Tim Tebow: Gators lack identity

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The pressure is mounting on Floridacoach Will Muschamp and his slumping Gators.

The latest salvo came Tuesday morning from within the UF family, as former Heisman Trophy winner and current SEC Network analyst Tim Tebow delivered a pointed critique.

"I don't think the offense has an identity right now, and I don't think that they know what they want their identity to be," the former Florida quarterback said on Jacksonville sports radio station 1010 XL. "One of the biggest problems on the offense is leadership."

Florida (3-3, 2-3 in the SEC) has a bye this weekend after getting embarrassed in a 42-13 homecoming rout against Missouri. Fans chanted "Fire Muschamp" and booed both the offense and quarterback Jeff Driskel before leaving in large numbers during the third quarter.

"[The Missouri loss] was tough to watch," Tebow said. "If you're a Gator fan, it was not easy to watch. They just didn't play with the heart that I'm used to watching Florida Gators play with."

Tebow, who was raised a staunch Gator fan in nearby Ponte Vedra Beach, had been a strong supporter of Muschamp. Now he's just another sharply critical voice in the case against Muschamp, who has a 25-19 record at UF and has lost 10 of his last 13 games.

Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley on Monday said he is continuing to "evaluate the season as it plays out." Florida's next game, against No. 9 Georgiain Jacksonville, is one of the Gators' biggest annual rivalries.

Tebow says his alma mater still has a lot to play for, regardless of whether Muschamp is fired before or after the game.

"You need to have something to motivate you, something to give you an edge," Tebow said. "They're not out of the SEC East.

"Maybe they can rally around the 'our backs are against the wall' mentality. ... They need to get hyped and play with a chip on their shoulder when they come to Jacksonville."