2008 record: 13-1, 7-1 (1st in SEC East)
2008 bowl: Beat Oklahoma 24-14 in BCS Championship Game
2008 final AP/coaches' ranking: 1/1
Coach: Urban Meyer (44-9, 5th year; 83-17 overall, 8 years)
Offensive coordinator: Steve Addazio (1st year)
Defensive coordinator: Charlie Strong (7th year)
Returning offensive starters: 7
Returning defensive starters: 11
Location: Gainesville, Fla.
Stadium: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (grass; 88,548)
Last league title: 2008
2009 schedule: [view]
2009 roster: [view]
2008 statistics: [view]

Offensive: Gators coach Urban Meyer isn’t shy when talking about senior quarterback Tim Tebow. Best quarterback in the nation? Check, Meyer says. Best quarterback in Florida history? Probably so, Meyer adds. Then this: “I think he’s one of the best players in college football history.’’ And when you consider that thought, it’s hard to argue with Meyer’s thesis. Tebow’s versatile ability, his drive for a second Heisman Trophy and a third national championship, plus his off-field personality and charity work have made him into one of the game’s iconic figures. Given that, it would seem easy for Tebow to slack off or get distracted. Don’t count on it. He’s more driven than ever. Certainly, he will miss the ultimate weapon, hybrid playmaker Percy Harvin, but the backfield should be more of a factor with junior Emmanuel Moody, sophomore Chris Rainey and sophomore Jeff Demps vying for attention. New receivers will be stepping up, chief among them senior Riley Cooper and sophomore Deonte Thompson, while junior tight end Aaron Hernandez will be one of nation’s best players at his position. Four starters return to the offensive line, including the junior-class twins, center Maurkice Pouncey and guard Mike Pouncey.

Defensive: For the Gators, every starter returns. That’s exceptional, rare, the sign of a team ready to repeat as national champions. One more thing. Every defensive player on the two-deep roster returns. That’s unprecedented. Enjoy the Tebow-palooza, of course, but Florida’s defense is why this program has found rarefied air. It starts with a relentless pass rush and the scary potential of junior defensive end Carlos Dunlap, along with the constant improvement of senior defensive end Jermaine Cunningham. It continues with the rock-solid leadership of senior middle linebacker Brandon Spikes. And it’s punctuated by just-won’t-quit productivity of a still-ridiculously-young secondary, paced by lockdown junior cornerback Joe Haden and rock ‘em, sock ‘em junior free safety Major Wright. Good luck finding a weakness with this unit.

Specialists: Florida is set. Reliable senior place-kicker Jonathan Phillips returns for a fifth season. Junior punter Chas Henry excels at hang time and setting up nice field position for the defense. It’s still a mystery why anyone kicks the ball anywhere near ace return man Brandon James, who is as electrifying and instinctive as anyone in recent college football history.

Coaching: When Meyer was hired in late 2004, some observers wondered if he could recruit effectively in the SEC. There were also question marks about whether Meyer’s offensive philosophy would work in a smash-mouth league. Those thoughts seem laughable now. Meyer has taken the program Steve Spurrier once put on the map and transformed it into a monster. With Florida State and Miami suffering through some down years, the Gators are dominating the home state like never before. Meyer and staff continually show the ability to weather a rough patch, cultivate the team’s emotions and go to the whip in the late season.

Game of the year Oct. 10 at LSU Urban Meyer is seeking his first victory at Death Valley, having lost two straight at that frenetic setting. It could very well be a preview of the SEC Championship game. As always, the on-field talent will be enormous. These programs annually recruit at the highest levels in America.

Heisman Hopefuls: Looking for an exclamation point for Tebow’s final college season? This could be the moment. Tebow, who won the award as a sophomore in 2007, was third last year. He undoubtedly has the name recognition. Barring the unexpected, he will have gaudy statistics. Florida’s unbeaten potential should give Tebow a realistic opportunity to join Ohio State’s Archie Griffin as the Heisman’s only two-time winner.

Overview: Tebow already has been a part of two national championship teams. Now he is driven to produce the first unbeaten team in Gator history. It’s easy to imagine. The Gators dodge a pair of SEC West powers (Mississippi, Alabama) and only leave the state four times. With a favorable schedule, a ferocious defense, offensive weapons galore and an unparalleled leader in Tebow, the Gators should be playing for a national title again in Pasadena.

Next up: No. 2 Texas.

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