Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low
Even though Florida’s defense didn’t have its best day against Arkansas last week, the last thing Urban Meyer is worried about is his defense’s mindset.
Now the Gators’ health on defense? That’s a different story.
The defensive line is really hurting right now, and only two of the top six tackles are completely healthy -- junior Terron Sanders and redshirt freshman Omar Hunter.
Lawrence Marsh, Jaye Howard, Justin Trattou and Brandon Antwine are all battling injuries and anywhere from questionable to doubtful for the game Saturday at Mississippi State (ESPN, 7:30 p.m. ET).
Middle linebacker Brandon Spikes is still day-to-day with the groin injury that caused him to miss most of the Arkansas game. The Gators are hopeful he’ll be able to go against the Bulldogs, who feature one of the top running backs in the SEC in Anthony Dixon.
The Gators, who are ranked second nationally in total defense, gave up a season-high 357 yards to Arkansas last week in a 23-20 win.
"Our defense was crushed after that game," Meyer said.
But Meyer said that comes with the territory when you have a veteran unit that has such high standards. The Gators have still given up only two rushing touchdowns all season.
“There’s only a couple of ways to analyze it: Are you winning games and are you statistically doing a good job?” Meyer said of his defense. “If we’re not No. 1 in the country, and I don’t watch it that close, but I think we’re No. 1 in most defense categories in the conference, and there are some good defenses in this league.
“I think they’re doing great. I think there’s a defensive coordinator [Charlie Strong] that has very, very high expectations, a defensive staff, and more importantly, some players who felt like we could have played much better, and that’s kind of cool. I like that.”
Even though Florida’s defense didn’t have its best day against Arkansas last week, the last thing Urban Meyer is worried about is his defense’s mindset.
Now the Gators’ health on defense? That’s a different story.
The defensive line is really hurting right now, and only two of the top six tackles are completely healthy -- junior Terron Sanders and redshirt freshman Omar Hunter.
Lawrence Marsh, Jaye Howard, Justin Trattou and Brandon Antwine are all battling injuries and anywhere from questionable to doubtful for the game Saturday at Mississippi State (ESPN, 7:30 p.m. ET).
Middle linebacker Brandon Spikes is still day-to-day with the groin injury that caused him to miss most of the Arkansas game. The Gators are hopeful he’ll be able to go against the Bulldogs, who feature one of the top running backs in the SEC in Anthony Dixon.
The Gators, who are ranked second nationally in total defense, gave up a season-high 357 yards to Arkansas last week in a 23-20 win.
"Our defense was crushed after that game," Meyer said.
But Meyer said that comes with the territory when you have a veteran unit that has such high standards. The Gators have still given up only two rushing touchdowns all season.
“There’s only a couple of ways to analyze it: Are you winning games and are you statistically doing a good job?” Meyer said of his defense. “If we’re not No. 1 in the country, and I don’t watch it that close, but I think we’re No. 1 in most defense categories in the conference, and there are some good defenses in this league.
“I think they’re doing great. I think there’s a defensive coordinator [Charlie Strong] that has very, very high expectations, a defensive staff, and more importantly, some players who felt like we could have played much better, and that’s kind of cool. I like that.”
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Chris Low
Low joined ESPN.com in 2007 after 10 years with The (Nashville) Tennessean covering the University of Tennessee and SEC. The Rock Hill, S.C., native lives with his wife in Knoxville and has three sons.
SEC SCOREBOARD
Saturday, 11/21
Final Mississippi State 21 Arkansas 42 Final Chattanooga 0 2 Alabama 45 Final Florida International 3 1 Florida 62 Final 8 LSU 23 Mississippi 25 Final Vanderbilt 16 Tennessee 31 Final Kentucky 34 Georgia 27
