Tim Tebow previews 'massive' SEC East matchup between Florida and Kentucky

With the Gators sitting inside the top 25 and set to square off against a 4-0 Kentucky team, the SEC Nation crew has opted to spend this Saturday in Lexington.

Included in that group is College Football Hall of Famer and former Florida quarterback, Tim Tebow.

“I think it’s massive in the (SEC) East. I think it’s big for both of these teams getting into conference play and both having really tough schedules. Kentucky has gotten used to over the last few years starting off hot,” Tebow told reporters on Friday.

“This is a big game in both team’s schedules. Florida kind of got back on the right track against Tennessee, and Kentucky hasn’t necessarily played that big opponent yet, so this is going to be that first test and it’s an exciting game.

“It really sets the tone for getting into that middle, hard stretch of the season.”

Tebow will not be revealing his prediction until just prior to Saturday’s kickoff. He did, however, detail how each program’s makeup has the recipe of a hard-nosed game in the trenches.

“Both teams have been doing such a good job of stopping the running game of opposing teams,” said Tebow. “I think that’s really such a big part of this game, just being able to control the line of scrimmage, time of possesion, ball control, and then being able to capitalize in the red zones.

“Field goals won’t win it; touchdowns are going to win this thing. I think that really starts by who can control the line of scrimmage.”

Tebow has plenty of history attached to the series

For Tebow and the Gators, the rivalry with the Wildcats provides some unwanted memories as well.

During the 2009 season, it was in Lexington where the All-American was hospitalized after taking a hard shot to the head in the third quarter. The Gators came out on top, 41-7, but it was that scary hit on their quarterback that soaked up the headlines shortly thereafter.

Tebow knows it comes with the territory though and does not shy away from speaking about it either.

“(Lexington’s) always treated me really well..except one time when I don’t really remember much of that trip (laughter), but besides that, it’s always been a lot of fun. It’s a beautiful place and the people are always so friendly. A lot of friends here,” said Tebow.

Have Kentucky fans ever approached Tebow about that hit from Taylor Wyndham?

“Every now and then. Most people are like, ‘I’m sorry to mention this.’ I’m like, ‘Don’t be. It’s part of the game,'” Tebow said.

“Honestly, it was as much to do with just a weird fall on my right tackle’s knee as it was the hit, so it was a good play by him.”

UK knows its identity and play to its strengths

“I think he’s done an amazing job; he really has,” Tebow said of Mark Stoops. “If you look at their consistency throughout his time here, how fundamentally sound they are, they know their identity; they really know who they are. They stop the run. I think they’re No. 1 in the SEC at stopping the run right now.

“They are able to just do a masterful job of getting tips and overthrows. When a quarterback’s a little bit off, somehow they are going to get some turnover to set up their offense with good field position.

“They always put a priority on running the football and then play-action over the top, good in the screen game…just that constant identity. Yeah, based on their players, (there have been) changes and (Stoops) adapts to their strengths, but it’s still the same identity. It’s kind of his plan to win and he’s really good at teaching it.

“I also think for a while now, they have been one of the better programs at teaching the fundamentals of the game. Very rarely does a Kentucky team hurt themselves, especially this year. You’ve seen a lot of teams hurt themselves, put themselves in bad situations, and Kentucky very rarely does that.”

Stay tuned to Gators Online.