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Meyer Wary Of Hurricanes' Talent

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 5, 2008

GAINESVILLE - Despite the University of Miami's slide into mediocrity recently, Florida coach Urban Meyer still holds the program in high esteem.

"I consider them the most talented team in college football," Meyer said.

"When you just watch speed, and watch guys run and watch the size and athleticism. There's not a team we'll play, and if we're not playing them, then that means they're the most talented team in college football."

While most expect a blowout and a poor showing from Miami redshirt freshman QB Robert Marve (Plant), Meyer is expecting a hard-fought matchup.

Especially if Marve has the "it" factor Meyer believes he does. "Jeff Tedford is a great quarterback coach, and we've kind of learned from him a little bit and he says when you evaluate a quarterback it's not velocity, it's not side-stepping, it's not speed, it's the 'it' factor," Meyer said. "It's the Brett Favre, it's the Joe Montana, it's the Tim Tebow. It's the guy that finds a way to win a game, a competitor, and that's what he is."

EXTRA SPECIAL: While many players may view playing special teams as a demotion, it's the path to Meyer's heart if you're a Gator.

Meyer lives by the statistic that if you block a punt in a game, then you have a 90 percent chance of winning that game. In the last four years, Meyer's teams have blocked 18 punts, and the Gators are 10-0 when they block a punt.

LB Brandon Hicks figures to see extra playing time after participating in all 19 special teams plays against Hawaii and running 895 yards.

"You've got to be extremely unselfish, tough as nails, buy in," Meyer said on what makes a good special team player. "You got to drink that Kool-Aid.

"You don't walk in that door unless you've got Kool-Aid all over your face," Meyer said.

Karl Hyppolite

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