I want to thank Urban Meyer this morning.

I want to thank Urban Meyer for winning a game against a tough, but overmatched opponent.

I want to thank Urban Meyer for winning a game against a tough but overmatched opponent instead of yielding to the critics, forcing the issue, and risking what was most important: winning the game.

Never in my life have I witnessed a W characterized with such disdain.

Football is a game based on capitalizing off mistakes. And while speed can be utilized to blow out opponents such as Troy and Charleston Southern, facing a more talented Tennessee squad requires a different type of game plan: patience.

Not that a blowout wasn’t possible. Even without throwing the football downfield Florida was still 2 yards away from going up 30-6 early in the fourth. But this game was going to be about mistakes.

Tennessee only turned the ball over once while the game was still in doubt, and on the ensuing drive they were lucky to hold the Gators to a field goal. But it was evident that letting Jonathan Crompton throw the ball was not the way to maintain possession of the football. Additional turnovers, sacks, or incomplete passes brought with them the potential to give Florida extra possessions and extend the length of the game. And give credit to Lane Kiffin: he understood that his team could not win a game like that. It’s the reason his quarterback didn’t pass for 100 yards even with his team trailing by two scores in the fourth quarter.

But he must have understood he couldn’t win the game by simply running the ball! And those who watched the game should understand that as well. After Florida adjusted to the conservative game plan following Tennessee’s impressive opening drive, the Vols had five drives yielding a grand total of 43 yards and producing only 3 points thanks to a great interception by Eric Berry. And you don’t have to be a mathematician to know that averaging 8.6 yards-per-drive is not a successful blueprint for victory.

So he couldn’t win throwing the ball, and he couldn’t win running the ball… which, in my estimation doesn’t leave him much room for success.

And credit Urban Meyer for understanding this. Credit him for not yielding to the risky and unnecessary temptation to try and run up the score to please all the critics out there who don’t understand the value of a win in college football. If Florida goes undefeated yet wins by a margin of victory hovering around 1 point, I think the fans will be just fine with the result. An undefeated Florida will still be your national champion.

And Lane, I made that point without mentioning the flu or injuries.