Everybody knows this month of August is known for injuries. As the Gators still suffer key injuries even a week to go until game time they still have ways around it. There has been news and the word has gotten out that Captain and star linebacker Brandon Spikes has injured his foot in last weeks practice and is still questionable to play against the Hawaii Warriors. Percy Harvin is still battling through his heel injury which he had surgery in the off season and has not been able to get back to the full 100% the Gators need him at. I believe that Spikes and Harvin should hold out on the Hawaii and Miami game in the swamp. The first SEC game is what is more important but with the suspended Miami players just gives Florida a larger chance of victory and may not need Spikes and Harvin.

Brandon James is a threat on special teams returning the kickoff and punts and he should see some time playing receiver with Harvin being out. Junior linebacker Ryan Stamper would most likely be starting in Spikes place if Coach Meyer chooses to sit Spikes out. In 15 games, the 6′2/232 pound junior recorded 25 tackles. Is it the right move to sit Spikes and Harvin for Saturday?? I think they both need to just sit and watch for the first 2 games because Florida has enough backup behind Spikes at linebacker and Gators are stacked at receivers, so there’s not a problem to find a replacement to fill in the slot. Florida will kick off against Hawaii this Saturday at 12:30 at the swamp.

Complete Breakdown: Florida Gators vs. Hawaii Warriors:

What you should expect? Florida’s Offensive Line to protect, Tebow AND Harvin to have HUGE games …..you should expect Hawaii to get no more than 21 points (if they get that lucky) and then see that Hawaii is nothing close to what they were a year ago.

What has changed since last season?

Florida- They have gotten more experienced. Plain and simple.
Hawaii- Colt Brennan is gone…..plain and simple
Florida- Much improved Defense that was the cause of them losing a few last season.
Hawaii- The dates on the calendar and whereas they will still be chasing a WAC title, they will not be even close to the Gators.

Keys to Victory-

Florida- Score, Score, and Score some more….nothing is better for the Gators than Tebow scoring. Don’t let Hawaii stay in this game past the opening kickoff.

Hawaii- Slow the game down. Stop Tebow and Harvin EVERY down. Keep this game close well into the 4th quarter. You never know….look at Appy St. vs Michigan last year. Appy went home a winner…………

Prediction: Florida 48 Hawaii 17

(Written by Josh Schwader)

VS

Here are my Projections: (and their schedule)

8/30 Hawai’i Warriors- W,(1-0) This game really shouldn’t be close because Hawaii’s best weapon is in the NFL. Colt Brennan. This really should be a repeat the Sugar Bowl and just kill the Warriors. Name the score, Florida will have it.

9/6 Miami (FL)- W, (2-0) Miami is steadily improving however, I think Urban Meyer outcoaches Randy Shannon, it what will be a closer than should be match. This a battle for braggin rights in the state of Florida, so I expect Miami to be ready, but Florida pull away at the end. Remember, this game is going to be nationally televised in primetime. Buckle your seatbelts gator fans!

9/20 @Tennessee - W, (3-0) Florida comes off a bye week to face their arch rivals the Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville. I think Florida fans will be hearing “Good Ole Rocky Top” too many times for their liking, however escape, and dodge a bullet thanks to the wonders of Tim Tebow. Tennessee will be looking for revenge after their 59-20 debacle last season given to them courtesy of the Heisman Trophy winner last year himself, and the cast of others.

9/27 Mississippi W, (4-0) - Houston Nutt is going to have this team much improved to win in the SEC in the coming years. However, are they going to improve that much in just 3 months from when he took office to help lead a win over Florida? No. Florida wins this HUGE. Ole Miss doesn’t have that great of an offense, although they have a solid defense.

10/4 @Arkansas W, (5-0)- At Arkansas is a tough game for anybody. I think Florida pulls away late in the game to the lack of offensive fire-power for the Hogs. Florida will also make the scoreboard more of a blowout than what it actually was. In terms, they will make it look like they blew out the Hogs, however, they really didn’t blow them out.

10/11 LSU W, (6-0)- Defending National Champions come to Gainesville. Florida will have a good game and prove their SEC worth with a win here. The reason I say this is because LSU will be known for their defensive plays, rather than offensive plays. I think if Florida plays smart in this game, they should win the game easily.

