G.G.T.O.A.T

[DaleLoon]

Throughout the long and illustrious history of Florida Gator football we have seen Heisman winners in Spurrier, Wuerffel, Tebow. We have the leading rusher of all-time in the NFL in the great Emmitt Smith.

Three National championships, Gatorade and the Fun & Gun. What we have never done is have an undefeated season in football. As the flagship school and most prestigious program in the state I have to wonder when we will get that elusive next title and unblemished record.

For now I pose the question to you on what team has been the finest up to this date.

In 1996 we went 12-1 and defeated FSU in the Nokia Sugar Bowl 52-20, avenging our lone loss on the season. We scored 559 points and allowed 201 for a plus 358 point differential


In 2006 we went 13-1 and defeated the highly favored and undefeated Ohio State 41-14 in the first ever BCS Championship Game ( not a bowl game affiliate BCS event) Our lone loss was a 17-27 decision at Auburn. We scored 416 points and allowed 189 for a plus 227 point differential.


In 2008 we defeated the Oklahoma Sooners 24-14 in the BCS Championship game. Our lone loss was to Ole Miss 30-31 and finished 13-1 overall. We scored 611 points and allowed 181 for a plus point differential of 430 points.

 

[PlutoDroid]

The Ole Miss loss still pisses me off.

 

[PacoGator19]

2008 team is the most talented team UF has ever had.

 

[sadgator]

1995....

Most underrated team in our history...

 

[PacoGator19]

1995....

Most underrated team in our history...

Not sure how you can call them underrated. They made it to the National Championship game. Many people believe the 95 team was actually better than then 96 team.

 

[DaleLoon]

1995....

Most underrated team in our history...

I couldn't include them, they didn't win a championship. Unfortunately they ran into possibly the greatest team in college football history. I think those Nebraska kids were on the juice.....nah.

 

[HardeeWildcatFan]

2008 team is the most talented team UF has ever had.

No way!!! The 1996 would kill the 2008 team…

 

[sadgator]

Not sure how you can call them underrated.

Underrated in terms of never being thought of as the strongest because of what happened against Nebraska.

‘96 may have been the more complete team in the end, but the sadgator remembers the ‘95 offense as the most enjoyable he ever saw...

 

[instaGATOR]

The 1995 team is still UF's only undefeated & un-tied regular season team in UF history.

I gave it to the 1996 team by virtue of their 52 - 20 (-32) snot-knockin' of FSUcks.

Next for me is the 2006 team; UF 41 - 14 tOSU (-27) with their heisman pretender at QB, while the Gator played in a 2 QB system. -- Leak ate them alive with his near flawless passing attack, while Tebow had a 1st half passing TD and a 2nd half rushing TD.

But not to go without mention of the always great Gator D, UF 24 - 14 Ok, also with a heisman pretender QB, and them coming in with an NCAA 54 Pts/Gm scoring record.
The look on Sam Badfords face,,, when Ahmad snatched the ball away from his WR was priceless!!!

 

[PlutoDroid]

The 1995 team is still UF's only undefeated & un-tied regular season team in UF history.

I gave it to the 1996 team by virtue of their 52 - 20 (-32) snot-knockin' of FSUcks.

Next for me is the 2006 team; UF 41 - 14 tOSU (-27) with their heisman pretender at QB, while the Gator played in a 2 QB system. -- Leak ate them alive with his near flawless passing attack, while Tebow had a 1st half passing TD and a 2nd half rushing TD.

But not to go without mention of the always great Gator D, UF 24 - 14 Ok, also with a heisman pretender QB, and them coming in with an NCAA 54 Pts/Gm scoring record.
The look on Sam Badfords face,,, when Ahmad snatched the ball away from his WR was priceless!!!

The
2009 team was actually undefeated in the regular season as well. They lost to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. They crushed Cincy in the Sugar Bowl.

 

[PacoGator19]

No way!!! The 1996 would kill the 2008 team…

I don’t think so. The 2008 team was better defensively and the 2008 team had maybe the best pure football player UF has ever had in Percy Harvin.

 

[DaleLoon]

2008 Team:
UF - OPP
Scoring 611- 181
Points per Game 43.6 -12.9
First Downs 306- 234
Rushing 154- 97
Passing 129- 116
Penalty 23- 21
Total Offense 6231- 3994
Avg per Play 7.1- 4.5
Avg per Game 445.1- 285.3
Fumbles-Lost 19-8- 16-9
Penalties-Yards 102-839- 87-702
Avg per Game 59.9- 50.1

1996 Team:
UF-OPP
Scoring 559- 201
Points per Game 46.6- 16.8
First Downs 303 -192
Rushing 118- 81
Passing 167- 87
Penalty 18 -24
Total Offense 6047- 3373
Avg per Play 7.1- 4.1
Avg per Game 503.9- 281.1
Fumbles-Lost 16-7- 27-14
Penalties-Yards 125-1095- 90-748
Avg per Game 91.3- 62.3

 

[instaGATOR]

The
2009 team was actually undefeated in the regular season as well. They lost to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. They crushed Cincy in the Sugar Bowl.

