Eckwood43
05-14-2004, 11:51 PM
Florida’s current streak of 16 consecutive winning seasons is the longest in the SEC and The NCAA rated Florida’s 2003 schedule the nation’s second-toughest, behind only the Tide.
Athlon's preview for Florida
Florida coach Ron Zook keeps trying to win over the Florida faithful in his attempt to replace Steve Spurrier, and he certainly has had his ups and downs in his two seasons. He has two wins over Georgia (good); a 1-1 record with Tennessee and LSU (OK); an 0-2 record against Miami and Florida State (bad). Two Outback Bowl losses also does not have Gator Nation pleased. Zook will have a shot at the SEC East crown this year if quarterback phenom Chris Leak continues to progress and an inexperienced defense can come together quickly.
Florida coach Ron Zook is cultivating one of the nation’s great young quarterback talents in Chris Leak, who broke into the starting lineup last season in Game 5 and participated in all 13 contests. He completed 59 percent of his passes for 2,435 yards and 16 touchdowns. And he was a true freshman. Zook keeps promising to move Gavin Dickey to another position, but as of the spring he was still at quarterback.
The top three receivers from last year are gone, but O.J. Small is back after catching 35 balls. Small has caught at least one pass in each of the last 18 games. Ciatrick Fason and DeShawn Wynn could develop into a potent one-two tailback punch with the departure of last year’s leading rusher, Ran Carthon. Fason and Wynn each ran for over 500 yards last year, and Fason averaged 6.9 per carry.
Six offensive linemen who started at least one 2003 contest are back. Right tackle Randy Hand, right guard Lance Butler and center Mike Degory started nine games together last year as sophomores. Mo Mitchell, a four-game starter at tackle in 2002 who played defense last year, returns to offense for 2004.
Channing Crowder was first-team All-SEC after leading the nation’s freshmen in tackles with 106. He returns at linebacker alongside 2003 SEC All-Freshman selection Earl Everett. With Mitchell going back to offense and Travis Harris switching to linebacker, Ray McDonald is the only full-time starter back on the D-Line. But McDonald made Freshman All-America last year, and there are lots of experienced bodies to fill in the gaps. Guss Scott, Daryl Dixon and Keiwan Ratliff have all departed, but cornerback Reynaldo Hill and strong safety Cory Bailey both started last year’s Outback Bowl, and Bailey has 10 career starts.
The Gators travel to Tennessee to open the conference season and to Florida State to close the regular season. In between come LSU in Gainesville and Georgia in Jacksonville.
Athlon's preview for Florida
Florida coach Ron Zook keeps trying to win over the Florida faithful in his attempt to replace Steve Spurrier, and he certainly has had his ups and downs in his two seasons. He has two wins over Georgia (good); a 1-1 record with Tennessee and LSU (OK); an 0-2 record against Miami and Florida State (bad). Two Outback Bowl losses also does not have Gator Nation pleased. Zook will have a shot at the SEC East crown this year if quarterback phenom Chris Leak continues to progress and an inexperienced defense can come together quickly.
Florida coach Ron Zook is cultivating one of the nation’s great young quarterback talents in Chris Leak, who broke into the starting lineup last season in Game 5 and participated in all 13 contests. He completed 59 percent of his passes for 2,435 yards and 16 touchdowns. And he was a true freshman. Zook keeps promising to move Gavin Dickey to another position, but as of the spring he was still at quarterback.
The top three receivers from last year are gone, but O.J. Small is back after catching 35 balls. Small has caught at least one pass in each of the last 18 games. Ciatrick Fason and DeShawn Wynn could develop into a potent one-two tailback punch with the departure of last year’s leading rusher, Ran Carthon. Fason and Wynn each ran for over 500 yards last year, and Fason averaged 6.9 per carry.
Six offensive linemen who started at least one 2003 contest are back. Right tackle Randy Hand, right guard Lance Butler and center Mike Degory started nine games together last year as sophomores. Mo Mitchell, a four-game starter at tackle in 2002 who played defense last year, returns to offense for 2004.
Channing Crowder was first-team All-SEC after leading the nation’s freshmen in tackles with 106. He returns at linebacker alongside 2003 SEC All-Freshman selection Earl Everett. With Mitchell going back to offense and Travis Harris switching to linebacker, Ray McDonald is the only full-time starter back on the D-Line. But McDonald made Freshman All-America last year, and there are lots of experienced bodies to fill in the gaps. Guss Scott, Daryl Dixon and Keiwan Ratliff have all departed, but cornerback Reynaldo Hill and strong safety Cory Bailey both started last year’s Outback Bowl, and Bailey has 10 career starts.
The Gators travel to Tennessee to open the conference season and to Florida State to close the regular season. In between come LSU in Gainesville and Georgia in Jacksonville.