ESPN College Football

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Some extra thoughts and notes on my time in Gainesville from last weekend:

• I'll start things off by talking about defensive end/Buck Ronald Powell, who will be out four to six months after tearing his ACL in the Orange and Blue Debut. Before the injury, most around Florida's program felt Powell was having the best spring of any of the defenders. After two seasons in which people expected more from Powell, he really turned it up this spring. He was more aggressive, tougher and caused more headaches for Florida's offense than he had during any other time. Coach Will Muschamp might have found that dangerous pass rushers he needs in his defense. Now, Muschamp must turn elsewhere and things will start with OLB Lerentee McCray. He was out with an injury this spring, but played the Buck in place of Powell at times last fall. He made his biggest jump as a player last season and is one player Muschamp and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn are especially excited about.
• True freshmen Dante Fowler Jr. and Jonathan Bullard will get chances to play at the Buck, too, but keep an eye on Neiron Ball. He didn't play last season because of the arteriovenous malformation found in his brain in February of 2011. There has been no word yet if Ball could resume playing for the Gators, but if he remains healthy and the SEC clears him, Ball could get a shot at play at the Buck.
• The quarterback situation was tight before the spring game and was even tougher afterward. Jacoby Brissett entered the spring with a little bit of an advantage, but Jeff Driskel played his way right back into it. I was told that he really has matured both on and off the field this spring. He's taking film more seriously and he's looking to be a real leader now. He wasn't sure how to operate at the college level last fall, but is getting much more comfortable, now. As for Brissett, he doesn't lack confidence at all. He was smiling, laughing and cracking jokes (one on me in front of everyone) during his news conference after the spring game. He fits a pro-style offense more than Driskel and that will help him in the long run. Athletically, Driskel has the edge, but this thing will come down to which one can take over this team during summer workouts.
• Tyler Murphy is a distant third in the quarterback race. He didn't get much time in the spring game and spent more time talking with offensive coordinator Brent Pease. But that doesn't mean he's not helping. He was relaying signals better than anyone and most there think he understands the offense the best, he's just not has gifted physically. He knows what to do the best of the three, but might not be able to do it the best. His role will be more of helper at this point, but he's valuable for the other QBs.
• Pease is much more hands-on with his quarterbacks and players. He was snatching players around during spring game warmups as they ran through plays and formations. He's making sure everyone knows exactly what they're doing and where they're supposed to be. It's especially helping the quarterbacks. Driskel said Pease's closer instruction has helped him learn the offense better than he did last fall. Driskel didn't have any bad words for former coordinator Charlie Weis, but said Pease's approach has been very helpful. "He's developed us into much better quarterbacks in the short time he's been here," Driskel said of Pease.
• This team is much closer than it was a year ago. Like I said in my coaching recap, the pregame locker room was electric. It wasn't like that last year, especially not for a spring game. Linebacker Michael Taylor told me this group really banded together after the Florida State loss. That one really hurt these guys. They were all called soft by their coach and made it a point to change Muschamp's opinion of his team. Something certainly is different. Players are stepping up and leading more than they did a year ago. "A team that's together is a team that's better," Taylor said.
• Two young players to keep an eye on are wide receiver Latroy Pittman and cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy. Pittman might have been Florida's best receiver this spring and while he's not the fastest guy out there, he's tough, physical and has solid hands. With Florida still lacking a true playmaker at receiver, Pittman will get his chance to play a lot this fall. Purifoy drew praise from Muschamp last season, but really came along this spring. With Marcus Roberson out for most of the spring, Purifoy got more reps at corner. He might be lining up opposite Roberson at the second starting corner spot this fall.
• Don't forget about corner Jeremy Brown. I talked to him briefly before the spring game and he said that his knee is much better than it was last fall. His career has been riddled with injuries (he's missed three seasons in four years), and he received a medical redshirt from the NCAA after missing all of last season. This is a guy who was ahead of Janoris Jenkins at one point in his career before a back injury sidelined him for two years. Having him back will definitely upgrade this secondary.
• The offensive line looked better, but time will tell how good this unit can be. Muschamp seems pretty happy with it, mainly because he has depth. He talked about only having six scholarship linemen at one point during the offseason because injury. The team had to take breaks in practice to keep those guys going. That wasn't the case this spring. For as bad as the quarterback play looked and for as much as Florida struggled to run up the middle, a lot of the Gators' shortcomings came because of an inefficient offensive line. "We're better offensively than we were at any time last year," he said. "We have everybody back and we have some talented guys."
• Jeff Dillman might have been Muschamp's biggest hire. Florida's new strength coach was with Muschamp at LSU when the Tigers won it all in 2003-04. He's focusing on more Olympic-style lifting and you can tell. The players are much bigger than last fall. Dillman's secret? Three moves: the power clean, the snatch and the split jerk. He's making sure they're hitting every muscle possible as efficiently as possible.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The adventure as a guest coach at Florida's spring game continues ...