To me, the regular season includes the SEC-C game.
The post season begins with the bowls, or now with the CFP.

 

[bradleygator]

I don’t think so. The 2008 team was better defensively and the 2008 team had maybe the best pure football player UF has ever had in Percy Harvin.

2008 team is actually pretty similar to 1995 Nebraska with Tebow and Harvin for Frazier and Phillips. 2008 UF could beat you throwing though. Both defenses very very good.

 

[TennesseeGator]

I don’t think so. The 2008 team was better defensively and the 2008 team had maybe the best pure football player UF has ever had in Percy Harvin.

I was about 3 paragraphs deep trying to make an argument that 96 was better but I changed my mind after looking over both rosters in depth.

96 had the better offensive skill position players at WR and RB. But having CI and Murder Dude at TE. A two deep DB and LB roster where the #2's could have started for many a SEC team. The 08 DL and OL were monsters.

Then the QB depth vs one another.

As much as I loved DW...Tebow could do so much more. Even in the fun and gun. Anybody can argue all they want but they know deep down inside they would take Tebow any day over Danny.

96 Backup's include Doug Johnson whom was pretty good but had his faults, Noah Brindise who was basically a career bench rider until Johnson's faults came to surface, and Brian Schottenheimer who was basically a player coach in training.

08's backups include Cam Newton and John Brantley. Don't even try to argue that the 96 QB's were better.

Then kickers. Sturgis was arguably the best K in modern UF history.

 

[instaGATOR]

DW - 114 TD's - 4 SEC-C + 1 mNC
PM - 89 TD's - 1 SEC-C - ZERO NC's
TT - 88 TD's - 1.5 SEC-C, 1.5 BCS-NC's
(Tim has less than 1/2 the # of Ints that PM had)
(Tim had more rushing TD's than H.Walker)

DW - not good for Meyer's offense.
TT - not good for SOS's offense or personality.
I'd still take either in any college offense over moon-boy PM...

 

[instaGATOR]

The Gator's 95-96 WR's were the best group in UF history imo.
(this years might end up better,,, I'm hoping anyway)

Hillard and Anthony were both 1st rounders I think, or 1-2.

Doering broke the SEC career Rec. TD record with 33, and he broke kensucky fans hearts for a bonus...

When little Travis McGriff finally got to be a starter, he broke the SEC single season Rec. TD record.

And the other guys in between them weren't bad....

Wasn't Kirk Kirkpatrick the UF receiving record TE back then?
(going on memory, so correct me if I'm wrong or left anything important out on the receivers)

 

[sadgator]

I voted for the ‘96 team. The 65-0 beatdown of UK that season was epic.

The 73-7 beating in ‘94 was better.

 

[sadgator]

The Gator's 95-96 WR's were the best group in UF history imo...
Wasn't Kirk Kirkpatrick the UF receiving record TE back then?

You crazy sumbitch...Kirkpatrick was a senior in 1990!

Kyle Morris played awesome in the ‘96 SECCG!

 

[instaGATOR]

You crazy sumbitch...Kirkpatrick was a senior in 1990!

Kyle Morris played awesome in the ‘96 SECCG!

So much for TE memory, but thanks for that helpful correction, you dip-wad...

 

[Dannygator1989]

2008 team is actually pretty similar to 1995 Nebraska with Tebow and Harvin for Frazier and Phillips. 2008 UF could beat you throwing though. Both defenses very very good.

That's what I was thinking when I wanted to prop up the 95 team...Tebow and Harvin would have had Tommy Frazier feeling like a bum...


God I hate him and Nebraska and everything those bastards stand for...nearly 23 years later...

 

[TennesseeGator]

DW - 114 TD's - 4 SEC-C + 1 mNC
PM - 89 TD's - 1 SEC-C - ZERO NC's
TT - 88 TD's - 1.5 SEC-C, 1.5 BCS-NC's
(Tim has less than 1/2 the # of Ints that PM had)
(Tim had more rushing TD's than H.Walker)

DW - not good for Meyer's offense.
TT - not good for SOS's offense or personality.
I'd still take either in any college offense over moon-boy PM...

