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It is finally here.

After working and sweating throughout the summer, after playing a perfect SEC slate at 8-0, and after going 11-0 to this point in the season, the Gator football team is approaching the finish line for the 2009 season.

Welcome to the real season.

Not to take anything away from what Florida has done to date, because being number one and undefeated and staying there all year long with the accompanying pressure this team has had to endure is certainly nothing to sneeze at, but these final three games will dictate how successful Florida's season will truly be.

But wasn't it fun to see some of the backup players get significant playing time and produce in the big win over FIU last week? Quarterback John Brantley threw three touchdown passes; receivers like Omarius Hines, Frankie Hammond Jr. and Justin Williams found the end zone and even Andrew Blaylock got in a few snaps at quarterback.

Minus Blaylock, this could be a glimpse into the Gator offensive of the not too distant future. The competition may not have been SEC grade in the FIU game but having these guys perform well can do nothing but help them down the road.

You also know it is a good offensive day when guys like VIncent Brown and Christopher Scott get carries at tailback. It is a good day when a Shawn Schmeider throws a nice block on the offensive line on a Brantley touchdown throw.

Young defensive guys like linebacker Jon Bostic got to play too. Duke Lemmens even got a start in this game on the defensive line. Even Joey Sorrentino was playing some defense. And the defense as a whole was stellar again as it has been most of the season, holding FIU to under 200 yards of total offense even with backups playing for much of the second half.

But now it is time to turn the page for the stretch run, and maybe it is time Gator fans turn the page too. Those who have been critical of the offense, or of this play or that play or the play calling or whatever...at this time, with only three games to win for a national title, it is all about winning. Don't worry about what the score is or how close the game is or how well the team played. It is just all about winning and that is all that counts now.

It all starts with an FSU team that has certainly had more ups and downs than your neighborhood ferris wheel. Defensively, coordinator Mickey Andrews and his troops have not been good all year but offensively, even with starting quarterback Christian Ponder hurt and freshman E.J.Manuel now playing, the Seminoles are capable of scoring points.

It will be an emotional day for Gator coaches, players, and fans when Senior Day rolls around against FSU. A group that has won more games than any other senior class in SEC football history will have one last game to hear the cheers of the Gator faithful in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Guys like Tim Tebow, Brandon Spikes, Jermaine Cunningham, Riley Cooper, Markihe Anderson, Brandon James, David Nelson and Ryan Stamper deserve loud ovations as do the rest of the seniors. They've earned it.

But their job isn't done. They have a chance to beat Florida State again, win another SEC championship and another national championship. As great as this run has been for the seniors, there is more work to do.

Right after the FIU game, Gator head coach Urban Meyer said it best about FSU week.

"It's the world," Meyer said. "It's what makes this job the best job in college football, it's what makes this stadium the best in college football, it's Senior Day at Florida I mean this is going to be a special week."

"And in case you're wondering, it has started already."

Welcome to the stretch run.