Florida Gators
2001 record: 10-2 (6-2, second in the Eastern Division)
Coach: Ron Zook (first season)
Starters returning: 5 offense, 5 defense, 1 kicker

Outlook: Consult Chuck Fairbanks. Huddle with Ray Perkins. Call up Earle Bruce. Paging Gary Moeller. Come in, Gary Gibbs. Hello, Ray Goff. Ron Zook could use your collective advice on the thankless task of following a larger-than-life coaching legend.

The men listed above did not leave their positions at Oklahoma, Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, Oklahoma and Georgia, respectively, with confetti in their hair. Time will tell whether history lumps Zook into the same unflattering category.

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At least the guy has talent on his side, most importantly Heisman Trophy runnerup Rex Grossman, who was persuaded to stay in school for his junior year. Steve Spurrier didn't leave Zook without options. He'll need them, because from a Sept. 7 showdown with defending national champ Miami through the Nov. 30 game at Florida State, the schedule is merciless.

The immediate challenge for offensive coordinator Ed Zaunbrecher is to at least approximate the efficiency and entertainment value of the Fun'N' Gun offense. It will be impossible to replicate Spurrier's funky formations, bold play-calling and other trickery, but he did plenty of pitchin' and catchin' with Byron Leftwich at Marshall. Grossman lost top targets Jabar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell, but Taylor Jacobs is back after an MVP performance in the Orange Bowl demolition of Maryland. Florida's running game atrophied last year, but talented Earnest Graham might finally get 20 carries a game behind a young (no seniors) but huge line.

The best news in the coaching change might well be the arrival of defensive coordinator John Thompson, whose unpredictable and aggressive schemes improved defenses at Arkansas, Memphis and Southern Mississippi. His alignments should help overcome the loss of six starters, including star pass-rusher Alex Brown, lineback Andra Davis and defensive backs Lito Sheppard and Marquand Manuel. Safety Todd Johnson (85 tackles, two interceptions) will be the leader this year.

Keep an eye on: Graham is hardly an SEC unknown, but this could be his chance to break through and become a national star. Spurrier looked at his running backs as props, but Zook looks at the 5-9, 215-pound senior and sees Marshall Faulk Lite. He envisions an every-down back who can line up all over the field and pile up yards rushing and receiving. The Gators were 10-0 last year with Graham in the lineup, 0-2 when he was out injured.

Key game: The Miami game Sept. 7 is immense, but Florida-Tennessee is where Spurrier's ghost will loom largest over Zook. Ownership of what became the league's marquee rivalry was Spurrier's No. 1 calling card -- though it should be remembered that his first trip to Knoxville as coach of the Gators ended in a 45-3 humiliation.

It's a good year if. . .: Zook survives with his wits and 10 wins. That's how many Stevie Boy averaged over 12 seasons. Getting to 10 in the regular season means Florida will have to win at least two against the Hurricanes, Volunteers, Georgia and Florida State. But it also means that Zook will have to continue Spurrier's hegemony over the latter half of the SEC East: South Carolina, Kentucky and Vanderbilt. Spurrier was 32-0 against those three, proving as adept at squashing the little people as knocking off the big boys.

Pat Forde covers college football for the Louisville Courier-Journal.