Tebow would have done better in SOS offense compared to what DW would have done in Meyer's offense.

 

[Dannygator1989]

Tebow would have done better in SOS offense compared to what DW would have done in Meyer's offense.

More importantly, why would Tim not be good for Spurrier's personality?

That's an odd shot to take at a guy who's an ultra competitor.

 

[TennesseeGator]

More importantly, why would Tim not be good for Spurrier's personality?

That's an odd shot to take at a guy who's an ultra competitor.

I didn't understand that statement and didn't really address it.

I know it can't be that Spurs was tough on a QB because Tim didn't let those type of things bother him. Tim's throwing style that prevented him from being an NFL QB were no worse than DW's.

I can't even debate Spurs w Tebow. Gives me a headache.

 

[PlutoDroid]

I didn't understand that statement and didn't really address it.

I know it can't be that Spurs was tough on a QB because Tim didn't let those type of things bother him. Tim's throwing style that prevented him from being an NFL QB were no worse than DW's.

I can't even debate Spurs w Tebow. Gives me a headache.

Spurrier always pitched his trademark visor after a false start or illegal motion, even with Florida up by 4 scores.

Meyer always looked like he was having heart palpitations, maybe he actually was.

Point being is both were perfectionists, it feels like an eternity ago that our offense ran that smoothly. Imagine Meyer or Spurrier reacting to Mac &Cheeses offensive production.

 

[instaGATOR]

Tebow would have done better in SOS offense compared to what DW would have done in Meyer's offense.

Review what Tim said during his recruitment by Meyer and UA/Shula. Something to the effect that if SOS was still the UF coach, he didn't think that he could play for him. (screaming foul language in the QB's ear on the sideline that Danny was able to ignore and/or play through)

TG, did you happen to watch DW's HS State Championship game? It was played in the SWAMP btw.... And I seem to remember a significant 20+ yard TD run that he made vs FSUcks... Danny could run...

DW was a far better passing QB.
Tebow was a far 'stronger' running QB.
But both could do both well enough (SEC & NC's).
We'll never know on your above speculation, but your 'opinions' are just as good/valid as mine or anyone else's at that point...

 

[TennesseeGator]

Review what Tim said during his recruitment by Meyer and UA/Shula. Something to the effect that if SOS was still the UF coach, he didn't think that he could play for him. (screaming foul language in the QB's ear on the sideline that Danny was able to ignore and/or play through)

TG, did you happen to watch DW's HS State Championship game? It was played in the SWAMP btw.... And I seem to remember a significant 20+ yard TD run that he made vs FSUcks... Danny could run...

DW was a far better passing QB.
Tebow was a far 'stronger' running QB.
But both could do both well enough (SEC & NC's).
We'll never know on your above speculation, but your 'opinions' are just as good/valid as mine or anyone else's at that point...

Your opinion is cool and valid, respectful. I just can't agree with it. I believe Tim Tebow would have been just fine in any Spurrier era slinging the ball to Jack Jackson, Willie Jackson... Anthony, Hillard, Quezzie, Doering...Travis Taylor, Darrell Jackson, Travis McGriff, Nafis Karrem. Jabar Gaffney, Reche Caldwell, Taylor Jacobs, Brian Haugabrook... Erict Rhett, Fred Taylor, Eli Williams, Earnest Graham, Robert Gillespie, Bo Carroll, Kirk Wells, Kirk Kirkpatrick, Aaron last name escapes me, Erron Kinney, and Ben Troupe as other options.

Yes I saw Danny's highlight run in the state championship game. I also remember he had a run in the Natty game as well. I still don't think Danny would have been a great RPO with Harvin, Demps, Rainey, Moody, Brandon James, et Al in Meyer/Mullen type offense.

It's just what I think. We will never honestly know.

I do think though...Rex would have been successful in Meyer's offense to be honest.

 

[instaGATOR]

Pleasant disagreement is a board positive imo TG. All's well.
I can at least say that Tim is/was the best overall football player in UF history, bar none.
Breaking the NCAA 20/20 QB barrier, and the Heisman underclassman barrier, were enough to accomplish that for me.... -- And the 'Promise' certainly didn't hurt...

My least favorite Gator QB's include:
Kyle Morris - Doug Johnson - Rex Grossman - Will Grier - LDR
Mostly for their team hurting actions off the field, not their on the field talent.
KM and LDR being the exceptions, I didn't like them in either place...

As to guys like John Brantley and Jeff Driskel, I give them a pass for several reasons: Coaching, lack of teammates support (imo, whether intentional or unintentional), and freakin' broken legs.... -- As a saving grace, both were 4.0 kind of guys, both in the classroom and off the field.