preachinGator
VIP Member
If Auburn hopes to squelch another unbeaten start by Florida, the Tigers are going to have to find a way to survive in the red zone.
The fourth-ranked Gators (4-0, 2-0 SEC) have scored touchdowns on 21 of 26 trips (81 percent) inside the 20-yard line this season while limiting their opponents to touchdowns on just four of 15 trips (27 percent) into the "dead" zone.
"We have a great plan down there," said Florida coach Urban Meyer. "We work at it far more than at any place I've ever been."
The Gators have put points on the board on 24 of 26 visits to the red zone (92 percent), a much higher success rate than the Tigers (2-2, 0-1), who have scored on 12 of 16 drives (75 percent) inside the 20.
Meyer credited receivers coach Billy Gonzales for much of the team's red-zone success.
"He spends all of his time studying how teams play and what works," Meyer told the Orlando Sentinel.
Offensively, the red-zone game plan is business as usual with the Gators spreading the field and allowing quarterback Tim Tebow to make things happen with his arm or feet. Inside the 5-yard line, Florida brings two tight ends and two fullbacks into the game.
On defense, the Gators pack more players close to the line of scrimmage in a "goal-line seven" scheme, according to Meyer. The cornerbacks play man-to-man coverage with a safety providing help across the middle.
"We don't want to let anybody score," said safety Tony Joiner. "But if we stand up and keep them to a field goal, we're proud of that."
Auburn will probably have to score more than three points at a time if it wants to repeat last season's 27-17 victory over Florida. The Gators haven't lost since then, but they have not forgotten the sting.
"We don't really talk about it like it's revenge, but it's a huge game for us," Tebow said. "They've been upset a few times this year but that doesn't take away from the ability and the athletes they have on their team. I don't think anybody is overlooking Auburn."
Copyright (C) 2007 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
The fourth-ranked Gators (4-0, 2-0 SEC) have scored touchdowns on 21 of 26 trips (81 percent) inside the 20-yard line this season while limiting their opponents to touchdowns on just four of 15 trips (27 percent) into the "dead" zone.
"We have a great plan down there," said Florida coach Urban Meyer. "We work at it far more than at any place I've ever been."
The Gators have put points on the board on 24 of 26 visits to the red zone (92 percent), a much higher success rate than the Tigers (2-2, 0-1), who have scored on 12 of 16 drives (75 percent) inside the 20.
Meyer credited receivers coach Billy Gonzales for much of the team's red-zone success.
"He spends all of his time studying how teams play and what works," Meyer told the Orlando Sentinel.
Offensively, the red-zone game plan is business as usual with the Gators spreading the field and allowing quarterback Tim Tebow to make things happen with his arm or feet. Inside the 5-yard line, Florida brings two tight ends and two fullbacks into the game.
On defense, the Gators pack more players close to the line of scrimmage in a "goal-line seven" scheme, according to Meyer. The cornerbacks play man-to-man coverage with a safety providing help across the middle.
"We don't want to let anybody score," said safety Tony Joiner. "But if we stand up and keep them to a field goal, we're proud of that."
Auburn will probably have to score more than three points at a time if it wants to repeat last season's 27-17 victory over Florida. The Gators haven't lost since then, but they have not forgotten the sting.
"We don't really talk about it like it's revenge, but it's a huge game for us," Tebow said. "They've been upset a few times this year but that doesn't take away from the ability and the athletes they have on their team. I don't think anybody is overlooking Auburn."
Copyright (C) 2007 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
