Good Gator, Bad Gator

In a little segment I like to call Good Gator, Bad Gator, I will examine three things are are good about the Gators and three things that are bad (I know, incredibly clever name right?). Anyway, here we go:

Good Gator

1. The Tim Tebow Factor
• We saw it on Saturday. Tim Tebow can absolutely take over a game. The kid can run fast, run hard, throw short, throw deep. He seems mature beyond his sophomore status, and you can credit Urban Meyer for that because he gave Tebow some great experience last year. His legend grows by the hour, and the Gators finally have a idol they can depend on week to week. If Tebow can continue to show the poise that he has so far this season, the Gators ultimately will have a very successful season.
2. Diversity, Explosiveness on Offense
• Let's take a look at the options the Gators have on offense: Tim Tebow, Harvin, Caldwell, Ingram, Murphy, Moore, Cooper, Fayson, James, Rainey. That's 10 players, all of whom could be described as "explosive." Not only does this give the Gators the ability to spread the field and keep the defense guessing, but it gives them security against injuries. The Gators have the ability to take it to the house every play and with that threat it's hard not to be successful on offense.
  
3. The Offensive Line
• We've all heard the saying that the war is won in the trenches. Well, it's true. Despite all the talented skill players the Gators have on the offensive side of the ball, they would be rendered useless without a solid O-line. This group was called "young and inexperienced" last year, and the Gators won the National Championship. Now, the unit is basically all back from last year and some young guys have really stepped up. The line can only get better, and that's good news for everyone mentioned in #2.
  

Bad Gator

1. Pass Rush (or lack thereof)
• The defense has been serviceable up to this point, some would argue even surprisingly overachieving, but the pass rush has been virtually non-existent. They have 7 sacks in 4 games, but it seems like a lot less. Derrick Harvey has played well and has looked like the stud he is capable of being at times, but also has had the tendency to disappear for awhile. He has 3 of the Gators' sacks. We all saw last year's game vs. Ohio State and it was evident that the Gators' D-line won that game. Defense wins championships, and it all starts with the four men upfront. It's time for them to step it up.
  
2. Injury Bug
• A number of Gators have been affected by injuries this year, most notable being the injuries affecting Jerimy Finch, Bubba Caldwell, and even Percy Harvin. Last year the Gators were able to stay relatively healthy throughout the entire year, and avoiding injuries is one of the intangibles necessary for an elite team. The Gators have the depth on offense to deal with a few here and there, but the young defense really needs to do their best to stay out of street clothes. Let's hope it's not contagious!
  
3. October
• The month of October is do or die for the Gators, and the road is not easy. It all starts with the Game of the Year at LSU on October 6. Then the Gators have what will be a much needed bye week, only to have to head up to Kentucky to battle a dangerous Wildcats squad. Next, and certainly not least, the Gators head to Jacksonville for the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party to take on the always Gator-hating Georgia Bulldogs, who are led by stud QB Matthew Stafford. It definitely should be a month to remember, let's just hope that it's not one Gator fans will want to forget. My advice: give the ball to Percy.