GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Welcome to the University of Florida, where averaging 5.6 yards per carry is a failure.

At least that's the label with which Gators fans branded senior running back Kestahn Moore, last year's starter who didn't exactly stink up the joint.

So a crucial fumble against LSU didn't help his cause. Especially in an offense that averaged a Southeastern Conference-leading 42.5 points per game in 2007. His confidence plummeted in the second half of 2007 and he finished the year with 578 yards.

At the end of the day, the problem at running back wasn't so much summed up by the numbers game as it was a facial expression from Coach Urban Meyer.

One that has magically dissipated this preseason.

"I told you I'm excited; I can't wait to play them," Meyer said of this year's running backs corps. "Before . . . (face shrug) I guess we've got to play them. Two years now. You can lead the SEC in offense and not have a great running back."

It's easy for fans and coaches to be excited about players in the preseason. Everybody is saying the right things. Fingers are pointed upward instead of toward someone's chest in blame.

But by all accounts, there seems to be no denying the improvement in a UF running game that hasn't had a 700-yard rusher not named Tim Tebow or Percy Harvin during Meyer's first three years.

Florida hosts Hawai'i in a season-opener next Saturday.

This preseason has seen less fumbling, which is enough to get any running back Meyer's scarlet letter and a free trip to the bench. Five different running backs are competing for significant playing time, including Groveland South Lake freshman Jeff Demps.

Meyer is calling Moore "dynamic" these days. USC transfer Emmanuel Moody is a new component in a group full of what Meyer calls "home-run hitters."

This could be the first year in Meyer's four-year tenure that a running back rushes more than 150 times. As long as the five-man crew takes pressure off Tebow, who rushed 210 times for 895 yards in 2007.

Moody, who rushed for 5.8 yards per carry as a freshman at USC, said it's up to each running back to help Tebow and Harvin (764 yards rushing).

"It really comes down to who brings it every day," said Moody about which running backs will get the most carries. "Not guys who quit and get tired, but who brings it every day is the guy you can really trust."

Here are the top-five reasons UF's running backs will not stink in 2008.

CALLING ALL UTES

Expect a variation of the blueprint Meyer used for his running game at Utah in 2004. That undefeated team had a potent 1-2 combination with running backs Marty Johnson (782 yards) and Quinton Ganther (620 yards), complemented by quarterback Alex Smith, who rushed for 563 yards.

Such a balance would lighten the burden on Moore, who might fit in better as part of a tandem or three-back rotation instead of trying to fill the expectation of becoming UF's 1,000-yard workhorse.

Keeping in mind there are only so many downs to go around, Moore could join Moody or redshirt freshman Chris Rainey while others — including redshirt sophomore Mon Williams and Demps — play supporting roles. Moore is also expected to play some fullback in certain packages.

"I think it's going to be a 1-2-3 combination, maybe four," Meyer said.

THE PERCY EFFECT

Assuming his heel doesn't go Grant Hill on him, Harvin could see more carries from the backfield. He's up to around 204 pounds and looks the part of a tough between-the-tackles back.

Meyer hasn't been afraid to use Harvin in multiple offensive sets, but if any of the running backs struggle, expect Harvin's stat line to read "Rushing attempts — 15." Meyer said Harvin's use as a running back is "week to week, game to game."

"When (Harvin) lines up in backfield, he's one of the best in America," Meyer said. "When he lines up with receivers, he's one of the best receivers. Having a true running back in the game will help."

A LESSER TEBOW

The spread offense is predicated on unpredictability. Tebow rushing 210 times in one year is anything but.

Meyer is committed to running from the quarterback spot because, in the spirit of the spread, the quarterback is simply wasting space when handing the ball off. And letting Tebow do his thing will always be an attractive option.

If Tebow's carries drop from 210 to, say, around 150, his fellow playmakers will benefit.

But Tebow doesn't have to prove his worth as a runner. The running backs do.

DEPTH

One theory: There are only so many players who can struggle at one spot.

Rainey is up to 182 pounds and expected to get a real chance. Loads of hype surround Moody. Williams is having a solid preseason. Demps was one of the first freshmen to be de-striped — removing a stripe off your helmet at UF is a sign that you've earned your way onto the team.

"They've all set themselves a part," running backs coach Kenny Carter said. "There's not a player that's recruited at any position in this school that's not supposed to be as good a player there is in the country."

Leadership will likely come from Moore, who is starting to transcend from his label of being tough but not spectacular.

A PUNCH LINE

When all else fails, rely on an established offensive line.

UF's most underrated position is clearly a line that features four returning starters if you count tackle Phil Trautwein, who missed last year with a stress fracture in his foot.

The only nonstarter from last year is guard Mike Pouncey, who has star potential alongside center Maurkice Pouncey, his twin.

All of them are taking the running game personally. Guard Jim Tartt said the quarterback, the running backs and the hybrid players can all join the first-down party behind them.

"We're the best at what we do," Tartt said. "The whole game depends on how we play up front."