of the number one ranking. They have played five games so far, and only two of these games were any competition.

In the first week, Florida faced off against Charleston Southern (W 63-3). Which was barely a football game at all; rather it was a practice for the Gators. The second week, the Gators faced Troy; winning the game 56-6 again they faced a team that was not able to play against the defending national champions. Despite playing both of these games, Florida remained number one, receiving 56 first place votes both weeks.

I understand that schools schedule “tune-up” games in the beginning for the team, but in those two weeks, we had matchups that meant so much more, Alabama vs. Virginia Tech, Oklahoma vs. BYU.  These games proved that Alabama and BYU were superior teams, because they faced off against quality opponents.

When facing ranked opponents, Florida has failed to show that competitive edge. That attitude that shows they are the best. In both games, the Gators’ offense faced a strong defense. However, the defense has not been challenged yet, as they have faced young offenses in Tennessee and LSU.

Despite not being challenged yet the Gators have remained at number one, and look to remain there barring an upset. Until Florida faces a “quality” opponent such as Alabama, Virginia Tech, Texas, or USC, I argue that Florida does not deserve #1.