12:00 p.m.: A host of former players get together for a flag football game dubbed the "Battle of the Decades," with players from the 1980s, '90s and 2000s participating. Thankfully, none of the old guys is hurt from all that running.

12:10: The quarterbacks come out and SI.com's Andy Staples and I try to meticulously dissect every single part of Jeff Driskel's and Jacoby Brissett's games to figure out which one is better. Like everyone around Florida's program, we're unable to.

12:20: I walk over to punt-return drills, nearly getting clocked by a ball the wind carried over toward me. Marcus Roberson, Trey Burton, Loucheiz Purifoy and De'Ante "Pop" Saunders are taking reps.

12:29: One-on-ones between receivers and defensive backs begin. It's light, but it's something to look at and we still can't figure out which quarterback is better, but tight end Jordan Reed impresses with a one-handed catch and true freshman receiver Latroy Pittman out-muscles his opponents for a few tough catches.

12:35: The offensive line goes through drills which incorporate a lot of spinning, slapping, pulling and pushing. It's humorous, until you realize how much bigger they are than you. Then you just think it's dangerous. Offensive line coach Tim Davis screams "Spin, spin, spin," until he's blue in the face and his voice is hoarser than before.

12:49: After watching the offensive line go at the defensive line, headlined by a rough battle between Sharrif Floyd and Xavier Nixon, the team jogs to the middle of the field for one last huddle before hitting the locker room.

12:51: We're in the locker room and the fun begins. After the team splits up by position, the coaches start going over last-minute game plans and emphasizing technique. "Stay under control!" running backs coach Brian White yells. "Let's get this crowd jacked up! Have people leave this (game) knowing we're going to flat-out dominate up front!" Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn preaches mental toughness in loud, quick bursts. He doesn't want to see any walking around or hands on hips. He wants energy and aggression on the field. "Ball Out U!" he screams. "Put out great (expletive) tape! When we turn on the tape I want to make sure I can't wait to watch you."

12:57: The excitement is growing inside the locker room. An animal is waiting to be unleashed. Players are hyped, as White walks around with a smile on his face saying, "Lotta nervous faces in here today," over and over. He's followed by verbose defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson, who constantly taunts the receivers and pretty much every offensive player. "Let's get to those quarterbacks today and get in their faces!"

12:59: Floyd sits and stares at the floor, like he's ready to destroy it. The person giving bear hugs and high-fives at the Gator Walk is ready to rip someone apart like a bear. He sits in silence as a coach tosses him smelling salt. He sniffs and doesn't flinch. He's ready.

1:04: Defensive end/Buck Ronald Powell shoots up out of his chair and starts dancing around, yelling inaudible words of encouragement to his teammates. He's pushing guys and slapping their pads. "Play yo game, baby! It's just practice! Everything you do, you've done before!"

1:05: Floyd stands and walks to the center of the locker room. His teammates huddle around him. Players go silent when he speaks. "Do your job, not the man next to you!" His voice is deep, loud and haunting. He keeps shouting "aggressive" over and over, which fuels his teammates even more and incites a frenzy before head coach Will Muschamp arrives.

