Tim Tebow Zone

Tim Tebow threw the ball for under 100 yards for the first time in his career as a starter. He was 8 of 15 for 96 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed the ball 12 times for 26 yards. But despite the mediocre numbers, Tebow and the Gators still pounded the Tennessee Vols 30-6. The Florida Gators are now 3-0 on the season and still ranked #4 in the AP Poll.

Tim Tebow’s numbers are down this year because Florida has a more complete offense. They aren’t rely solely on Tebow to throw the ball and run the ball on every single down. We loved seeing it last year, but that type of play doesn’t make Tim a better quarterback and it doesn’t make the Gators a better team (illustrated by their 4 losses last year). The Gators have other playmakers now, so Tim can relax and focus on being a winner quarterback rather then putting the entire team on his shoulders.

“That’s OK,” Tebow said. “The Heisman was great and an awesome experience last year, but I’m trying to win championships. If I’m winning this way, I’m totally happy.” I believe it when he says it too.

Florida also has a defense now.

“It helps you out so much,” Tebow said of the improved defense. “You can really count on them. You don’t have to force anything. They are playing hard and making plays.”

The win over the Vols on the road was huge. It should build a lot of confidence for the Gators as they move forward into the SEC schedule.

The Tennessee Volunteers are one of the Florida Gators biggest rivals. The Gators have won the last three meetings and look to make it four in a row tomorrow afternoon with Tim Tebow at the helm. It’s a 3:30 PM EST kickoff and the game will be shown on CBS. The Gators are favored by about 7.5 or 8 points (depending on what sportsbook you look at). That’s a line I like.

So many people are thinking the Vols may sneak up on the Gators are win one. While that is possible, it’s not likely. Tim Tebow has had great success against Tennessee, dating back to 2006. As a freshman (not the starter), Tebow’s number was called during a critical play. He came in from the sideline and converted a fourth-and-1 by gaining 2 yards through the gut of the UT defensive front. It came on Florida’s game-winning drive, and the Gators went on to a 21-20 victory.

“It was a play we had to make, and as a freshman in my third game, they gave me the opportunity to make it,” Tebow said. “I think that was pretty cool that they trusted me and I was able to get it done.”

The following year, he launched nearly 300 yards passing, pounded for 61 yards rushing and scored 4 touchdowns. The trend of dominance will continue in 2008. I’m predicting Tim Tebow to throw for about 275 yards, rush for close to 50 and score 4 touchdowns. The Gators are going to put up a lot of points, probably close to 50. Neyland Stadium is a tough environment to play in, but the Gators have won there in the past.

Since it is an away game, I doubt a lot of Tebow fans will be there. So if you’re looking for a place to chat with other Gator fans, head over to Gator Envy. They have game discussion threads and a live chat room for Gator fans, and best of all registration is free.

The Florida Gators started out very slow in the first 2-3 quarters of the Miami game. I was worried for awhile and thought we might actually lose the game. After that big punt block / safety, the Gator offense failed to convert. The offense just couldn’t get going. But then in the fourth quarter, the lights turned on and the Gators ended up scoring 17 points giving them a total of 26 to Miami’s 3.

“I was able to plant and throw,” Tebow said. “That was big. We got momentum. We got things going. We were throwing quick, throwing hot. We got a lot of momentum going and that was huge. When you’re dealing with 18- to 22-year-olds, momentum is everything. And when you lose it, you have to find a way to regain it. We were able to do that and get things moving again.”

Tim Tebow was 21 of 35 for 256 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also added 55 yards on the ground from 15 rushing attempts. Solid numbers with a QB rating of 101. They could have been better had Louis Murphy’s like 40-50 yard touchdown catch not been called back for a bogus “illegal shift” penalty.

The Gators have a bye week coming up, so they’ll have plenty of time to get things in sync for SEC play.

Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators host the Miami Hurricanes tomorrow night. This is the first big game of the year (Hawaii was kind of like preseason). Miami isn’t ranked, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be a tough opponent. The Hurricanes have beaten the Gators 6 times in a row. Tebow looks to end that streak.

Last week we didn’t see a Tebow-like performance from Timmy. He had only like 137 yards passing. This week against Miami, I expect him to come out firing. The Gators need to try to throw the ball downfield. Last week they wanted to establish the run, this week they need to establish the deep ball. And with Tebow’s favorite target, Percy Harvin, back in the lineup, I predict big things. Having Percy in the backfield can set up the play-action pass that was so successful last year.

I’m predicting Tebow to have 265 yards passing, 3 touchdowns in the air and 35 yards rushing with 1 rushing touchdown. I think the Gators will put up close to 50 points on the Canes. A final score of 49-13 sounds about right.

If you aren’t able to make it to the Miami game tomorrow, don’t forget to stop by Gator Envy for all your Gator needs, including game discussion threads and live chats with other gator fans!

While Tim Tebow didn’t put up Heisman-like numbers in the Hawaii game yesterday, the Gators still managed to put up 56 points against the Warriors and walk away with an easy victory. Tebow ended the game 9/14 for 137 yards and 1 touchdown. He also added 37 yards on the ground from 9 carries. In yesterday’s game, I think we witnessed an evolution of Tim Tebow.

