After UF's 42-30 loss to Georgia on Saturday, it looks like the Gators will fall short of reaching their goal of contending for the Southeastern Conference Championship.
But this crazy college football season still allows UF to have a slim shot for a trip to Atlanta.
With their 3-3 conference record, the Gators need to win their remaining two conference games and hope that Georgia and Tennessee each lose at least one more game. That would push it to a tie-breaker situation.
If the Gators have any shot, they?ll also need to catch some luck regarding their injury list.
On his weekly teleconference Sunday, UF coach Urban Meyer said he did not have an update on Tim Tebow?s right shoulder, which he bruised during the Kentucky game.
Meyer expected to know more about Tebow?s status later Sunday.
BI called him late last night, and it was still numbed up,C Meyer said. BI?m hoping [his shoulder won?t affect him the rest of the year] because that makes Tim Tebow different from most other quarterbacks. I imagine it will still be sore, but he didn?t take a direct shot on it.C
Meyer appointed Cameron Newton as Tebow?s backup in August, but the freshman sprained his ankle several weeks ago.
Meyer said Newton was limited in practice last week. Junior college transfer Bryan Waggener received some reps during that time and could potentially contribute on the field.
Instead of relying on another quarterback, the Gators may instead turn to wide receiver Percy Harvin.
Harvin rushed 10 times for 97 yards and tallied two receptions for 41 yards against the Bulldogs. Meyer said UF might increase the sophomore?s touches from 10 to 15 per game to 20.
BPercy Harvin is as competitive a person as we have and talented as we have,C Meyer said. BHe?s a strong player. … I?m thinking he might be able to carry the ball some more.C
That?s bad news for running back Kestahn Moore, who may have lost his starting position after his error-prone performance in Saturday?s game.
Moore fumbled on UF?s first drive, and Georgia capitalized on the turnover with its first touchdown of the game.
Later in the first quarter, Moore attempted to take a direct snap but let the ball sail over his head. What started out as first and 10 on Georgia?s 13-yard line turned into second and 22 on the 25, and the Gators were forced to punt on the possession.
Meyer said Moore?s starting status would depend on what happened during practice this week.
BBall security is No. 1 at that position, and obviously we didn?t do that,C Meyer said.
The Gators are suffering from more than just tailback woes.
Defensive end Derrick Harvey suffered a hip pointer, and defensive tackles Javier Estopinan and Terron Sanders both suffered undisclosed injuries, all of which Meyer said he would know about later Sunday.
Though not health related, the secondary continued to experience problems as well.
Sophomore Wondy Pierre-Louis was responsible for two costly penalties and was beat on Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford?s game-winning, 53-yard touchdown pass to Mikey Henderson.
