Bulldogs fans have been foaming at the mouth awaiting Dan Mullen’s return.
Tomorrow they’ll don their maroon and white attire with their shiny cowbells to match as they greet their former Mississippi State head coach with the hostile noise of their bells and whistles.
Florida has spent all week mimicking the notorious banging of those cowbells in preparation for what’s expected to be an emotional trip to Starkville to face No. 23 Mississippi State.
But despite the immense threat that the atmosphere of Davis Wade Stadium will pose, the Gators have deflected much of their attention to the team that will take the field opposite them.
“It’s gonna be kinda tough going into another crazy environment,” said UF offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor, “but we just have to keep our head in the game and do what we have to do.”
Taylor and the Gators’ offensive line will face a challenge unlike any other they’ve seen this season in the Bulldogs’ defensive front.
The experienced and physical tandem of defensive end Montez Sweat and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons is arguably one of the best in college football with a combined 14.5 tackles for loss on the season.
They are one of only two pairs of defensive linemen in the nation to each record at least 7.0 TFLs through the first four games, and they anchor a Bulldogs defense that leads the SEC and ranks second nationally in tackles for loss (43).
“Boy, they’re tough,” Mullen said about the Bulldogs’ D-Line. “I mean most people I think say, they’re probably the best defensive line in America, and I know the depth that they have at that position too. You know not just the one group that comes on the field that’s extremely talented. They’re really three deep on the front with depth and can roll fresh bodies at you, and there’s not a huge drop off as the guys come in.”
Florida has a few impressive defensive stats of its own heading into this weekend’s matchup, too. The Gators rank 10th nationally and second in the SEC (behind Mississippi State) in pass defense. They lead the nation with 14 takeaways, and defensive end Jachai Polite is tied with Oregon’s Justin Hollins for the national lead in forced fumbles (three).
And the return of linebacker David Reese and defensive end CeCe Jefferson proved vital last week when the team trounced Tennessee 47-21.
“I think what you got (is) a more physical presence there,”’ said defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. “And anytime you can add a physical presence, you have a chance to be better against the run.”
To say this weekend’s game could be a defensive battle might not be too far-fetched if it weren’t for guys like MSU quarterback Nick Fitzgerald.
The senior embodies every aspect of a dual-threat quarterback with his arm strength, size and quickness.
He is responsible for nine MSU touchdowns this season and leads all SEC quarterbacks in rushing touchdowns with five.
“He brings so many different things to the table,” Mullen said of his former quarterback. “He’s a veteran guy, he’s hard to shake, he’s played a lot of football games.”
But the Gators have confidence in their redshirt sophomore quarterback Feleipe Franks, who has thrown for 12 touchdowns with just two interceptions this year.
“He’ll do everything to try to win games and get first downs for this team,” receiver Tyrie Cleveland said. “You know, you’ve got to give him credit. From last year to now, he improved a whole lot. Thank him for this, the whole work ethic and the leadership.”
Florida hasn’t played a game in Starkville since 2009 and enters the contest leading the all-time series 33-19-2.
“We have another opportunity to go out this week and prepare and go out and play the game we all love,” Franks said. “Great test for us, another road game, awesome environment. We love those kind of games. So we’re excited, and we’re ready for it.”
Follow Alanis Thames on Twitter @alanisthames or contact her at athames@alligator.org.
Florida right tackle Jawaan Taylor (65) said the team is going to try to block out the infamous cowbells at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville. "We just have to keep our head in the game," he said.
