TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Gators must be careful not to overlook Vanderbilt

Associated Press file photo (2008)

The Gators have won the last 18 straight games against SEC rival Vanderbilt.

ADVERTISEMENT

By DAVID JONES

Florida Today

Published: November 6, 2009

Florida coach Urban Meyer seems to do everything he can to make the next opponent sound like the New England Patriots. But that won't work this week.

Top-ranked Florida (8-0 overall, 6-0 in SEC play) hosts Vanderbilt (2-7, 0-5) at 7:15 p.m. today on ESPN2. How does he keep the Gators motivated?

Simple - by pointing out what UF stands to lose by becoming complacent.

"The best thing and only thing great about being 8-0 is the opportunity to go 9-0. That's the message this week. Our players will respond,'' Meyer said.

How much did UF celebrate clinching the SEC East with last Saturday's 41-17 win against Georgia?

"We talked about it after the game,'' Meyer said. "That's done, it's over.''

Quarterback Tim Tebow is among the veterans who realize how suddenly things can change and that every opponent will give the Gators everything it has. After all, everybody wants to beat a defending national champion trying to repeat.

"It's college football, anything can happen any Saturday and we know that,'' said Tebow, who is in the thick of a muddled Heisman Trophy race, as well.

Adds defensive line coach Dan McCarney: "The bottom line is I think our kids have a deep respect for all of our opponents in this conference. It is the best conference in college football. If you're not ready, you'll get beat.''

Players almost laugh at the thought that winning the East so early will make them lazy. But isn't there just a little thought about taking the foot off the gas pedal for a few days?

"Just because we've clinched the East doesn't mean we've reached where we want to be,'' UF defensive tackle Terron Sanders said. "One loss could take us off track.''

Florida will play without linebacker Brandon Spikes, sitting out the game after the controversy stemming from the game against Georgia in which he stuck his hand inside a Georgia player's helmet and it gained national internet attention.

Commodores coach Bobby Johnson has found a way to give Florida fits over the years - although the Gators have won 18 straight against Vandy, which lost starting quarterback Larry Smith to a hamstring injury. Mackenzi Adams will start instead.

"It is fun to play against the best,'' Johnson said. "You get out there and see how those guys go about their job and have fun playing.''

Vanderbilt defensive back Myron Lewis, a native of Pompano Beach, doubts the Gators will ease up.

"I don't think they're going to overlook us,'' he said. "I don't think they should overlook any team because any team that goes into their house or any team that plays the No. 1 team is ready to beat them. I think they're going to be up for the challenge of playing us, and we're going to be up for the challenge of playing them as well.''

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT