Florida's 38-28 win over Arkansas should prove to the doubters around the country that the Gators are good enough to play in the big game. This was not a narrow victory. This was not a Gators team that relied on a blocked field goal to get by. This was a terrific defensive performance, and another example of UF's ability to find ways to win.

Allowing 28 points is hardly dominant defense, but when you look at it further, 14 of those points came as the result of a Chris Leak interception. With UF leading 17-7 early in the second half, Leak was picked off by linebacker Weston Dacus at his own 32. Arkansas capitalized with a touchdown. About six minutes later, Leak tried a shovel pass to Percy Harvin. Defensive lineman Antwain Robinson intercepted it and ran it 40 yards for a touchdown.

The Gators trailed for the first time all game. It was suddenly Arkansas 21 - Florida 17 with 8:22 to play in the third quarter. Then, the Gators caught a big break.

Both head coaches emphasized special teams this week. On one possession, UF made two enormous special teams plays to get the lead back. First, it was a fake punt on their own 15. Punter Eric Wilbur handed off to Percy Harvin, and he gained 17 yards to pick up a first down. Later on the drive, Wilbur punted for real. The kick was dropped by Arkansas return man Reggie Fish. UF's Wondy Pierre-Louis recovered in the endzone.

Florida 24 - Arkansas 21.

Special teams took the game back for Florida. Percy Harvin, the game's MVP, won it for his team. On the second play of the fourth quarter, Harvin ran 67 yards for a touchdown. It occurred to me before this game that we were probably going to see the two most talented players in the conference - Harvin and Darren McFadden.

It was all Percy Harvin today. He finished with six rushes for 106 yards and a touchdown. He added five catches for 62 yards and another touchdown.

This is why people pay attention to recruiting. Because when you can pull in a talented freshman like Harvin, you don't need to wait for him to develop before he can start taking over games. Harvin was the difference maker today.

And the Florida defense did what it did best. UF needed turnovers...UF forced turnovers. The Razorbacks had the ball with 8:59 to play, down by 10. The game was hardly over, but the nation's best ball hawking defensive backs made sure there would be no comeback.

McFadden, out of the Wildcat formation, rolled to his right, waited patiently, and fired downfield. Reggie Nelson crossed in front of the intended receiver and recorded his sixth interception of the season. On the next Arkansas drive, the Razorbacks, trailing by 10, threatened to make it a three point game. Quarterback Casey Dick threw for the endzone on second down and nine at the UF 25. Ryan Smith (who else?) came through with the interception. I don't think the Gators fans were surprised. That was Smith's eighth interception of 2006.

So did the Gators do it well enough? Will they convince the voters that they deserve to jump Michigan? For some reason, I don't think so. Maybe it will be Chris Leak's interceptions. Maybe it will be because voters might not consider Arkansas a worthy opponent anymore, now that the Hogs have lost two straight games. My guess is the excuse will be, "Darren McFadden got injured in the first quarter." UF can't seem to catch a break in the media, and I don't know if that will change now.

I do know that Urban Meyer, who found out about USC's 13-9 loss in the third quarter, believes the Gators should be playing for a title.

"You're gonna go tell a group of young men who just went 12-1 (against) the most difficult schedule, against six ranked opponents, that they don't deserve a shot to go play for the National Championship?"

Hopefully, the people who will decide the matchup will not ignore UF's rush defense. Jarvis Moss (four tackles, one tackle for a loss, one pass breakup) was a monster today. Brandon Siler played great (12 tackles), and an injured Earl Everett gave a courageous effort and made a huge difference with six tackles.

"They got one of the top rushing defenses in the country," McFadden said, "and they showed it."

The stats show that Arkansas rushed for 132 yards, but the Gators held the Razorbacks to under four yards per carry. That's dominant.

It wasn't pretty for Florida, but give the Gators credit for coming back from a third quarter deficit. The momentum belonged to Arkansas. It looked bleak for Florida, but the UF won in the fourth quarter. That's what great teams do.

Florida? Michigan? I'm just not sure which team it should be. UF certainly made its claim legit tonight.

As the team finally made its way off the field about ten minutes after the game ended, halfback Eric Rutledge and offensive lineman Jason Watkins carried a banner that read, "Back Where We Belong."

They meant as SEC Champions.

Now, there's a new question. Where do the Gators belong next month? The boys in orange and blue think they should be in Glendale.

"Florida belongs. We deserve a shot," Meyer said. "The other team had a shot...I think the country wants to see the Southeastern Conference Champion against the Big 10 Champion."