1:07: Following the Lord's Prayer, Muschamp delivers a short pregame speech. "Fast and physical. Offense, run the ball down their throats!" The place explodes as players exit the locker room, tapping the orange "GRIND" sign above the locker room door on the way out.

1:10: Kickoff.

We didn't get to actually coach or call plays, but here are some observations from the sideline:

• Davis was very hands-on with linemen when they made mistakes. He made them verbally repeat their mistakes and asked them what they had to do to correct them. He was extremely thorough with players and took time to teach between plays.
• Offensive coordinator Brent Pease was really concerned with clock management. He was constantly telling the quarterbacks not on the field to make sure that the one in the game knew about the clock and knew when it was running out, even though there was no delay-of-game penalty. That communication failed early in the scrimmage.
• Even though Pittman had a pretty impressive day, receivers coach Aubrey Hill and receiver Andre Debose were coaching him on his routes, helping him get out of his breaks faster on the sideline.
• Driskel and Brissett looked like old fishing buddies out there. They were joking with each other after plays and helping each other when they made mistakes. Competition didn't stop them from cooperating.
• Tyler Murphy appears out of the quarterback race, but he showed some excellent coaching skills. He was spouting terminology and trying to help as much as he could. He was by Pease's side almost the whole time and was able to find a lot of the little things the other QBs missed. He might know the offense the best, but isn't as skilled as the others.

Quick quotes:

• Running back Mack Brown after getting popped during his touchdown run: "He picked me good. He Goldberged me."
• Receiver Solomon Patton after Chris Johnson's 15-yard run in the fourth quarter: "Man, we got some backs."
• Debose to walk-on Michael McNeely after his 52-yard catch: "I bet you thought that ball was in the air forever, huh?"

2:53: Blue defeats Orange 21-20 and I debut with a victory. As Muschamp jogs to meet Florida's band director, he stops to congratulate me on my win and I announce my retirement from the coaching profession.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Four members of the media were chosen to be guest coaches and allowed to go behind the scenes of Florida's Orange and Blue Debut on Saturday. Brady Ackerman of Sun Sports, Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun, Andy Staples of SI.com and yours truly were granted access to join the Gators as they prepared for their spring game. We experienced the sights and sounds of the closest thing to a game day for a major college football program; this is what I saw ...

8:00 a.m.: I arrive at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium with a Starbucks Doubleshot and a Snickers Marathon energy bar to start the day. The sun is up and there's a breeze in the air. It's almost the perfect setting to start a long day of running around Florida's football facility.

8:30: We meet with coach Will Muschamp in his spacious office inside the stadium for a casual 15 minutes to talk shop. There are some laughs and some talk about the team, and he warns us that a poor performance by one of the two teams -- Orange or Blue -- will be followed by having the blame placed on the two media members coaching that side. Ackerman and I are placed on the Blue Team, while Dooley and Staples are assigned to the Orange Team.

9:05: A true breakfast of champions. We walk over to one of the dinning halls across from the stadium. The first thing you notice is that the dining area couldn't be big enough to house all these football players, but somehow, it is. The Gators pile in and begin the feast. The basics are there: pancakes, bacon, eggs and grits. And at the end of the buffet line, steaks and grilled chicken breasts sat there ready to be devoured ... and they were. After sipping on some fine, freshly squeezed orange juice, we media members tried to blend in and snag some grub before the carnivores went back for seconds. Linebacker Jelani Jenkins stacked steaks on chicken, while fullback Hunter Joyer went with pretty much everything he could lay eyes on and added some pasta. The fruit was barely touched. I tried to mimic the players, throwing protein and starch together for a yummy, relatively healthy cornucopia of deliciousness. Grilled chicken and pancakes really do work.

9:35: After stuffing our faces, we head back over to the stadium and toward the locker room. We stand around as players, coaches, recruits and staff members wandered the halls. TV screens that surround a massive gator head in the middle of the room show highlights from the 2011 season, mixed with music videos featuring LMFAO, Will.i.am and Drake. Every player touches the gator before he runs out onto the field before games.

