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Fast Starts Key During UF Win Streak

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 17, 2008

GAINESVILLE - The Florida Gators are making it look easy.

After Saturday's 56-6 smashing of South Carolina, the Gators are riding a six-game winning streak in which they have outscored opponents 299-63.

In those six games, they hold a 101-0 first-quarter scoring advantage.

But now comes the hard part.

"Everybody is going to be telling them how good they are," Florida coach Urban Meyer said.

Saturday night an Internet poll by ESPN asking "who will win the SEC Championship Game between Florida and Alabama" showed 68 percent picking the Gators. Before that, NBC pro football studio host Cris Collinsworth proclaimed his old school "a mortal lock" to win the national championship.

"That's why we talk about it every Sunday," Meyer said. "I think I give our players a little more credit that that, even if they hear it. I'm not so worried about the players, I worry about the parents, the relatives, friends and the students, and you guys. I worry as much about our players, but when you get continually pounded with that ..."

WHAT WENT RIGHT: Florida's kickoff coverage team drew the most praise from Meyer after the 50-point win over South Carolina.

The Gamecocks received nine kickoffs and only twice began a possession beyond their 34.

"I'm excited about our kickoff team as anything," Meyer said. "It's a sign of a good outfit when you have a kickoff team that's real players. And we have some real players."

WHAT WENT WRONG: Florida lost two fumbles - one each by RBs Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey. No damage came about, but they were noticeable because turnovers have been such a rarity.

Mick Elliott

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