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Meyer Gives Utah Credit

Tribune photo by SCOTT ISKOWITZ

Utah is undefeated again this year, but, even by running the table, is unlikely to merit consideration for a spot in the title game.

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By MICK ELLIOTT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 18, 2008

GAINESVILLE - Florida coach Urban Meyer makes no secret of his affinity for the University of Utah, the school he coached to a 12-0 record in 2004 before leaving to accept an offer from the Gators.

Utah is undefeated again this year, but, even by running the table, is unlikely to merit consideration for a spot in the title game - a feeling Meyer remembers.

"I was a big proponent for a playoff back in 2004," Meyer said. "I was employed by the University of Utah. That would have bettered Utah. On any given day, that team could have beaten anybody in the country. Could that team realistically survived the schedule we just played? No."

That does not make Meyer any less impressed by Utah's current season.

"I'm voting them real high," he said. "I think they are a hell of a team."

In that case, does the Gators coach believe Utah deserves consideration over a one-loss SEC or Big 12 team?

"Oh, boy," Meyer answered, looking a bit like he had just been hit with a Brandon Spikes forearm. "I'll plead the Fifth. I'd get blown completely out of the water if I answered that truthfully, so I'm not going to. That's not saying one way or the other."

SPREADING THE CREDIT: After Florida's inexplicable 31-30 loss at home to Ole Miss in late September, quarterback Tim Tebow made a impassioned vow that no player in the country would work harder to make sure such a loss never happen again.

Since then the Gators have won six straight by a combined score of 299-63.

Meyer isn't shortchanging Tebow's effort, but does want credit shared.

"Tim gets a lot of press," Meyer said. "Tim's a very clear thinker and very clear speaker. There are a lot of guys on this team that have made that type of commitment. Wide receiver Louis Murphy is one. The offensive line, the three seniors. I could go on and on. So he's not the lone wolf out there as far as making a commitment."

THE DOWN SIDE: The only trouble with playing as well as the Gators have been playing is it's a guaranteed way to lose assistant coaches to other programs.

The success Florida is having could mean both defensive coordinator Charlie Strong and offensive coordinator Dan Mullen could be head coaching candidates after the season.

"I'm very aware of that," Meyer said. "The great thing is you don't leave Florida to go to another spot; you go as a head coach or maybe to the NFL for a ridiculous amount of money.

"That's a good thing. The negative is I agree. We have a very talented staff and there is a chance. We've already had some people sniffing around. The very good thing is our guys are very professional and the job at hand is to beat The Citadel and get out and recruit."

GATOR BITES

•WR/RB Percy Harvin is this week's SEC Offensive Player of the Week and DE Jermaine Cunningham is Defensive Lineman of the Week.

•Freshman Matt Patchan (Armwood), who had worked his way into a starting job on the defensive line, saw limited snaps Saturday because of a hip pointer. He could return to action against The Citadel.

•The women's soccer team has advanced into the final 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season. After a 2-0 win over Central Florida, the Gators (14-6-3) will meet Texas A&M on Sunday.

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