9:37: Running backs coach Brian White, defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and offensive line coach Tim Davis gig us about coaching. We're asked what our game plan is, and we basically say not getting in the way. Dooley tells Quinn to blitz every down and I tell Davis that he should be glad I'm on his team because my PlayStation skills are unmatched. He laughs, realizing I'd be in over my head if this were real.

10:05: After walking back and forth for a good 10 minutes, rising senior defensive tackle Omar Hunter embraces Quinn and yells "Last time, baby," signaling that his Gators career is coming to an end.

10:20: We leave the locker room to go on the Gator Walk. Last year, the team bussed. This year, it walked, so we walked. The team is dressed in orange shirts and blue shorts -- nothing too flashy. Wide receiver Quinton Dunbar awkwardly raps the words to some song, while the freshmen converse about doing this for the first time.

10:26: I finally hit the official start of the Gator Walk. It's spring break for Alachua County school districts, so the crowd is a little thin, but it's lively. Still, with the smaller crowd there to greet the Gators, kicker Caleb Sturgis utters this gem: "This is what happens when you go 7-6." Defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd looks at me and says that the Gator Walk never gets old, then counts the number of hugs he gave with the exact number of "a lot."

10:40: As the team piles into the locker room, the offense stays on the field for a mini walk-through. Offensive coordinator Brent Pease goes over Xs and Os and formations ... lots of formations. He's pulling, pushing and quizzing guys along the way and even puts on player on the spot with a heap of questions about a certain play and formation. Luckily for the player, he passed Pease's test.

10:49: The offense huddles up, with rising sophomore quarterback Jeff Driskel pushing to the middle, before breaking and heading to the locker room.

11:55: After a lot of waiting and people watching, we finally head into the locker room with the players an hour before kickoff. Led by new strength coach Jeff Dillman, the players are going through dynamic stretching, with Dillman leading like a drill instructor with short, loud commands. Players isolate their cores, thoroughly stretch their legs and their backs; Dillman is very technical and very loud. "We're gonna have a great day today!" he yells. "Build that rage! One minute till we prime that engine!"

A Friday stroll around the SEC:

• Archie Manning makes a plea to Ole Miss fans: We need to unite.
• Georgia expects offensive guard Kolton Houston to have his eligibility restored.
• Back from suspension, South Carolina's Byron Jerideau is working his way back into the starting lineup at defensive tackle.
• LSU's draft prospects show their stuff at pro day.
• Florida defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is banking on his defense to create more turnovers in 2012.
• Florida running back Mack Brown is getting good reviews this spring.
• Auburn is hoping its receivers can stay healthy next season.
• Some notes from Auburn's first day of spring practice.
• Bill Parcells and Lou Holtz are speaking at Nick Saban's annual coaching clinic.
• Running back Johnny Jefferson decommits from Texas A&M after taking visits to Baylor and TCU.
• Sophomore Lucas Vincent should bolster Missouri's thin defensive line.

The start of spring practice is less than a month away for Florida, and it can’t get here soon enough for Will Muschamp.

His first season as Florida’s coach is in the books, and it wasn’t what anybody in the Gator Nation wanted -- and that includes the Head Gator.

Florida was forced to play a pair of true freshman quarterbacks during the teeth of the schedule, and there was very little depth to speak of in the line of scrimmage. Muschamp has also conceded that the chemistry on the team was poor and that players were pulling in different directions.

The result was a 7-6 finish, including an 0-6 record against teams that finished the season with a winning record, not to mention losses to Eastern Division rivals Georgia and South Carolina in the same season for the first time since the Gamecocks joined the league in 1992.

If that’s not enough, it was only the second time in the past 30-plus years that Florida had lost six games in a season. They finished 6-6 in 1987.

So forgive Muschamp if his focus is on the future, although that doesn’t mean he’s oblivious to what went wrong in Year 1.

He knows exactly what has to change if the Gators are going to go from a 7-6 team to a team that has a chance to be in Atlanta playing for the SEC championship in 2012.