10/25 Kentucky W, (7-0) Florida should win this game rather easily. With the departure of Andre Woodson, Kentucky looks to be short on offensive weapons. Kentucky’s defense isn’t that good either, and I believe they are the worst team in the SEC. Florida HUGE.

11/1 @Georgia L, (7-1) Georgia, in my opinion is the best team in the nation this season. They finished high in the polls last season, even though they didn’t even win their own division. I see matchup problems for the Gators in this game, as they lose the game late in the 4th quarter. Knowshown Moreno, I believe could have a great game. Stafford will keep Florida off balance and mix the run with the pass. Georgia by 8.

11/8 @Vanderbilt- W, (8-1) This could potentially be a very scary game for Florida going on the road two games in a row. However, Urban Meyer should keep his team intact and ready to go. I believe even if they do lose to Georgia, they will be ready for this game. They have some great players.

11/15 South Carolina- W, (9-1) The Gamecocks come into the year thinking bowl game. And with Steve Spurrier at the helm facing his old rival, he may be able to do that. Will he win this game? No. Florida is for real folks. They will beat South Carolina with potential of laying the smackdown on them. Carolina has 15% chance to win this game.

11/22 The Citadel- W, (10-1) An National Academy for our troops? And you are gonna destroy them in football? Well that is what they plan to do as they apparently needed a preseason game at the end of the year. Florida by at LEAST 50.

11/29 Florida St.- W, (11-1) Urban Meyers trick up his sleeve this time will be how to beat Bobby Bowden. The Seminoles are not as quick as Florida and they will get burned on the passing outlets. I have a feeling this could get ugly….

12/5 SEC Championship? Well if they made it there I would have to say that they played Auburn……however, I think Georgia will be representing the SEC East.

Do the Gators get a BCS game? Yes I believe so. I think the pollsters will allow them to compete because they will only have one loss. Gators will have a terrific season this year and compete for a BCS Bid.

(Written by Josh Schwader)

June Jones made the comment last season the week before the Heisman Trophy was handed out that his quarterback Colt Brennan was not a “system quarterback” like Tim Tebow.

The media went into a frenzy. How could he call the Heisman frontrunner (and eventual winner) a product of a system?

Jones quickly backtracked on his comments and said he never meant to down Tebow, but it was too late. When asked about Brennan Tebow said, “I think he’s a good quarterback and runs a good system.” The reporters all around him burst out in laughter.

Jones then quickly backtracked on what he said. “Guess what we’ve got to go down there and play him and they are going to be playing what I said. We’ve got to open up in Gainesville next season,” said the Hawaii coach.

And then it looked like everything was adding up to a great Tim Tebow-June Jones showdown 15 days from now……

But shortly after the season Jones left and took the SMU job. Was June Jones scared of Tim Tebow? It’s a crazy thought but I just wonder if it entered into his mind at all when he made his decision to leave Hawaii. Maybe it did. Maybe it didn’t.

(Written by Daniel Evans)

The Gators have gone slightly downhill in this physical month of August due to some key player injuries. We all know that star senior tight end Cornelius Ingram will be gone for the season due to an ACL injury and we have word that projected starting wide receiver Louis Murphy and corner back Markihe Anderson are on the injured list. Florida cannot afford to lose any more players, based on already losing 3 players for the whole season. John Curtis, Dorian Munroe, and Ingram (had surgery on Monday) will not see the field in 2008. Murphy will be back this week after a sprained ankle which does not intend to be too serious and will be wearing protection on the foot for support. Anderson should be back next week due to a sprained wrist.

Meyer told reporters that this is very frustrating, but you have to fight through it. [Gainesville Sun report] Star Heisman watch receiver Percy Harvin has continued to miss practice with the heel injury. If Harvin takes a beating this year and stays unhealthy, then the Gators will start sinking down the whole. Freshman defensive linemen Matt Patchan is having problems with his pectoral muscle and Omar Hunter who has had back problems has just started practicing with pads. Harvin is expected to start practicing sometime this week. Another injury that involves his knee is Bryan Thomas but should be ready to go by the fall when classes start up.

So the question is, Will Florida be ready for Hawaii? It’s like the flue, the injuries just keep on spreading and getting worse in the ACL side as well. There was a Florida Fan that told us about every time he listens to the radio, they are talking about the Gators and how we have a new injury every time he turns the station on. Is this the Florida curse of August? Let’s just hope that these injuries heal quick to the 100% to face the Warriors on the 30th.