text: florida gators\n\nAfter Year 1 of the Urban Meyer coaching regime, the Gators were playing in January. And this was after a season that had some pitfalls until Meyer adjusted his spread option scheme at midseason to accommodate quarterback Chris Leak’s dropback passing talents. Though top receiver Chad Jackson has split for the pros, Andre Caldwell and Dallas Baker make for some inviting downfield targets for the strong-armed Leak. Caldwell missed most of last season with a broken leg after catching 43 passes for 689 yards in 2004. \n\nDuring the offseason, Meyer expressed chagrin over the situation at tailback, saying he’ll play without one unless someone takes charge. The starter is DeShawn Wynn. All three of the backs who played significantly last fall are back, and Wynn, a senior who has run for 19 touchdowns over his career, could finish with a bang. But he’ll have to do it behind an offensive line that returns only one starter — Steve Rissler, who is moving from guard to center. \n\nThe Gators will field the best defensive line in the SEC. End Jarvis Moss led the team with 11 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks, and he was only used in passing situations. Tackle Marcus Thomas broke through for 10.5 tackles behind the line. Florida is also blessed with two of the league’s most talented linebackers in Earl Everett and Brandon Siler, the team’s top two tacklers from a year ago. But as formidable as the defensive front appears, the secondary needs three new starters. \n\nAlabama and LSU take on the Gators in the Swamp on consecutive midseason Saturdays, but Tennessee, Auburn, and Florida State are all away games.\n\nmy pick: SEC champions\n\nReturning starters\n5 offense, 5 defense, both kickers\n\nElite eight\nThe 2006 Gators will play eight teams that appeared in 2005-06 bowl games.\n\nGive and take\nFlorida’s turnover margin of plus-1.50 per game was third nationally.\n\nUrbanization\nMeyer has won 81 percent of his games as a head coach at 48–11 over five years, and he has never come close to a losing record.\n\n2006 Schedule\nS. 2 Southern Miss\nS. 9 UCF\nS. 16 at Tennessee\nS. 23 Kentucky\nS. 30 Alabama\nO. 7 LSU\nO. 14 at Auburn\nO. 28 #Georgia\nN. 4 at Vanderbilt\nN. 11 South Carolina\nN. 18 Western Carolina\nN. 25 at Florida State