If you are a fan of the Florida Gators, you’ve heard it from rival fans. “ It’s all over after Tebow leaves.” Or “you guys are losing an awful lot of players this year. You’re going to lose at least dour games next year.” I hear that and I just sit there and smile. I smile because I know what they don’t know. The truth.

If you look at rivals.com during recruiting season like many of us do, you know next year is not nearly as bleak as some people think. This year’s (2010) recruiting class is ranked #3 in the Nation (so far). Rivals rates players on a numerical basis. A 5* player is at the top. Then it goes to 4*, 3* etc. The average Florida commit for this year is 3.79. To give you some perspective, there are only 22 players in the entire nation rated at 5*. So almost everybody is at 4* or lower and Florida is averaging a four star for every player. 7 of rivals top 100 players are committed to UF already. There are still 30 payers who are undecided. So Florida has 10% of the top 100 players that have committed. So playing the odds UF should expect to get 3 more.

Last year’s class (this past season’s freshmen) averaged 3.94. It was the highest average in the nation. Almost none of these guys have seen the field yet. A few got in during the fourth quarter of the blowouts.

The 2008 class was ranked in the top 3 also. They averaged 3.82 for that year. Most of those players have still not seen the field much. The only ones who have are Jeff Demps, Janoris Jenkins, and Will Hill are about the only ones who have seen significant playing time.

These will be your 2010 Gators. They will be young. They will be inexperienced. But they will be talented. So when you hear the usual drivel coming out of Athens , Knoxville , and Tallahassee , just smile.

By: James Folsom

It’s been about ten days now. Time to let what happened fully sink in. It is as bad as we thought. I have been a Gator fan for a long time. I was here for Herschel Walker. I was around for 0-10-1. Suffering huge losses in big games is nothing new to me. The Gators pre-Spurrier made games like Saturday an art form.

But this is the most down after a loss as I’ve seen the Gator Nation. Maybe it’s because a lot of us have never experienced this big of a loss before. Or maybe it’s because it’s been a while since the Gators haven’t come through in a big game. But for me, it’s because of all we lost on Saturday. We lost a chance to go back to back in football. We lost a chance to go back to back in both football and basketball (both in the same decade). We lost the perfect season. At Florida , this is the Great White Whale. It is the only thing FSU, Alabama , Georgia , Miami , and Tennessee still have on us. We also lost the win streak. It was a streak that was within reach of an SEC record. Tim Tebow lost a second Heisman Trophy. When he won his first in his sophomore year, t-shirts were made that said “no longer a question of when, but how many”. The answer to that is now known. There would be no more. And we lost the SEC.

So with all that could have been and to not end up with so much as an SEC Title, I rank this loss as the biggest. Here is my list of the most crushing defeats that I can remember.

1. Alabama in the 2009 SEC Championship game.
2. Florida State in Tallahassee in 1996. It turned out ok in the end but at the time it was a crusher. It looked for all the world we had lost the chance at a national championship.
3. Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl in the 1995 season. All was lost on this night too, except for the SEC.
4. 1980 Georgia game. “Run Lindsay Run” resulted in a perfect season for UGA. It also cost us our first SEC title. This would’ve been especially sweet for a team that didn’t win a game the year prior. And we had them on the ropes.
5. 1994 FSU. Technically not a loss. But it was a crusher. Spurrier had finally beaten the ‘Noles in Tallahassee . Or so we thought. He never would do it. Who knows how ’96 turns out if we won in ’94.
6. 2001 Tennessee . This one is particularly galling. It cost us the SEC East. It also cost us a shot to win the SECCG and play Miami for the BCS. It was rescheduled because of 9/11. We had to play the game the week following FSU. If you recall, Earnest Graham was intentionally hurt by Darnell Dockett and was unable to go against UT. We lost by two points. Going for a two point conversion and a tie at the end of the game, our intended receiver was obviously interfered with. No flag.
7. 1998 Tennessee . We hold them to a FG in OT. Then we don’t score the winning TD. Then we miss the game tying FG. UT goes undefeated. We go to the Orange Bowl.
8. 1994 Auburn . We lose at the Swamp while ranked #1. Auburn scores a TD in the last seconds. We go on to win the SEC, but no shot a the National Title following the Choke at Doak.
9. 1985 Georgia . Our very first #1 ranking. We go to the Gator Bowl and lay an egg. Any loss against Georgia is a killer. This one stung.
10. 2003 FSU. We lost a shot at representing the SEC East in the championship game. This game was stolen. It’s the only game I’ve ever been to that I had serious questions whether it was on the up and up. And exactly how does the SEC let a non conference game decide a conference race?
11. 2003 Miami . Up 33-10 in the 3rd. This game was over. And then Zook works his magic and next thing you know Brock Berlin is doing the Gator Chomp at our fans
12. 2004 Mississippi State . The straw the broke Zook’s back. It turned out great in the end. But at the time it was a killer.
13. 2008 Ole Miss. We should have crushed them. Or so we all thought. Nobody knew that Ole Miss was actually good. Another one that turned out good in the end. But at the time it was bad.
14. 1992 SEC Title Game vs. Alabama . A Shane Matthews pick 6 gives ‘Bama the win. They go on to win the National Title. It was the first ever SECCG. It would’ve been nice to win the first one.
15. 1985 Rutgers . Another game that was not technically a loss. However, like the ’94 FSU game it sure felt like one. Florida pulls the starters with a huge end of the 3rd quarter lead. Rutgers rallies to tie. This could have been worse had we not been on probation. It may have cost us a National Title.
16. 2004 Tennessee . The Dallas Baker penalty game. Some questionable officiating cost us this one. That and Zook’s brilliance.
17. Speaking of Zook’s brilliance, the Outback Bowl vs. Michigan following the 2002 season. The Gators are driving fo a tying score late, Grossman is lighting them up, and we run a double reverse pass where Vernell Brown, a DB, throes a pick.
18. 1991 Sugar Bowl. We had just won our first SEC. Going to the Sugar Bowl was like going to the Super Bowl. We then go out and lose to Notre Dame. We still haven’t had a shot to get even
19. 2006 Auburn . We lost a chance at a perfect season that night. Particularly maddening was they still haven’t scored on our defense.
20. 2005 LSU. We lose despite getting five takeaways. How do you do that?

