GAINESVILLE -- The University of Florida football team should wear throwback uniforms for its final Southeastern Conference regular-season game Saturday.

It would be a fitting tribute, considering the top-ranked Gators (9-0, 7-0 SEC) are beating their opponents this season like SEC teams of a bygone era: with a powerful rushing attack, strong special teams and defense, defense and more defense.

Florida has won 19 consecutive games dating to 2008. It's not the longest winning streak in SEC history -- Alabama has won 28 in a row twice -- but, according to records dating to 1960, it has been one of the most dominant. During this historic 19-game run, Florida has outscored opponents by 10 or more points in 18 games (94.7 percent of the time). The last SEC winning streak to come close to that level of SEC lordship was from 1961 to 1962, when Bear Bryant's Crimson Tide won 19 games in a row and defeated 17 opponents by 10 or more points (89.5 percent).

The embedded irony of the Gators' yesteryear dominance of the SEC this season -- consistent rushing, elite special teams and one of the best defenses in the nation -- should not be lost on anyone. When Florida coach Urban Meyer first arrived at Florida, many wondered whether or not the coach from Utah and his newfangled spread-option offense could thrive in the Southeastern Conference.

Those questions, of course, were quickly answered. Now, in 2009, Florida's offense is doing things differently. Now, the Gators are beating SEC teams the old-fashioned way. This week, Florida is ranked No. 1 in the SEC in rushing (240.7 yards per game) with a stable of talented running backs and a bruiser at quarterback.

Much offensively has changed during Florida's dominant run but the most important thing has not: quarterback Tim Tebow. With Tebow in the shotgun, Florida's offense wields a multipurpose weapon in one player. He's the precision dagger and the battle hammer. This season, the Gators are ranked No. 1 in the SEC in passing efficiency (159.5 rating) and No. 1 in third-down conversion percentage (45.1).

``Tim is one of the best probably in college football history in short yardage and red-zone production because of his ability to throw it and run,'' Meyer said.

With Tebow at quarterback during Florida's 19-game winning streak, Meyer has proved, in a sense, that he can win his way and the traditional SEC way. Meyer's only complaint? He said this week that he would like to see more big plays. Does Meyer really need more big plays to win? Probably not if the Gators' defense and special teams continue to play at such a high level.

There is not a more complete team in the SEC -- and maybe the nation.

Florida's punter, Chas Henry, did not allow a punt return until the ninth game of the season and kicker Caleb Sturgis is 4 of 4 this season on attempts of 40 or more yards, including a 56-yard kick against Georgia. Return specialist Brandon James is the SEC's all-time leader in kick-return yards.

Meyer is the team's special-teams coordinator and said Monday that the favorite part of his job is coaching the Gators' punt team.

``I hate to punt but I like punt [team],'' Meyer said. ``The fire in their eyes, man.

``They understand that if you want to win a game, you better be really good at that phase.''

A coach who loves his punt team more than anything else? Talk about a throwback.

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