Playing in Urban Meyer's spread-option offense for the second season in 2006, Florida senior quarterback Chris Leak looks to rebound from a junior season in which he struggled adapting to Meyer's system.
Leak's struggles led Meyer to bring in highly-rated prospect Tim Tebow, whose game fits the offense better. Leak, howver, will remain at the controls to start the 2006 season for the Gators and he needs just 2,605 passing yards to become the Gators' all-time leader.
Leak does have the luxury of throwing to a talented group of wide receivers in Dallas Baker, Andre Caldwell and Jemalle Cornelius.
"I think a lot of this offense comes down to the ability for our guys to make plays," offensive coordinator Dan Mullen said. "If you're going to be an explosive, high-scoring offense, you have to make a lot of big plays and have a lot of big playmakers. If we get some guys that step up into that role and can do those things, that's when you'll see the offensive explosion."
Meyer's teams have been known to have explosive offenses. His 2004 Utah team went 12-0 and beat Pittsburgh 35-7 in the Fiesta Bowl. The Utes were third in the nation in total offense that year, behind the quarterback play of future #1 NFL pick Alex Smith.
In 2002, Bowling Green finished ninth in total offense in Meyer's second year.
Meyer is telling the people close to him that he is expecting similar success this season. One obstacle to that success is the the Gators tough schedule, which includes games against Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Tennessee and Florida State.
Florida's opponent in Week 1 will test Meyer and Leak's progess early. One of the most successful and underrated Division I-A programs over the last 12 years, Southern Mississippi will take on the Gators in the Swamp saturday.
The Golden Eagles are one of just seven teams with 12 or more straight winning seasons and finished 7-5 last season, including a 31-19 over Arkansas St in the New Orleans Bowl. They've played in a bowl game eight of the last nine years.
The main reason for the consistent sucess is head coach Jeff Bower, who in 15 years since taking charge at his alma mater has 103 wins.
Florida has won all four meetings between the schools.
The Gators won 21-6 in Gainesville in the last meeting between the two schools in 1997.
The bottom line is we look for Florida to control this game from start to finish. Leak and Meyer need to get off to an impressive start in 2006 to keep the fans, boosters, and media from hooting and hollering asking for a change at the QB position. Florida went 7-0 at home last season, including 5-2 against the spread.
Southern Mississippi vs. Florida
Look for the Gators to get it done today by 4 touchdowns.
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Southern Mississippi vs. Florida
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