“The No. 1 thing defensively is that we have to create some turnovers,” Muschamp said. “We were probably the worst in the country for whatever reason. I’ve been the worst and the best, so I’ve got to figure out what we did that year we were the best at Texas. That’s the first thing.”

Indeed, the Gators were 113^th nationally in turnover margin last season with 14 gained and 26 lost. Only seven teams in the country generated fewer turnovers.

In 2009, Muschamp’s Texas defense forced 37 turnovers, which tied for the most nationally.

The other thing at the top of Muschamp’s agenda is playing better up front, particularly on offense. The Gators were eighth in the SEC last season in rushing offense.

“We have to be able to run the ball more effectively when we need to,” Muschamp said. “We didn’t do that.”

He feels better about his running game in 2012 with just about everybody coming back in the offensive line, and the Gators should also be bigger and more physical at running back.

“We really don’t lose anybody that played for us last year in the offensive line, and they get another year within our system of moving forward,” Muschamp said. “We’ll also be bigger in the backfield. I love Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps and the job they did at the University of Florida. But at the end of the day, you do get limited in some of the things you want to do as far as the inside run game is concerned.

“You can only take so many runs into a game, so you have a lot of the perimeter runs they were able to do and some of the inside runs they couldn’t do we should be able to do now with Mike Gillislee, Trey Burton, Mack Brown and Matt Jones, the freshman coming in.

“That’s where we’re headed.”

Brent Pease takes over as Florida’s offensive coordinator, and certainly Muschamp wants to be more physical across the board on offense. Along those lines, you’re probably going to see more multiple tight end sets and the Gators trying to create some matchup issues.

Muschamp said the staff will take its time on the quarterback issue. Both Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel saw significant action last season as freshmen.

“We’ll let it play out,” Muschamp said. “When we know, we’ll know. I think, again, I have a lot of confidence in Brent and the offensive staff and my judgment on who the guy will be to lead this football team. At the end of the day, it’s a long season in the SEC, and we’ve got to have all hands on the deck and be ready to roll.”

The other area of emphasis, and one that killed the Gators last season, will be red-zone offense.

In the losses to Auburn, Georgia and South Carolina, Florida was 1-of-7 in the red zone in scoring touchdowns.

“I attribute a little bit of that back to running the football,” Muschamp said. “Our production offensively has to increase -- period. We have to be able to sustain some drives and then consistently stop the run defensively.”

The Gators finished No. 8 nationally in total defense in 2011, allowing an average of 299.5 yards per game. But with 10 starters returning on defense and this being the second year in Dan Quinn’s system, Florida has a chance to take it to a whole different level defensively in 2012.

“As a football team, we were really good on special teams all year. They were outstanding,” Muschamp said. “But the thing that really jumped out at me is that we improved defensively. We really got better. I’m looking at things like playing blocks. I’m not looking at the scoreboard. I’m looking from the standpoint of leveraging the ball, understanding our scheme, playing blocks, getting off blocks, disengaging, maturing in the system, maturing as players, taking the next step. All of that, we improved.”

A snapshot of what's shaking around the SEC:

• Tennessee coach Derek Dooley says the Kentucky loss will bother him for the rest of his life.
• Steve Spurrier fills his final coaching vacancy at South Carolina.
• Oxford's a perfect fit for "just Eli."
• LSU quarterback signee, 6-foot-3, 270-pound Jeremy Liggins, breaks the quarterback mold.
• The Urban environment pollutes the Big Ten, writes Jon Solomon of The Birmingham News.
• Evan Woodbery of The Mobile Press-Register takes a look at the 2012 Auburn roster.
• Recruiting elite talent has been the cornerstone of Alabama's rise under Nick Saban.
• The signing of Otha Peters and Darius Philon may outweigh the loss of Dorial Green-Beckham.
• Florida defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has turned down an offer to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' staff.

Florida's start to national signing day didn't really go as planned for the coaches, but the Gators received some good news after a few commitments didn't go their way.

