The Florida Gators will host the like Division V Charleston Southern Bucs on Saturday in the opening game of the 2009 season. This is a year full of great expectations. Gators fans across the world expect (or at least hope) for Tim Tebow to deliver the first perfect season in Gator history. It’s an accomplishment that will go down in history.

Charleston Southern is one of those “cupcake” games as the experts always say. It’s a fun warm-up game for the players and gets them ready for the tough SEC schedule in two weeks. The starters will run out on the field and take care of business, then pass things off to the backups. Tebow traditionally hasn’t played much in the first game of the season in years past. There’s generally no need for him to play other than to get him game ready.

In 2007 vs. Western Kentucky, Tebow was 13 of 17 for 300 yards passing plus three touchdowns and he rushed the ball 8 times for 38 yards plus a touchdown. Last year versus Hawaii (a 56-10 Gator victory), Tim had similar touches but didn’t have as much production. He was 9 of 14 for 137 yards plus a touchdown and rushed the ball 9 times for 37 yards.

This year against Charleston Southern, I predict he will be somewhere in the middle of those two previous performances. Tim will probably play only a half of football. I think the Gators will get up early and Tim will connect with Deonte Thompson for a long touchdown… maybe 50 yards. Meyer will want to show off Tim’s arm and get his WRs some work.

Prediction: Tim – 10/15 for 225 yards and 2 touchdowns plus 5 carries for 25 yards.
Score: Gators 63 – Bucs 7

To get you amped, here’s a “Heeeeerrrrrreeeeeeee cooommmmeeee the Gatorsssss!” video