Florida’s defense has garnered a good deal of hype entering Friday’s Citrus Bowl contest against Michigan, and deservedly so.
But the Wolverines are sick and tired of hearing about it.
“All you hear about is their defense and what they've done,” defensive lineman Chris Wormley said. “We're gonna show the SEC what Michigan football is all about."
With the success both defenses have had this season, Friday’s matchup is likely to be a slugfest.
Florida ranked sixth in total defense and ninth in scoring defense during the 2015 season, which included matchups against Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry and other top running backs such as Leonard Fournette from LSU and Dalvin Cook from Florida State.
Michigan was equally impressive, ranking fourth in total defense and 11th in scoring defense, but the Wolverine defenders don’t feel like they are getting the same type of respect heading into the game.
Part of it, they believe, is the stigma surrounding Big 10 defenses, which have been exposed against the speed of the Southeastern Conference in previous bowl seasons. But they aren’t buying that notion this time around.
“I feel like as a defensive line we're faster than their offensive line,” Wormley said. “There's a lot of stereotypes out there and I guess we'll have to prove them wrong."
Florida’s defenders say they aren’t taking the comments personally, however, because that mentality is normal for any player or unit striving for greatness.
“That's how they're supposed to feel being the competitor because we feel the same way,” defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard said. “But it's really more about going out and showing it and not really talking about it.
“We're going to show that we are the best.”
The Gators won’t be trying to show that fact through individual performances, though, which is something UF defensive coordinator Geoff Collins said has made his group so successful all season.
“The magic is how fast they run to the ball, the attitude they have when they take the field,” Collins said. “And I think the impressive thing about them is that when they're playing, they're playing as one.
“They take the field together. They get the call together. They communicate with each other. And then they fly around, make plays, try to get the ball out.”
Michigan’s defense will be doing the same thing, too, and while the attention might not be there from the outside, Florida’s coaches are well aware of what the Wolverine defense is capable of.
“They're an outstanding defense,” UF offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier said, who served as Michigan’s offensive coordinator in 2014. “They're top five in every — about every major category. … They're playing extremely hard, obviously, and doing a great job on third down getting off the field.”
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UF defensive coordinator Geoff Collins speaks during a press conference at the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 30, 2015, in Orlando.
