Here are a dozen observations from Florida's 62-3 victory over the Florida International Golden Panthers for you to digest. Included are the offensive, defensive players of the game, unsung hero, player on the rise and on the bubble, stat-line, good news, bad news and more. Join us as GatorBait.net reviews the first road trip of the season and takes a quick look at this week's opponent]]> Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:59:00 GMT Florida has all sorts of winning streaks. The top-ranked Gators have won a school-record 21 straight games, also the nation's longest current streak. They've won 15 in a row against Southeastern Conference teams, 10 consecutive at home and eight straight against non-conference foes. There's one more that will take center stage this week: Florida (11-0) has won its last five games against rival Florida State (6-5), a run that seems to have the two programs considerably further apart than the 125 miles that actually separates them]]> Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:53:00 GMT Florida's match-up with Florida International pretty much played out according to script. The Gators got off to a big lead early and never looked back, cruising to a 62-3 victory. In doing so UF extended their nation best winning streak to 21 consecutive games. The Gators have also retained their spot atop the college football polls. Now that the game is over, it's time to go back and enjoy some photos from Saturday night from Gator Bait Magazine photographer Steven Johnson]]> Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:20:00 GMT For years, Tim Tebow has been the trusted quarterback and he will go down as one of the greats not only in Florida history but all of college football. We're slowly learning his successor has the potential to be a special player, too. John Brantley completed 9 of 13 passes for 146 yards and three touchdowns as top-ranked Florida defeated Florida International, 62-3, Saturday at home]]> Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:56:00 GMT John Brantley had no problem taking over for starting quarterback Tim Tebow during Florida's 62-3 drubbing of FIU on Saturday, but the redshirt sophomore wasn't so comfortable with Tebow passing down one of his post-game traditions. Tebow takes a victory lap around The Swamp after every home win and he invited Brantley to come along in an attempt to pass on the tradition with only one home game remaining in his college career. Brantley politely declined, as the Tebow era isn't quite over for Gators fans yet.]]> Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:42:00 GMT Now that Florida's massacre of Florida International is finished, everyone can look forward to the Florida State matchup - one of college football's biggest rivalries and Senior Day for Tim Tebow, Brandon Spikes and the Gators' senior class. Next weekend there will be excitement even if the Seminoles, which escaped woeful Maryland with a 3-point victory, aren't all that good]]> Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:01:00 GMT Top-ranked Florida moved another step closer to perfection with a 62-3 rout of Florida International. Tim Tebow accounted for three touchdowns and Brandon Spikes returned an interception for a score to extend the nation's longest winning streak to 21 games Saturday. Florida improved to 11-0 for just the second time in school history and needs two more wins-against Florida State and Alabama-to earn a shot at repeating as national champion]]> Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:40:00 GMT Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:42:00 GMT The victories might not have been as spectacular as last season's national title run, but Florida survived a rugged SEC campaign with a rare perfect record. To keep their BCS title hopes alive before a highly anticipated showdown in the conference championship, the top-ranked Gators just need to get past their final two opponents, beginning with Saturday's game against visiting Florida International]]> Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:36:00 GMT Erving Walker missed all 10 shots against Georgia Southern and his first five Friday against Troy, some thinking his extra point-guard responsibilities were affecting his energy level and thus his shooting. That theory was thrown out the window after his second-half performance. Read more about Walker and Kenny Boynton right here]]> Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:04:00 GMT Normally in games such as this, against an out-manned, over-matched opponent, the five on the spot would consist mostly, if not exclusively of younger players who would be getting an opportunity in a blowout to prove themselves. As proof that Florida's offense is still a work in progress, the five on the spot today includes three starters from the offensive side of the ball]]> Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:19:00 GMT When Xavier Nixon's parents were deployed overseas he always knew to watch the news and keep up on current events. But when his mother, Fotini, attended Sergeant's Major Academy in Fort Hood, Texas, Nixon was content that everything was fine. But the Florida freshman offensive lineman said this week that his mother was at or near Fort Hood - he did not know her exact location - when Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan allegedly opened fire on base earlier this month in a rampage that killed 13 and wounded more than 40]]> Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:44:00 GMT In a never-ending effort to look for motivational keys for his team, Urban Meyer revealed he turned off his computer and now the players have had it with the messenger also as they point fingers at the dastardly, disrespecting media. GatorBait.net Editor Marty Cohen looks at this foolishness and other salient topics in another installment of our weekly commentary . . ]]> Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:56:00 GMT Seven juniors on Florida's roster have NFL potential, coach Urban Meyer said earlier this week, and undoubtedly defensive end Carlos Dunlap is among that group. The 6-foot-6, 290-pound man-child, freak, whatever compliment one wants to give him, is considered one of the top players at his position in college football and there is a real chance he could leave the Gators after this season for NFL riches]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:40:00 GMT In most circumstances a game like this would be an afterthought. The No. 1 team in the nation, the Florida Gators, playing an out-manned Sun Belt Conference school, isn't exactly must see TV. However, there will still be plenty of interest if for nothing else than to see if the Gator offense can get back on track. GatorBait.net has the very latest on the Florida International match up in this Game Week Breakdown. Guerry Smith breaks down the Golden Panthers with his answers to five burning questions as well previewing five FIU players Gator fans should keep an eye on this weekend]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:22:00 GMT Talking to Florida's players, there doesn't seem to be a major concern about the 3-point shooting woes through two games. They say there are too many good shooters to have this be a problem. That it must be some early-season jitters and things will get corrected. Read what Chandler Parsons and coach Billy Donovan said right here]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:01:00 GMT There was hardly anything to smile about at the O'Connell Center Wednesday night except when Georgia Southern coach Charlton Young caught an errant pass and faked a shot from the sidelines in the second half that brought many fans to their feet for the first time all game. Read more about Florida's win over Georgia Southern right here]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:47:00 GMT Throwing away their first signing class in 2005 due to the late start they got after Urban Meyer was hired, and it goes without saying that year in and year out the Florida coaching staff has proved that it can recruit as well as any in the nation. The question now, is Joshua Shaw Meyer's biggest get yet? The case can be made that this might just be the most important commitment during the Meyer era]]> Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:17:00 GMT Coach Urban Meyer declined to name them but said there were seven NFL-quality juniors on Florida's roster which means at least a few of them could leave school after the season for professional riches. Read what Meyer said about the good and bad of that situation, how he advises the players after the season and much more right here]]> Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:37:00 GMT The Florida Gators' 18th commitment in the class of 2010 is a big one. Rivals100 prospect Joshua Shaw out of Palmdale, California. Rivals.com recruiting analyst Mike Farrell explains the impact of this commitmen]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:41:00 GMT