Florida Gators head coach Ron Zook could tell you a thing or two about trying to live up to expectations. Zook took over after “The Ol’ Ball Coach” Steve Spurrier after Spurrier left the university to take a head coaching job with the Washington Redskins of the NFL. Zook put together his second consecutive 8-5 season in 2003 and finished their season with a loss to Iowa in the Outback Bowl. Most programs are satisfied with two 8-5 records but at the University of Florida, 8-5 seasons are a quick way to get a pink slip. The team will need to play better and more together this season if they want to keep Coach Zook around, and I think they will which is why I’ve placed them at #8 in my pre-season poll.

The Gators are only returning ten starters from last season but two very influential players are back in QB Chris Leak and LB Channing Crowder, both sophomores. Chowder will patrol the middle of the field and will be responsible for keeping the ball in front of him in most situations. Defensive tackle Ray McDonald is another sophomore who earned Freshman All-America honors last season after starting 12 games, recording 54 tackles, finishing second on the team in tackles for loss (eight) and second on the team with four sacks. Leak lost his top three receivers from last year but still threw the ball around in the spring games. His work ethic and ability will lead this team to another solid season in 2004. The offensive line will be led by center Mike Degory and will open holes for running backs Ciatrick Fason and DeShawn Wynn. The two will likely share carries this season, but Fason showed he’s ready to take over the starting spot when he finished with 141 yards and three scores in the spring game.

September 18 will see the Florida Gators travel to Neyland Stadium and take on the University of Tennessee Volunteers. At one point only a few years ago, these two teams weren’t only competing for an SEC victory but were likely playing for a spot in the national championship game. Now it seems as though both teams are trailing behind Georgia in the SEC East but Florida still believes they can compete with Georgia, Tennessee, and anyone else in the conference and the nation. The Gators open up with non-conference games against Middle Tennessee and Eastern Michigan before going to Tennessee. October 9 will see the Tigers of LSU travel to the Swamp and three weeks later, the Gators will go to play Georgia in their park. If the Gators take care of business up to that point, they could be 7-0 and in position to make a run at the conference title and even the national championship. The team finishes their season by driving up the road to Tallahassee to play their in-state rivals, the Florida State Seminoles. No one expects a perfect season, but it might take better than a third straight 8-5 season to keep Coach Zook in Gainesville.

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