The Gators' staff grabbed its ninth ESPNU 150 member when four-star defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. (St. Petersburg, Fla./Lakewood) flipped from Florida State to Florida.

Fowler helps add some depth to Florida's defensive line and could line up at the Buck position that Ronald Powell plays.

“It was real difficult,” Fowler told Derek Tyson of ESPN's GatorNation. “Being committed for a year and growing up a Florida State fan all my life -- I always hated Florida, and I always told myself I would never go to Florida and now I’m about to be playing for them. It’s kind of crazy.”

Florida also got a bit of a surprise when three-star wide receiver Raphael Andrades (Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln) signed Wednesday morning.

It seemed as though Andrades was down to four programs -- Arkansas, Kentucky, Notre Dame and Vanderbilt -- but received a late offer from Florida. However, Andrades' interest in Florida isn't anything new. He actually considered walking on at Florida if he didn't receive an offer.

Florida is still hoping to add No. 3 Stefon Diggs (Olney, Mary./Our Lady of Good Counsel), who will decide on Feb. 10.

Our offseason spotlight continues with the Florida Gators:

Spotlight: Defensive end, Ronald Powell, 6-foot-4, 248, rising junior

2011 summary: Powell moved to the Buck position, which is basically a hybrid linebacker/defensive end in Dan Quinn and Will Muschamp's defense. He started 12 games for the Gators, ending the season fourth on the team with nine tackles for loss, and he had a team-high six sacks. He also recorded 32 tackles, three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.

The skinny: Powell was the No. 1 recruit in the nation two years ago and it seemed as though he'd be a monster pass-rusher for the Gators. But with two seasons under his belt, he has yet to really live up to expectations. He looked much better and a little more active at the Buck position, but there were still times last season when it just didn't look like Powell gave it his all. This defense is built on aggressive play, but Powell had a reputation for taking plays off. Powell should use this offseason to mature more on the field. Powell has tremendous athletic ability, but he doesn't always use it. He has the speed to be dangerous and he should use this offseason to work on being more consistent as a pass-rusher and improving his work ethic. Florida can't afford to have Powell waste his athleticism, and the coaches won't be afraid to bench him if needed. He's also a veteran now and needs to start taking command of this team on and off the field.

Other spotlights:

Alabama

Arkansas

Auburn

Six bowl games involving SEC teams have given us plenty to digest.

Granted, two still remain with Arkansas taking on Kansas State on Friday night in the AT&T Cotton Bowl and then Alabama and LSU squaring off on Monday night in the Allstate BCS National Championship Game.

Before we look ahead, let’s look back with a special bowl edition of Hot and Not:

GLOWING EMBERS

SEC momentum: The league is already 4-2 in bowl games and assured of winning its sixth straight BCS national championship. Not only that, but if Arkansas can take care of Kansas State, there’s a pretty good chance that four of the top 8 teams in the final polls will be from the SEC. Alabama, LSU and South Carolina are top 10 locks. And looking ahead to next season, the early feeling among several in the college football world is that Alabama, LSU, Georgia and South Carolina could all start the season in the top 15, maybe even the top 10. Arkansas isn't going away, either.

HOT

Georgia’s Brandon Boykin: What a show the do-it-all senior cornerback put on in the Outback Bowl. Too bad the Bulldogs’ collapse spoiled what was one of the better all-around performances you’re ever going to see from a college player. Boykin returned a punt 92 yards for a touchdown, recorded a safety when he tackled Michigan State’s Keshawn Martin in the end zone and also caught a 13-yard touchdown pass. Boykin’s a terrific football player and vastly underrated. I’m as guilty as anybody for not giving him more props throughout his career.

NOT

Mississippi State’s Chad Bumphis: After catching one pass for minus-3 yards and rushing twice for minus-4 yards in Mississippi State’s 23-17 win over Wake Forest in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl, Bumphis went out and got arrested the next night in his hometown of Tupelo, Miss., on charges of public drunkenness and disorderly conduct at a local bar. Making it even worse for Bumphis is that he claims he did nothing wrong and was hit in the face with champagne bottles while posing for pictures. So much for a Happy New Year.

