UGA Sports 5:47 p.m. Monday, October 26, 2009

What UGA fans need to know about Florida

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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Record: 7-0 (5-0 SEC,  No. 1 in BCS standings).

Urban Meyer is 51-9 in five seasons as Florida's head coach.
Rogelio V. Solis, AP Urban Meyer is 51-9 in five seasons as Florida's head coach.

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Last week: Florida won 29-19 at Mississippi State.

Last time played Georgia: Florida won 49-10 last year in Jacksonville.

Florida on offense: Start, of course, with Tim Tebow, the strong-willed dual-threat quarterback who won the 2007 Heisman Trophy. He accounted for five touchdowns against Georgia last year – three rushing and two passing. But the 2009 Gators haven't been the explosive offensive team of a year ago. They have struggled to find a deep passing game, have been vulnerable to turnovers (lost 13 in 7 games) and have been inefficient in the red zone (two touchdowns in their past 15 trips inside the 20). But they remain the SEC's best rushing team (258 yards per game), thanks to Tebow and running backs Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey.

Florida on defense: The Gators have allowed only four touchdowns this season (two rushing, two passing), while two others have been scored against them on interception returns. Florida ranks No. 1 in the nation in total defense (229.6 yards allowed per game), No. 2 in scoring defense (10.1 points per game) and No. 2 in pass defense (135 yards per game). In its past three games, Florida has held opponents to 8-for-50 on third-down conversions and compiled 13 sacks. Star linebacker Brandon Spikes missed last week's game with a groin injury but will be back this week. Cornerback Joe Haden leads a top-notch secondary.

Florida on special teams: Brandon James has 11 punt returns of 30-plus yards in his career, including four of 74-plus. Opponents have zero punt return yards against the Gators this season. And Florida loves to block kicks –- a signature of Urban Meyer-coached teams.

What you should know: The defending national champions have won 17 consecutive games, the longest active winning streak in major-college football.

What you might not know: Under Meyer, Florida is 13-1 vs. rivals Florida State, Georgia, Tennessee and Miami, with the lone loss coming to Georgia in 2007.

Coach: Meyer is  90-17 in nine seasons as a head coach, including 51-9 in five seasons at Florida.

More on the Web: Florida Athletics

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