By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season
Everyone knows Florida's Urban Meyer can recruit, he can coach and he can win big football games. But he's never been asked to coach a team after a health scare, a leave of absence, a reversal of the leave of absence and then the departures of Tim Tebow and 10 other starters.
Meanwhile, John Brantley might be the nation's best-known quarterback never to have been a regular starter. He fills Tebow's big shoes in 2010, but those in the Gator camp have been high on him since his decorated prep career and they expect him to man the quarterback controls well this year.
EXTRA: Images From 2009 Season: Florida at LSU | Florida at Kentucky
Helping ease his transition is a group of backs/wideouts/athletes that is sure to make big plays all season long.
Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey combined for 1,300 yards on the ground last year. Demps will handle the bulk of the carries as Rainey is expected to line up more in the slot this year. Emmanuel Moody (378 yards in 2009) and Mike Gillislee (267) fill out the stable of running backs nicely.
And behind a line that returns three senior starters, including Mike Pouncey, Brantley should find top target Deonte Thompson for many big plays in 2010.
Defensively, the Gators must replace a ton of talent, much of which will be playing on Sundays this fall.
But Florida brings back a solid secondary led by safety Ahmad Black and cornerback Janoris Jenkins. Senior A.J. Jones will lead a steady but not spectacular linebacking corps. There are question marks at both defensive end positions, but the Gators have several players who can competently man the middle and keep Florida among the better run-stopping units in the SEC.
Who's back? RB Jeff Demps, RB/WR Chris Rainey, WR Deonte Thompson, C Mike Pouncey, K Caleb Sturgis
Who's gone? QB Tim Tebow, C Maurkice Pouncey, LB Brandon Spikes, CB Joe Haden, DE Carlos Dunlap, DE Jermaine Cunningham
Why they'll win: A good collection of skill players should keep the Gator offense humming as the defense adjusts to its many new faces.
Why they'll lose: The Gators have enough talent to reload at most spots, but changes at some positions -- including defensive coordinator -- could be hard to overcome, especially during a difficult October.
Get your tickets: at Alabama (Oct. 2), vs. LSU (Oct. 9), vs. Georgia (at Jacksonville, Oct. 30), at Florida State (Nov. 27)
Prediction: 11-1 (7-1, SEC East champs)