What's the skinny on the Florida Gators?

Question

I'm moving to FL, & everyone seems to love the Gators.

I don't know why.. Can someone give me some history on the team, tell me about their coach(es) and players? Tell me why or why not people like them?

And how are they expected to do this season?

Answer 1

Top talent - rated in everyone's top 5 pre-season. With the additional talent this year in the backfield, you'll probably see two things:

1.  Less production by Tebow since he has more talented support

2.  Better finish by the team overall due to team strength.

Gators are one of three predominant teams in the state, the others being Miami and FSU.  All three of these schools have been powers and National Champs over the last twenty years, with each having their era.  Florida is the strongest of the three at present, and the most recent National Champion.  Tim Tebow, their QB, is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, an athlete of exceptionally rare talent, and extraordinary character.  The fact that he was home-schooled, and the son of missionaries, before coming to Florida, has made him, and the Gators, even more of a Florida favorite.  They play - like all Florida universities, a very wide open, exciting brand of football with a spread offense.  They are a legitimate threat for the national title this year, as one of the stronger teams in the nation's premier conference, the SEC (Southeastern Conference), which has won the National Championship the last two years (Florida 2007, LSU 2008). Interestingly, both schools were matched against Ohio State University in each of those title games, and each dominated OSU. FSU and Miami are in a "rebuilding" era at the present, with questions raised about the long term effectiveness of their coaches/programs, so more and more people are getting behind the University of Florida at Gainesville. FSU is in Tallahassee, and Miami is self-explanatory.  South Florida and Central Florida are also emerging in the last couple seasons as programs on the rise.  So Florida football has an internally competitive and nationally bright future.

That should get you started.

You should also know that Florida is traditionally one of the top 3 sources of college recruiters' high school talent, along with Texas and California.  If you're interested, you'll see some exceptional high school games in Florida. Football is of premier importance in the southern culture, far more than most of the country (by southern I mean from Florida west to Texas), so, having a working knowledge of key elements (like you are seeking) will help you form relationships faster and enjoy your friendships more.  You will find that pro football is a distant second to college football in the south.  As it should be!

All the best to you and your family on your move.