Take a long, hard look at Tim Tebow when he walks out onto the field Saturday. He just might be staring back.
Saturday marks the start of the senior's farewell tour, and the Heisman Trophy winner is going to be soaking up every minute of his last go-around.
"It's special," Tebow said. "The most memorable part for me is I wait until the end and I get to see everyone run out (of the tunnel). And then I hear the roar. That's what makes it the most special."
The praise hasn't stopped since UF knocked off Oklahoma to win the BCS National Championship Game back on Jan. 8.
The No. 1 Gators have been showered with accolades. They racked up a historic 58 out of 60 votes in The Associated Press's preseason poll. And No. 15 once again tops the watch list for every award under the sun.
Saturday's season opener against Football Championship Subdivision opponent Charleston Southern should only fuel the fire.
The Buccaneers, who were 7-5 last season and finished fifth in the Big South Conference, are more than 60-point underdogs.
"I think I would love to go play another Miami or something - that's a rivalry game and intense and fun," Tebow said. "But this is also a game where we can work on things, sharpen up, get ready, try to be crisp and play. It's the first opportunity you want to get that under your belt and see what you've got."
Charleston Southern fell to Miami 52-7 in the 2008 season opener.
There might not be much drama in The Swamp on Saturday, but there are still plenty of things for Gators fans to keep an eye on.
Matt Patchan and James Wilson are fighting for a starting job on the offensive line.
Jeff Demps was named the starter at running back but is only narrowly holding off advances from Chris Rainey and Emmanuel Moody.
Major Wright, Ahmad Black and Will Hill are locked in a three-way competition for two starting spots at safety.
New offensive coordinator Steve Addazio will call plays for the first time as he tries to replace Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen. And the second half should belong to John Brantley and a host of new faces.
"It will be a little easier to put (younger players) in (this year)," Meyer said. "Our first year, second year it was a little more difficult to put guys in because you're going to put that thing in reverse. We can't let that happen."
The Gators are 14 games, 56 quarters and 840 minutes away from the end of the 2009 football season and a potential run at college football history. Regardless of how the chips fall, there is at least one guy who's going to enjoy every second of it.
"There are seven more opportunities to run out of that tunnel," Tebow said. "I'm going to cherish every opportunity, every minute, every chance I get to be on that field and play with those guys. I'm going to make it special and leave everything out there."
