Have you ever had a day that you’d like to take back? Maybe not even the whole day, just a bad afternoon that ruined a good morning and set you back?
The Florida Gators defense had just that in the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers. Florida took to the road that week allowing just over 129 yards per game and looked to have the best defense in the country. They held the Volunteers to three points in the first half on 162 total yards. A 21-3 lead after 30 minutes seemed insurmountable before the unthinkable happened.
The Volunteers came out of the locker room and posted 336 yards and 35 points over the next 30 minutes of football. Jalen Tabor slipped, allowing a 67-yard touchdown to Jauan Jennings, giving Tennessee a 24-21 lead they would never relinquish.
Even with a disastrous half of football the Florida defense is among the best in the SEC. The Gators lead the conference in total defense (252 yards-per-game), scoring defense (12 points-per-game) and passing defense (132.8 points-per-game) and have the league’s fourth best rushing defense (119.17 yards-per-game). If you take out the one half against Tennessee Florida’s scoring defense turns into the best in the country (6.17 ppg). As too does their total defense (196 ypg) and passing defense (93.67 ypg). The rushing defense, which has taken a hit without Joey Ivie, Jordan Sherit and a banged up Caleb Brantley, still comes in 10th in the country (102.83 ypg).
Florida’s defense was incredible against Missouri in the first half. The Gators forced six consecutive three-and-outs before returning interceptions for touchdowns on the following two drives.
“It starts with our defense. They did an unbelievable job shutting them down,” McElwain said Saturday. “Defensive scores, you’ve always got a chance to be successful, and all great teams score on defense, there’s no doubt about it. That was really good.”
The Gators’ offense will get better. Luke Del Rio’s three interception performance against Missouri will prove to be enigma as the rest of the season goes by. The Gators’ identity has been revealed though. Florida is going to count on its defense, which may trail only Michigan as the best in the country, and their three-headed rushing attack on offense. When the running game gets going it will open up the play action pass.
Nobody thought that in October Florida’s offense would be walking around like a newborn giraffe but here we are. It’s the same story with Florida’s defense carrying the team. Florida’s defense is god, as good as they have been in any of the last four seasons, if not better. If Florida wants to get to Atlanta, they’ll need the offense to show up because the defense and special teams aren’t going to score 27 points every week like they did against Missouri.