HOT

South Carolina’s defense: Not a bad debut at all for newly promoted defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward. The Gamecocks held Nebraska scoreless over the final three quarters in their 30-13 Capital One Bowl win, and the Huskers had minus-15 total yards in the fourth quarter. They don’t call him “Whammy” for nothing.

NOT

Vanderbilt’s passing game: The Commodores had seemed to solve their passing game woes this season. But outside of Chris Boyd’s 68-yard catch and run for a touchdown, they didn’t make much happen through the air in their 31-24 loss to Cincinnati in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. Jordan Rodgers started out ice cold and was injured. Senior Larry Smith came off the bench to throw the touchdown to Boyd on a short flip, but his late interception sealed the Commodores’ fate. Rodgers and Smith finished a combined 12-of-34 for 168 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.

HOT

Auburn quarterback Barrett Trotter: He’d been forgotten about by most fans, but Trotter came off the bench for the injured Clint Moseley and saved some of his best passing of the season for the finale, leading Auburn to a 43-24 win over Virginia in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Trotter is a perfect example of an upperclassman who lost his starting job, didn’t sulk, hung in there and was ready to answer the call when his team needed him.

NOT

Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray: It wasn’t the return Murray was hoping for to his hometown of Tampa. The Bulldogs’ sophomore quarterback had a banner season with his school-record 35 touchdown passes, but the Outback Bowl turned in Michigan State’s favor on Murray’s two third-quarter interceptions. The first pick set up a touchdown, and the second pick was returned 38 yards for a touchdown, completely changing the complexion of that game.

HOT

Florida defensive coordinator Dan Quinn: We heard all season how bad the Gators were on offense -- and they were. It’s about time, though, that Quinn and that Florida defense get a little love. The Gators deserved better defensively this season and got it done in the 24-17 win over Ohio State in the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl. It’s a defense that returns most of its key pieces next season and should be really good in 2012. Then again, the Gators ended this season ranked No. 9 nationally in total defense. Now, let’s see if they can move in the direction of building a top 10 offense.

NOT

Alshon Jeffery being kicked out: OK, he shouldn’t have been mixing it up with Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard in the first place and should have been smart enough to walk away. That’s easier said than done when a guy is hounding you all day. But go back and watch the replay. Only one of the two threw a punch, and it wasn’t Jeffery. Yet, both were ejected from the game.

FREEZER BURN

Mark Richt’s overtime strategy: His decision to play for a field goal -- a 42-yard field goal -- after Bacarri Rambo came up with the big interception in the first overtime was baffling enough. But then you consider how erratic the Bulldogs’ kicker, Blair Walsh, had been this season, and it’s even more baffling. Walsh had already missed 12 field goals coming into the game. The Bulldogs even took a 2-yard loss on second down to position the kick, and it backfired … badly. It was a good season for Richt and the Dawgs, especially the way they battled back from the 0-2 start, but the ending sure was weak.

Florida senior defensive tackle Jaye Howard wouldn’t change much about his time in Gainesville.

While his final year hasn’t been great, considering the Gators’ 6-5 record heading into Saturday’s game with Florida State, he says he’s grown more as a person and a player in this one year than any of the years prior.

Howard has been one of Florida’s most consistent defensive linemen and is third on the team with 55 tackles, including 6.5 for loss and three sacks. He was also considered to be a top defensive tackle draft prospect for next year’s NFL draft before the season.

ESPN.com spoke to Howard to discuss his final year, the Gators' struggles and his career at Florida.

Edward Aschoff: How many emotions will be running through you this weekend in the Swamp with this being your last game and it coming against a rival like Florida State?

Jaye Howard: It’s huge. At this point, I can say that I don’t like them. But it really hasn’t hit me. Honestly, it won’t hit me until I hear my name called on senior day. It’s going to be very emotional, man. I just want to get a win for this program and for my senior class.

How important has this game been for you every year since you’ve been at Florida?

