Tide Rolls Into Tebow's Legacy -- Again

Tim Tebow is not done writing his legacy.

Tebow, Florida's iconic, left-handed quarterback, can still win a third SEC Championship on Saturday at the Georgia Dome, a second Heisman Trophy the following weekend in New York City and a third national title next month in the Rose Bowl. Tebow's legacy in college football history is obviously secure.

However, how Tebow finishes beginning Saturday against Alabama could define him as the greatest ever. End of debate. Not only are Tebow and the Gators trying to finish unbeaten for the first time in school history, Tebow has the chance to become the first player in NCAA history to win three national titles and two Heismans.

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Of course, Tebow, as the world knows, is more concerned with team accomplishments than individual honors.

The UF-Alabama showdown is expected to rock, and Tebow is usually his best in defining moments. Just as he was in last year's SEC Championship, rallying the Gators in the fourth quarter over the Crimson Tide. But this is a new year with new challenges, starting with Tebow and his offense.

"It's been a lot of ups and downs with us because people are expecting more on some games," Tebow said. "You've got to score more, got to be more flashy and make more big plays. Sometimes it's not just who we are."

Say hello to Alabama, which is secure in its identity. Tebow knows he must be prepared for a Tide defense that ranks third in total defense, first in pass defense, second in scoring defense and second in rush defense. Tebow also expects to see a few new wrinkles from Alabama.

"Coach Saban does a great job. He makes his own discoveries, he makes up his blitzes and he does a good job," Tebow said.

"He's not going to have many tendencies at all. He tries to get rid of them in three, four weeks and get to a new
set of packages three, four weeks and just does a good job of mixing things up. His players are smart. They've
played with a lot of intelligence.

"So, they always try to put themselves in a good defensive play, kind of like our offense does based on what the defense does. I know there could be some checks going on in the game, but it'll be fun going up against a defense like that."

Fans are well-versed in Tebow's accolades, but that doesn't mean he won't be ultimately judged by fans and by history by what happens in the SEC Championship, and beyond.

Tebow became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy. He owns the SEC records for rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns, and has the second-highest passer rating in conference history.

But should anything less than a national championship be considered a failed season for Tebow and the Gators? UF coach Urban Meyer has cast a wary eye when it comes to focusing on history.

"We try not to be and we're not going to worry about it," Meyer said.

"I do watch their eyes when I talk to them. They get to make history by being the Gators. ... Wait a minute; we get to make history by winning another one? I try to get a pulse from our players for what catches them. If they yawn when they are sitting there eating their granola bar. If I see them lock in, I'm going to keep pushing.

"This will make history, so we've been using that a little bit."

Of course, recent history at UF has started with Tebow, who accounted for five touchdowns in the Gators' easy 37-10 win over state rival Florida State last Saturday and has thrown a touchdown pass in 37 of 39 career starts.

Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain has a long memory -- he says without hesitation that Tebow willed the Gators to the victory last season over the Tide in the fourth quarter. UF gained 130 total yards and limited the Tide to just one yard of offense n those final 15 minutes.

McClain credits Tebow for a job well-done, but he also blames himself and the Tide defense for allowing the comeback.

"We obviously want everyone to finish, but I think what changed in the fourth quarter was guys -- we got too caught up in the moment," McClain said.

"Coach said if you can do what makes a great player is somebody who is capable of doing what he's been doing even when things get tough.

"And I think our guys got caught up in the pressure and they wanted to be the hero and make the extra effort play instead of just doing what we had to do and doing what our job was and just let our defense take care of itself."

The Gators have out-rushed 22 consecutive opponents, a stat dating back to their last loss against Ole Miss in 2008. Clearly, the team that runs better on Saturday will have a decided edge. And let's not forget about Tebow either.

Fresh off a 9-3 season in his first year as coach at UF, Meyer knew there was one player he simply had to have: Tim Tebow.

"I don't know if we will get him, but I will tell you this," Meyer said at the time. "Whoever gets Tim, they'll win multiple championships."

Tebow selected UF over Alabama.

The rest is history, though Tebow is not done writing his legacy just yet.