It’s all happening for Florida's football team.
The Gators just notched a quality division road win over South Carolina, rose to a season-high No. 7 in the AP Poll and have sole possession of first place in the SEC East.
Now, UF heads into its second bye week right where it wants to be, in the words of coach Dan Mullen.
“It’s good credit to the guys, our team, of (the) next guy up to get us in this position with all the injuries we’ve had to deal with this year,” Mullen said.
Those injuries are what make Florida’s breather before a Nov. 2 matchup against rival No. 10 Georgia in Jacksonville so important.
The Gators were without defensive end Jabari Zuniga and edge rusher Jonathan Greenard against the Gamecocks in the team’s 38-27 win, and it was abundantly clear the team’s vaunted defense was not at full strength.
For the second straight game, UF yielded over 200 rushing yards to its opponent. Zuniga and Greenard both played in limited capacities against then-No. 5 LSU two weeks ago, Florida’s 42-28 loss in which the team gave up a season-high 511 yards.
Both defensive anchors are dealing with ankle injuries, but Mullen believes they’ll both be available for the Georgia game, which may decide which team comes out of the SEC East.
“By medical standards and timing, I’m very optimistic that they’ll be good to go,” he said. “I’m optimistic, honestly, that they’ll be good to go for next Monday’s practice.”
The extra time may also allow receiver Kadarius Toney to return to action on the other end of the bye week. He has not played since injuring his shoulder against UT Martin in Week 2, but Mullen has not recently commented on his status.
Florida may be catching Georgia at its most vulnerable in the past three years. The Bulldogs lost to South Carolina in overtime 20-17 two weeks ago at home as the No. 3 team in the nation. UGA followed that performance up with a scoreless first half against Kentucky, but ultimately ended up winning 21-0.
Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm has just 330 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions in the past two weeks. Running back D’Andre Swift, however, has 292 yards on the ground and three touchdowns in that same period. His production further underlines how important Greenard and Zuniga’s potential returns will be to the Gators’ run defense.
This off week also splits up an often talked about five-week stretch in which Florida faces three top-10 teams. Three weeks ago, UF defeated then-No. 7 Auburn at home, two weeks ago it lost to LSU and, if Florida and Georgia’s positions hold, the game in Jacksonville will round out that gauntlet.
“It was a rough little stretch, but I think we handled it well,” defensive end Zach Carter said.
The past month saw the Gators build up an impressive resume, with their only blemish being a quality loss to the best offense in the country. This is evidenced by Florida being the highest-ranked team with a loss. But players are welcoming the rest before their next game.
“I think this bye week will do us very well,” receiver Freddie Swain said. “Getting guys back, getting guys rested and getting the young guys an opportunity in practice to show what they can do.”
Follow Kyle Wood on Twitter @Kkylewood. Contact him at kwood@alligator.org
Injured players, like receiver Kadarius Toney, can use the bye week to recuperate.