By: James Folsom

The Florida Gators will be taking on the undefeated Cincinnati Bearcats on New Year’s Night at the Sugar Bowl. There was a time when that sentence would have sent chills up and down the spines of the Gator Nation. But this is 2010, not 1990. Big time bowl games are now old hat for the Orange and Blue. The Gators in the last two decades have played in 10 of the BCS Bowls already. They have played in four Sugar Bowls. With the new BCS system where there is a Championship Game after the big bowls, the goal is no longer to make the Sugar Bowl. It has been reduced to a consolation prize. In the last two years, it has been little consolation.

Last year when Florida met Alabama in the SEC Championship Game, the winner went on to the BCS Title Game and the loser to the Sugar Bowl. Florida won. So ‘Bama trudged off to New Orleans to face an unbeaten Utah. Utah was pumped to be in the Sugar Bowl. It was a big deal for them. For ‘Bama it was a let down. The results bore this out. Utah jumped on Alabama early and often. By the time the Tide woke up they were down 24-3. They could not recover. It’s hard to blame them. They had their sites set on playing for the National Title. How were they supposed to react?

This year the shoe is on the other foot. Again Florida and Alabama have met for a chance to play for title. Again, the loser has had to settle for the Sugar Bowl. Only this time the Gators are the ones headed for the Big Uneasy. They too will meet an undefeated foe. An opponent who is excited to be in the game, Cincinnati will be on their game. They are an offensive juggernaut. But they have a weak defense. Under different circumstances, I feel the Gators would beat them. But it will be tough for them on this game. How do they get back off the mat? They had their hearts ripped out against ‘Bama. So much was riding on that game, the SEC Title, the BCS opportunity, the chance for the first unbeaten season in UF history, a chance for back to back titles, and possibly a second Heisman for Tebow. All of it gone.

If the Gators can rally to win this game it will be impressive. That’s a lot to overcome. It would be a shame if this group of seniors went out on a two game losing streak. They are after all the winningest class in SEC history. Hopefully they can pull it together one more time. Win or lose, I would like to thank them. They have been fun to watch and a great representative for the Gator Nation.

By: Jim Folsom

In the past for the Gators, they have never had such of a big recruiting weekend towards the end of the season until now which is a first. There are twelve prospects who are visiting this weekend and most are already committed to Florida, but there is still a couple of big names who could have a change in mind after the weekend visit if everything goes well.

There are several big name players who are taking a trip to Gainesville and two of the twelve are rated 5-stars.

Darious Cummings, a Florida State commit will not appear this weekend anymore, FSU will return their DL coach Odell Haggins, and along with not having Strong on board anymore for UF because he was a major factor in recruiting around the Florida area.

Offensive Tackle Chaz Green and Christian Green, both from Tampa Catholic in Florida will not be able to make the visit this weekend due to a state championship game on Saturday when they face Jacksonville (FL.) Bolles. The Florida coaches are expected to have an in-home visit with Chaz on Thursday.

And other news from Rivals, running back Mack Brown has rescheduled his visit to the second week of January.

Here are the twelve who are visiting this weekend, along with a little bit of information on each one.

* Neiron Ball, 6-4, 210 pounds, 4.5 (4 stars)
Jackson (Ga.)
Interest level- Committed
- Ball had some interest in UGA but ended up choosing Florida instead, even though his older brother played for the Bulldogs as well. The future looks like he would be a solid DE for the Gators.

* Trey Burton, 6-3, 203 pounds, 4.62 (3 stars)
Venice (Fla.)
Interest level- Committed
- Burton is a solid dual threat QB and is one of the top players in the Nation without a question. Not only did he play football for Venice but he also played a little basketball until his senior year because he will be graduating early. He is a great kid and will be an excellent add to the Gator offense.