The Gators finally have an excellent running game, so they didn’t have to rely on Tim carrying the ball. Urban Meyer said they will use Tim less and less in the running game, and that’s a good thing! The days of 15 carries and 80 yards are over. Tebow is developing into a pass-first quarterback. We just didn’t get to see much of it yesterday because Meyer went with the ground game… if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

Tebow did manage to hook up with Louis Murphy on a 48 yard touchdown pass. Murphy caught it over the middle, then turned up field and took it to the endzone. I suspect we’ll see a lot more of this once the Gators start playing more formidable opponents.

One thing to note, Tebow’s record of 14 games with at least 1 passing and 1 rushing touchdown came to an end yesterday. He came close to a rushing touchdown, but a replay challenge showed that his foot stepped out. Tim doesn’t seem to mind though. “Aw, shucks,” Tebow said. “I’m not too worried about that right now.”

All aboard the Tim Tebow Express departing in Gainesville, Florida Saturday at 12:30 and arriving in Miami, Florida on January 8, 2009 for the BCS Championship game. First stop, the Hawaii Warriors! Wooooh Woooohh

Ok, that was pretty cheesy, but I’m just so pumped for Gator football that I can’t keep it in. Ever since that disappointing loss to Michigan, I’ve been eager to see Tim Tebow kick some ass on the football field. I’m ready for him to unleash the fury. I’m ready for a little “Heeeeerrrreeeeeee Coooommmmmeeeee ttthhhheeeee Gatorssssss!!!!”

As I mentioned, the #5 Florida Gators have their first game of the 2008 season tomorrow in the Swamp against a young and unranked Hawaii team. It shouldn’t be a contest. Vegas has the spread aruond 30 points and that’s without Percy Harvin playing! Even without his best WR option, I still think Timmy can put up monster numbers. Something along the lines of 300 yards passing, 70 yards rushing and 5 total touchdowns. Not only will the Gators smash the Warriors, but this game will be the first step towards Tim Tebow’s repeat Heisman.

This is an exciting time of year and it should be a beautiful day tomorrow in Gainesville. I hope Tebow puts on a great performance and everyone enjoys the game.

To further discuss Tebow and the Gators game against Hawaii this weekend, head over to Gator Envy. They’ve got game threads and live chats with dozens of other Gator fans.

We are finally only 1 week away from a real Gator football game! Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators are getting ready to host the Hawaii Warriors on Saturday, August 30. It’s an early game at 12:30 P.M. but Timmy will be ready that’s for sure. Be sure to check back because I’ll have a full game preview later in the week.

Some of you may or may not remember, but it was Hawaii’s former coach June Jones (who left Hawaii after last season) who said Tim Tebow was just a “system quarterback.” Jones said of Tebow, “a lot of his stuff comes off little dives, fades, things he is not going to do in the National Football League. That’s my point.”

I hope Timmy kept that article clip posted on his locker and reads it right before he heads through the tunnel on Saturday morning. Even though Jones isn’t there, Tebow will unleash his wrath on Hawaii and make them pay for making comments about him. Don’t take a shot at Tebow, unless you want one coming right back at you… in your face!

The Florida Gator Spring Orange and Blue game was held on Saturday. The game featured Tim Tebow and all the Gator stars, except Percy Harvin who is still recovering from his heel surgery. The game was nationally televised on ESPN 2. That’s big-time exposure for a team vying for that #1 preseason ranking.

Unfortunately, I am out of town the entire week and was not able to see the Spring Game. So, I can’t give you a personal recap of what I saw. Instead of reading a Tebow update here, you need to head over to the Gator Envy Forums and you will read several threads on the Spring game and what happened. The people on Gator Envy are very knowledgable and will help you if you have any questions about the game.

Go Gators!

The Florida Gators take the field in Gainesville this afternoon for the annual spring Orange and Blue game. Tim Tebow will be playing and you can count on him putting up some decent numbers.

There was a lot of talk this week about whether or not Tim Tebow should even play in the game. Why risk getting him hurt you know? Well, Meyer has a lot of things Tim needs to work on, such as the 2 minute drill and getting the ball off when being pressured. Rest assure though that Urban will be standing behind Tim Tebow the entire game to make sure no one hits him. Tim will be wearing a red shirt and Meyer will have the whistle in his mouth ready to blow a play dead befpre anyone touches Tim.

The ORange and Blue game is on ESPN this afternoon at 12:00 or 1:00. College gameday is on ESPN2 from 11:00-12:00. Be sure to check it out at the beginning and you know you’ll get to see Tebow in action.

Tomorrow, Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators football team will finally hit the practice fields. Wednesday, March 19 from 3:25 p.m.-5:55 p.m., the players will get down and dirty and start their journey towards a 2008 National Championship. The players actually won’t do a whole lot on Wednesday, just some basic workouts to get prepared. You can view the full Spring Practice schedule, which ends with the Orange & Blue game, on Gator Zone.

I remember last year coming off the 2006 National Championship, Gator fans were obsessed with the phenomenon of Tim Tebow. They stalked him around the stadium and were 4 rows deep at the practice field fence just trying to get a glimpse of his greatness.

I’m not sure if Tebowmania will start out as ramped as last year, but I would wager that there will be a good amount of fans out there to support Tim and the team. I just don’t think the coaches will have to drive him around in a golf cart for protection.

So will you be there to watch?