Bullz-Eye's College Football Game of the Week
10/12/2006
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We’ll be dissecting one big college football match-up every week throughout the season. The game could be a big rivalry, it could have Top-25 implications, or it could just be a battle between two powerhouse programs.
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This week’s match up: (#2) Florida at (#11) Auburn
Date: Saturday, Oct. 14
Time: 7:45pm ET ESPN
RESULT: Auburn 27, Florida 17
Why to tune in:
With the Tigers coming off a humiliating 27-10 loss to unranked Arkansas and the Gators looking to keep national title hopes alive, this game at Jordan-Hare Stadium should be as close and thrilling as previous Auburn-Florida battles. These two teams haven’t met since 2002, when the Gators captured a 23-20 OT victory in Gainesville. The previous year, Damon Duval's 44-yard field goal with 10 seconds left lifted the Tigers to a 23-20 triumph over then #1 Florida in Auburn. This is the second of three-straight tough SEC games for Florida. The Gators topped #9 LSU last week 23-10, face Auburn this Saturday, and then have an off week before traveling to Jacksonville for the annual “Cocktail Party” against Georgia in two weeks.
When Florida has the ball:
Tailback DeShawn Wynn is probable to play this week after missing the LSU game last Saturday with a knee injury. That’s a huge lift for the Gators with Wynn rushing for 5.5 yards a pop this year. Head coach Urban Meyer did a great job of getting freshman QB/RB Tim Tebow on the field last week in both running and passing situations. Tebow finished with three total touchdowns, including two through the air on only two attempts. With starter Chris Leak already having a solid season, Wynn, and now Tebow, give Florida three outstanding weapons on offense. Throw in receiver Dallas Baker (31 receptions, 494 yards, five TDs) and Florida is as tough to keep out of the end zone. Despite the debacle against Arkansas last week, the Tigers are still stout on defense. However, Auburn hasn’t played well against the run (120 yards per game) and that coincidently is what the Gators do best. Auburn defensive back Will Herring has played well this season for the Tigers and the secondary has be tough to throw against, so don’t expect Florida to try and win this game through the air.
When Auburn has the ball:
The Razorbacks had great success in getting to QB Brandon Cox last Saturday, sacking him five times. RB Kenny Irons was also held in check for the most part (just 75 yards) against Arkansas and it doesn’t get any easier for the back this week against the Gators. Florida has been outstanding against the run this year, giving up just 56 yards on the ground per game. A large part of the Gators’ success in stopping the run is that the secondary has been playing equally as well behind the Florida front seven. The Gators are allowing less than 100 passing yards per game on the year and defensive back Reggie Nelson has been an absolute ball hawk. If Irons can’t get going, Cox hasn’t shown that he can win a game on his shoulders alone. Look for Florida defensive lineman Derrick Harvey, who already has four sacks this year, to thrash Cox all day and Nelson to come away with a pick or two.
Prediction:
After being so confident that LSU would beat Florida last week, I’m a bit humbled after the Gators laid the smack down on the Tigers. I won’t make the same mistake twice in two weeks (hopefully) and I’ll go with the better team regardless of the home field advantage for Auburn. Florida has a great balance both offensively and defensively and can take whatever Auburn throws at them this weekend.
The Gators chomp on Tigers for the second straight week (corny, I know): Florida 23, Auburn 17.
Questions or comments? Send them to astalter@bullz-eye.com.