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Tebow, Florida host Auburn, try to avoid looking ahead

Sep 29, 2007 - 10:46 AM Auburn (2-2) at No. 4 Florida (4-0) 8:00 pm EDT

GAINESVILLE, Florida (Ticker) -- Florida coach Urban Meyer certainly knows not to overlook Auburn.

Led by star quarterback Tim Tebow, the fourth-ranked Gators hope to avenge their lone defeat from last season when they host the Tigers in a Southeastern Conference clash on Saturday.

Last year, Florida had just defeated Louisiana State at "The Swamp," 23-10, when it was downed by Auburn on the road, 27-17.

But Florida rebounded from that defeat to win its final five regular-season games, the SEC championship over Arkansas and then the BCS national championship with a 41-14 romp over No. 1 Ohio State.

This year, the Gators (4-0, 2-0 SEC East) may be tempted to overlook Auburn because the Tigers already have two losses and because Florida visits No. 2 LSU next Saturday.

But Auburn (2-2, 0-1 West) is still dangerous and is coming off a 55-20 rout of New Mexico State.

Ben Tate rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown and Mario Fannin ran for 103 and three scores for the Tigers, who produced 229 yards and five TDs on the ground.

Florida, meanwhile, had to sweat out a 30-24 road win over Mississippi, despite another sterling performance from Tebow.

A true sophomore, Tebow passed for 261 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 166 yards - the most ever for a Gators quarterback - and two scores.

Tebow, a more natural fit for Meyer's offense than last year's starter, Chris Leak, ranks third nationally in passing efficiency (197.96).

Last year's meeting was the first between the teams since 2002, when Florida posted a 30-23 win here.