* Robert Clark, 5-9, 170 pounds, 4.5 (3 stars)
West Palm Beach (Fla.) Dwyer
Interest Level- Medium
Other interests- WVU, ISU & TN
- Even though Clark is visiting while he is committed to WVU, I wouldn’t be too surprised if he came out a Gator by the weekend is over to be honest. Teammate Matt Elam is committed to Florida and Clark may have a change in mind before too long.

* Chris Dunkley, 5-10, 164 pounds, 4.4 (4 stars)
Pahokee (Fla.)
Interest Level- High
Other interests- ALA.
- It doesn’t matter what goes on this weekend in Gainesville for Dunkley, he has said he will not make any announcement or decision until the Under Armour game which will take place in January. He has been interested in the Gators all along but has kept Alabama right next to them as his choice.

* Matt Elam, 6-0, 205 pounds, 4.45 (5 stars)
West Palm Beach (Fla.) Dwyer
Interest level- committed
Other interests- UGA, FSU, WVU, TN
- Elam has been committed to UF for a good amount of time now, but it still hasn’t slowed him down for looking around at other schools. He has taken four other official visits and Florida will have his last one this weekend. His decision is just around the corner.

* Jordan Hicks, 6-2, 220 pounds, 4.58 (5 stars)
West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West
Interest Level- High
Other interests- TEX, OSU
- There are some good things but there is also bad things about Hicks visiting this weekend. Let’s start off with the bad. As we all know Charlie Strong took the head coaching job at Louisville and without really knowing about his new coach might have an impact. The good is that Florida is the last school to get a shot at Hicks. In a few weeks when his decision will be made, it will all be between Texas, Ohio State, and the Gators.

* Justin Hunter, 6-4 172 pounds, 4.4 (4 stars)
Virginia Beach (Va.) Ocean Lakes
Interest level- Medium
Other interests- LSU (committed)
- Hunter is already committed to the LSU Tigers but taking a last visit in Gainesville never hurts. Hunter is from the same part as former Gator wide receiver Percy Harvin and is a late addition to the list of visitors.

* Brandon Linder, 6-6, 290 pounds (4 stars)
Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) STA
Interest level- Medium
Other interests- MIA, ND
- After having several schools for his choices, Linder has lowered his list down to Miami, Notre Dame, and Florida. It looks like he has the Gators as his No. 3 choice but lets hope a trip to the Swamp will give him second thoughts.

* Morgan Moses, 6-7, 347 pounds
Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy
Interest level- Medium
Other interests- VIR, SC, LSU, OSU, UNC
- He has been a Virginia commitment for a good time now but since Al Groh has been fired, he has opened up his list. Moses has already took a visit to South Carolina and has talked about LSU, Ohio State, and North Carolina as possible future visits.

* Ian Silberman, 6-5, 257 pounds, 5.13 (4 stars)
Fleming Island (Fla.)
Interest Level- committed
- He has been committed to UF for a long time, just like Trey Burton, and also has really assisted the coaches with recruiting to fill up the spots for the class of 2010. Meyer took an in-home visit on Wednesday.

* Travon Van, 5-10, 175 pounds, 4.45 (4 stars)
New Berlin (N.Y.) Milford Academy
Interest Level- Committed
- Van had a awesome year in San Diego but wasn’t very consistent on offense. He should have a chance at the CB spot for UF.

* Jaylen Watkins, 6-1, 172 pounds, 4.44 (4 stars)
Cape Coral (Fla.)
Interest level- committed
- There has been a rumor going around saying that Charlie Strong is trying to take CB coach Vance Bedford over to Louisville with him, but I don’t think should have any impact on Watkins commitment.

It hasn’t been long since the Florida Gators lost defensive coordinator Charlie Strong so he could be the new head coach at Louisville, and now there is another one who will not be on the Gator staff for the 2010 season.

Head coach Urban Meyer started to let the prospects who have committed know that wide receiver coach and recruiting coordinator Billy Gonzales has chosen a position with LSU. Meyer told the prospects that he will not be here next year, just hopefully it doesn’t effect the 2010 recruiting class. It’s crazy how Florida has lost two great coaches just 2 months before signing day.

I’m still curious to know why they would leave when they have it made at UF? Maybe this is what happens when you have so much talent, they benefit from all of the success and move on to bigger and better things.

GSN will release more on this soon. Stay tuned.

There are six high school seniors who have already gave their commitments to the University Of Florida who are placed on the roster for the 2010 Under Armour All-Star game that will take place on January 2 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. It will also be televised live on ESPN.

Ted Marchibroda and Sam Wyche who are both former NFL head coaches will be the coaches for the All-Star game. Marchibroda will be coaching team Blur and Wyche will be the head coach for team Nitro.

There is just one recruit playing on team Blur, Joshua Shaw who is a solid 6-2 CB out of Palmdale, California.

Here are the rest of the Florida recruits who are going to be playing on team Nitro. Demar Dorsey, Boyd Anderson who are both safeties, WR Solomon Patton, Murphy (Ala.), DT Leon Orr, Gulf; running back Mack Brown from Martin Luther King (GA.), and offensive tackle Ian Silberman, Fleming, Island Florida.

This event is hosted for the top seniors around the whole country.

(Info gathered by Antonya English from Gator Report.)