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Gators' defense promises to be big challenge for Bulldogs

Considering Georgia is struggling to find its offensive identity, Saturday’s game in Jacksonville against Florida (3:30 p.m., CBS) would seem to be coming at an inopportune time.

The Gators’ defense ranks third nationally in total defense and second in scoring defense - a couple of huge reasons Florida enters the contest first in the SEC East with a record of 5-1 overall, 3-1 in conference play.

“They’re pretty darn good, and they’re a lot of fun to be around,” Florida head coach Jim McElwain said. “And they’re holding each other accountable, and they’re not worried about when a play does break. This is where I think the difference of the mindset piece … they don’t worry about it, they come back and go get the next play. And that right there is what great teams do and what great units do, and you know we’ve got a ways on one side and yet the other side’s got it pretty well organized.”

Florida’s offense isn’t where McElwain would like it.

While the defense ranks among the nation’s best, Florida ranks 53rd in total offense and 65th in scoring offense.

“Look, these guys have got to realize that they’ve got a chance to really be good,” explained McElwain. “You only do that through repetition and experience and that kind of stuff. What you do is you build on all of the things, the positives, and show, ‘Look, this is what you’re capable of.’ Now, overcoming the negative event or adversity or failure, that’s the key, right?” he said. “The great teams, they just clap it off and go win the next play. We’re still not there on that mindset piece. And yet, I’ve seen some steps in that direction where, I mean, you see it. Something bad happens and everybody just, ‘uh’ and ‘uh.’ Well, the next play, you’re probably going to be ‘eh.’ Does that make sense?”

Like Georgia with Jacob Eason, redshirt sophomore quarterback Luke Del Rio is experiencing some growing pains of his own for the Gators.

In the team’s 40-14 win over Missouri, De Rio threw for 236 yards and a touchdown, but was picked off three times and only completed 47 percent of his passes thrown.

“I think the biggest thing is don't try to do too much.” McElwain said. “And I think he was, you know, he took the plan, he knew the plan and yet he got himself into trouble. I don't know, I like to refer to it sometimes when you're playing that position as seeing ghosts rather than just taking what's real and doing it. And I think he saw that when he watched the video. I mean, he was down on himself, and yet he shouldn't be that down.”

Considering his team is leading the East, McElwain said there’s no reason to be that way.

“Last time I checked, that’s leading the East. And our guys are excited about it,” he said. “We’ve been given a breath of life through some things that have transpired through it without our control, right? And now go take advantage of it, right?”

Earlier, McElwain was asked about Eason, who flirted briefly with the Gators before re-confirming his commitment to the Bulldogs.

"We tried to jump there late obviously when there might have been a crack. I don't know how big the crack was. ... That guy is a special talent. He understands the game; he grew up in it,” McElwain said. “I really enjoyed being around him and his family in the brief time that we were able to. He's a really good player."

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