Xavier Nixon And Matt Patchan Out For Opener

Xavier Nixon and Matt Patchan will be out for the season opener due to individual injuries. The pair had been battling for the left tackle position, but now Florida is without a left tackle period. There are numerous names being thrown in to replace them at left tackle, currently Maurice Hurt, James Wilson, Nick Alajian, John Halapio and Jonotthan Harrison.

What's The Run Game Look Like

We have Jeff Demps coming off some record breaking NCAA track performances and he is itching to get to work on the gridiron. Emmanuel Moody ia recovering from his ankle injury and should be back ready to take some carries as well soon. The rest of the running game will have to develop as the season does. The Gators have Mike Gillislee and freshman Mack Brown they can look to bring some new depth but none of them has an established history so they will have to prove themselves game by game. Tebow carried for 49 touchdowns in his days for the Gator Nation, but now the responsibility rests on the shoulders of numerous players who are unproven for the most part. This kind of pressure should be welcomed by Demps and others who seek to break records and make a name for themselves in the NCAA. This next two weeks of practice should provide more insight into how the top spots are panning out, but Demps is the lead back for now most certainly.

Tebow Hazed, But Not Confused!

Tim Tebow is having some fun with his new status as rookie on the Denver Broncos. Most recently he sported a new haircut given to him by team-mates which makes us think of some sort of monk or Greco-roman warrior. While he has been hazed over the past few weeks, he has not been confused in practices. Tebow has adjusted very well and is already making noise in his first fan attended practice scrimmage.

20,000 Denver Bronco faithfuls packed investco field to get a look at the T-man. Let's just say he did not disappoint them when he scored two touchdowns on the day. Tebow passed for one touchdown and ran for the other. The scrimmage was the largest attendance in Bronco history and was no doubt due to hype surrounding Tebow.

Gators Ranked 3rd In Preseason Poll

Here is the Pres-seaon rankings from USA Today as of Friday, August 6, 2010.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide (4/1 odds)

2. Ohio State Buckeyes (5/1)

3. Florida Gators (6/1)

4. Texas Longhorns (10/1)

5. Boise State Broncos (7/1)

6. Virginia Tech Hokies (18/1)

7. TCU Horned Frogs (18/1)

8. Oklahoma Sooners (5/1)

9. Nebraska Cornhuskers (15/1)

10. Iowa Hawkeyes (20/1)

11. Oregon Ducks (40/1)

12. Wisconsin Badgers (40/1)

13. Miami Hurricanes (16/1)

14. Penn State Nittany Lions (30/1)

15. Pittsburgh Panthers (60/1)

16. LSU Tigers (30/1)

17. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (60/1)

18. North Carolina Tar Heels (60/1)

19. Arkansas Razorbacks (32/1)

20. Florida State Seminoles (50/1)

21. Georgia Bulldogs (40/1)

22. Oregon State Beavers (50/1)

23. Auburn Tigers (40/1)

24. Utah Utes (125/1)

25. West Virginia Mountaineers (tied with Utah) (80/1)

Will Hill And Janoris Jenkins Land On Thorpe Award Watch List

Two Florida Gators have landed on the distinguished Thorpe Award watch list this year, Will Hill and Janoris Jenkins.

Jenkins had 18 pass deflections and 5 interceptions in his first two season with the Gators. He was also named pre-season All SEC first team by conference coaches.

Will Hill is anticipated to be a star prospect for the Gators and that's why he lands on this list.

Gators Football Fan Day in Two Weeks

The University of Florida football team will hold Verizon Wireless Football Fan Day on Sunday, August 15, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Admission is free and the Gate One doors will open at 12:30 p.m.

Fans will be able to meet and get autographs from their favorite Gator players and coaches. The University Athletic Association will supply the 2010 Gator team posters for player autographs and cannot allow outside items to be brought in to the event due to NCAA compliance issues.

Jermaine Cunningham Signs 4 Year Deal With Patriots

As the 53rd overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, Jermaine Cunningham was chosen by the New England Patriots. Cunningham plays defensive end. This week Cunningham inked a 4 year deal with the Pats, the contract terms have not been released yet. He joins former Gator tight end Aaron Hernandez who has also signed with New England. The Patriots drafted former Gator Brandon Spikes as well but they are yet to sign him.