The prevailing theme surrounding the Gators lately is that Florida's offense is much worse this season than it was last year.

Florida is averaging just 25 points per game in SEC play, and frankly just hasn't shown much of the big-play mentality it had last season with Percy Harvin and Louis Murphy. But while the Gators may not look as impressive, and the offense seems to be drastically different under new offensive coordinator Steve Addazio, the numbers suggest that Florida isn't as far off from last year as it may seem. 

As for Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, he's averaging just 159 passing yards per game, but his passing rating is actually higher than it was at the same time last season. Which is one of many reasons why UF coach Urban Meyer is a little annoyed at criticism of Tebow.

"I heard someone say this one time, and it’s the most unbelievable thing . . . that he wants to make sure he’s going to complete the ball, that’s he not a chance-taker, he’s not a guy that’s going to go take that shot when it’s not there,'' Meyer said. "Yeah, I know, he’s playing quarterback. That’s why his record is so good. And it blows my mind when I here that: he won’t take that chance. You take that chance when you get your team. You don’t take that chance when you’re trying to move the ball down the field. He’s playing at a very high level. Statistically, with all the stuff that he’s had to deal with and we’ve had to deal with, the injury, it might not be off the charts. But once again, how do you evaluate a quarterback? A winner and efficiency. And you find me one better than Tim.''

Here is a statistical look at the Gators through six games last season and this season:

   
 2008    2009 Difference
Record    5-1   6-0    +1
Points/Game   38.5 36.3  -2.2
First Downs 124 1 49 +25
Rush Yds/Game 193  259.8   +66.8
YPC  5.3    5.8 +0.5
Rush TD  14 13    -1.0
Pass Yds/Game  211.3 210.7 -0.6
Yds/Att   8.2 9.0  +0.8
Yds/Catch 13.2 13.4 +0.2
Pass TD  10  12    +2
Pass Rating  150.7    167.2  +16.5
Total Yds/Game    404.3    470.5  +66.2
Yds/Play  7.7  6.9    -0.8
Total Plays    314  410   + 96
3rd Down Conv    33-73 38-74  
3rd Down %       0.452 0.514  +0.061
Red Zone   23-24 24-30  
Red Zone %    0.958   0.800     - 0.158
Red Zone TD 15-24   15-30  
Red Zone TD %    0.625  0.500    -0.125
TOP/game     30:14 31:07 +00:53

In their final six regular season games last year, the Gators' offense scored 63, 49, 42, 56, 70 and 45
points respectively.