Paul Finebaum and Laura Rutledge, a UF graduate, on the set of SEC Nation on Friday afternoon at the Plaza of the Americas. (Photo: Amanda Brooks/ESPN)
SEC Nation Crew Has Eyes on Gators Quarterbacks vs. No. 1 Alabama
Friday, September 17, 2021 | Football
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — It's usually a quiet, peaceful place to rest and study.
Not on Friday.
Plaza of the Americas, located at the heart of the University of Florida's campus, looked different. It sounded different. It felt different.
A familiar face returned town. And as usual, he got a hero's welcome.
A crowd gathered at the front windows of Library West. Students wrestled for position to get a glimpse inside the mostly closed off building.
Inside sat a Heisman Trophy winner and two-time national champion. His statue stood just a half mile away outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Tim Tebow had entered the building.
Most of the students straining their necks to get a glimpse of him hadn't reached the age of 10 when Tebow last played in "The Swamp."
Still, 12 years after his final home game, Tebow creates a buzz around campus each time he comes back. He'll be on the sideline in his role as an analyst for the SEC Network on Saturday when the No. 11-ranked Gators host No. 1 Alabama.
Tebow's eyes will be glued to the field as he watches Florida's two quarterbacks go to work. The former Gators star had high praise for Emory Jones and Anthony Richardson, who are both expected to see action Saturday. Richardson injured his hamstring in the win over USF last week and has received treatment all week.
"Emory has a very gifted arm," Tebow said. "He makes some of the best throws in the country."
As for Richardson, Tebow's been a fan for some time. When Richardson enrolled early in December 2019, Tebow got a glimpse of what the young Gainesville Eastside High product could do.
"I liked it," Tebow said. "Anthony's very gifted."
Tebow isn't the only former Gator back in town to watch the Orange & Blue face the nation's top-ranked Crimson Tide. Laura Rutledge graduated from UF with a degree in journalism. Now, she hosts SEC Nation, the SEC Network's flagship pregame show.
Rutledge, too, lauded both Gator quarterbacks.
"The skill-set is unbelievable," Rutledge said of Richardson. "He has the potential to be great. Florida fans, rightfully so, are really excited about him. We should all be."
But Rutledge says the attention should still be on Jones, a fourth-year junior who made his first career start two weeks ago in a season-opening win over Florida Atlantic.
"I still think Emory Jones should start this game," she said. "This game is way more about Emory Jones showing what he may be capable of than anything else."
Roman Harper, another member of the SEC Nation crew and former standout safety at Alabama and two-time NFL Pro Bowler, echoed his colleagues' thoughts.
All three praised both Jones and Richardson. All three agree: Florida needs an outstanding showing from both to upset Alabama.
"If Florida's going to win this game, they definitely need both players," Harper said. "One is not as effective without the other."
Harper said that Richardson's explosiveness and big-play ability make it difficult to keep him off the field. But with Jones in the game, the playbook is expanded.
It's unclear how much time either will see Saturday as UF coach Dan Mullen continues to say he will play both players. What is clear is that Jones and Richardson need to take advantage of every opportunity. Because when both play well, it's tough for defenses to stop.
It's Florida's most anticipated game in years. Not since 2002 has the No. 1 team in the nation visited "The Swamp." One thing is for certain: the atmosphere will be electric. There'll be 90,000 screaming fans on hand.
But it'll be up to Jones and Richardson to keep them on their feet.
Not on Friday.
Plaza of the Americas, located at the heart of the University of Florida's campus, looked different. It sounded different. It felt different.
A familiar face returned town. And as usual, he got a hero's welcome.
A crowd gathered at the front windows of Library West. Students wrestled for position to get a glimpse inside the mostly closed off building.
Inside sat a Heisman Trophy winner and two-time national champion. His statue stood just a half mile away outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Tim Tebow had entered the building.
Most of the students straining their necks to get a glimpse of him hadn't reached the age of 10 when Tebow last played in "The Swamp."
Still, 12 years after his final home game, Tebow creates a buzz around campus each time he comes back. He'll be on the sideline in his role as an analyst for the SEC Network on Saturday when the No. 11-ranked Gators host No. 1 Alabama.
Tebow's eyes will be glued to the field as he watches Florida's two quarterbacks go to work. The former Gators star had high praise for Emory Jones and Anthony Richardson, who are both expected to see action Saturday. Richardson injured his hamstring in the win over USF last week and has received treatment all week.
"Emory has a very gifted arm," Tebow said. "He makes some of the best throws in the country."
Good hangin with 5 & 15, lookin forward to watching y'all ball tomorrow @GatorsFB @GVOaant @SECNetwork pic.twitter.com/S66IGlL5xF
— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) September 17, 2021
As for Richardson, Tebow's been a fan for some time. When Richardson enrolled early in December 2019, Tebow got a glimpse of what the young Gainesville Eastside High product could do.
"I liked it," Tebow said. "Anthony's very gifted."
Tebow isn't the only former Gator back in town to watch the Orange & Blue face the nation's top-ranked Crimson Tide. Laura Rutledge graduated from UF with a degree in journalism. Now, she hosts SEC Nation, the SEC Network's flagship pregame show.
Rutledge, too, lauded both Gator quarterbacks.
"The skill-set is unbelievable," Rutledge said of Richardson. "He has the potential to be great. Florida fans, rightfully so, are really excited about him. We should all be."
But Rutledge says the attention should still be on Jones, a fourth-year junior who made his first career start two weeks ago in a season-opening win over Florida Atlantic.
"I still think Emory Jones should start this game," she said. "This game is way more about Emory Jones showing what he may be capable of than anything else."
Roman Harper, another member of the SEC Nation crew and former standout safety at Alabama and two-time NFL Pro Bowler, echoed his colleagues' thoughts.
All three praised both Jones and Richardson. All three agree: Florida needs an outstanding showing from both to upset Alabama.
"If Florida's going to win this game, they definitely need both players," Harper said. "One is not as effective without the other."
Harper said that Richardson's explosiveness and big-play ability make it difficult to keep him off the field. But with Jones in the game, the playbook is expanded.
It's unclear how much time either will see Saturday as UF coach Dan Mullen continues to say he will play both players. What is clear is that Jones and Richardson need to take advantage of every opportunity. Because when both play well, it's tough for defenses to stop.
It's Florida's most anticipated game in years. Not since 2002 has the No. 1 team in the nation visited "The Swamp." One thing is for certain: the atmosphere will be electric. There'll be 90,000 screaming fans on hand.
But it'll be up to Jones and Richardson to keep them on their feet.
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