Very important. It’s always been a big one for me personally. Now, I have to go out there and play well in order to solidify myself for the next level.

Speaking of solidifying yourself for the next level, earlier in the season you said you were playing the best football of your career. Now that the season is almost over, where do you think you are?

This has been the best year of me being a Gator. The coaches have taught me a lot. Right now, I feel like when I’m out on the field I can play with anyone.

Stats are something that a lot of people harp on, but what do you think is the most impressive part of your game?

I still have a motor. I play hard every play that I’m out there. I play hard and I cause havoc. I haven’t put up big numbers as far as having sacks, or TFLs, but I’ve been causing havoc for offenses.

You said you’ve learned so much this year. What specifically have you learned from your new coaches?

The technique, man. The technique has been awesome to learn. Both coach Dan Quinn (defensive coordinator) and Bryant Young (defensive line coach) have taught me exactly what it takes to be effective.

Considering what this season has been like, how tough has this year been for you as a senior?

It’s been tough, but I try not to think about that. I try to go out there and win every week. Things haven’t gone as planned, but I know it’s a rebuilding year and these guys are going to be great for years to come.

Even with the struggles, do you still feel like this is one of the closest teams you’ve been on during your time at Florida?

Yeah, no question. When teams go through tough times, teams get divided, and we haven’t been divided. We’ve stuck together and we’ve been through the fire. My teammates have the utmost respect from me. A lot of teams would have already broken down.

Going back to your last game in the Swamp, what were some of your favorite memories there?

My first memory was my freshman year, coming out of the tunnel; I got trampled coming out. I can’t even remember who trampled me, it happened so fast, but I managed to get up before anyone saw me fall. My favorite memory is probably the 2009 Tennessee game. I made a bet with (former defensive end) Carlos Dunlap that if I made a big play I’d do the Daunte Culpepper (celebration), the “Roll on.” I made a big play against Tennessee and “rolled” for about 15 yards and got a penalty and got pulled out of the game.

Was it worth it?

Yeah.

So how would you sum up your career at Florida? You started off as a defensive end, now you’re a defensive tackle. You have some good times and down ones. It sounds like it’s been a wild ride.

Yeah, it has been. I came in as a defensive end, undersized, and blossomed and turned into a defensive tackle. It’s been good, man. I have no regrets about coming to the University of Florida and everything works out for the best.

» Power Rankings: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-12 | SEC

Another week means more movement in our power rankings:

1. LSU: The Tigers (2-0) have shown that you don't need a powerful offense to succeed. It's all about defense for LSU and that defense has been very good for the Bayou Bengals. After shutting down Oregon in Cowboys Stadium, LSU sported the purple jerseys in its home opener and totally dismantled an over-matched Northwestern State team, allowing just 95 total yards of offense. Moving the ball against this group looks like it will be a tall order for any team this fall.

2. Alabama: The Tide (2-0) isn't flashy on offense by any means, but this team manages the game well and is efficient. AJ McCarron seems to have cemented himself as the starter in Tuscaloosa after an impressive day in Happy Valley over the weekend. Help will eventually be on the way on offense, once receiver Duron Carter is cleared to play. He should provide a much-needed deep threat to the offense. Like LSU, consistently moving the ball on this defense is beyond hard.

3. Arkansas: This team has quietly put up a ton of points in its first two games. The Razorbacks (2-0) have outscored their opponents 103-10. Granted, Arkansas isn't playing top-level talent, but we can see that this offense can still move the ball, despite losing Ryan Mallett to the NFL draft and Knile Davis to a knee injury. It will be interesting to watch how injuries in Week 2 affect the Hogs. Quarterback Tyler Wilson left the game with concussion-like symptoms, receiver Jarius Wright suffered a strained knee, and defensive end Jake Bequette injured his hamstring. Arkansas won't need them against Troy this weekend, but they'll need to be healthy for the trip to Alabama to close the month.

4. South Carolina: The defense hasn't been pretty, but it made the necessary plays to squeak by Georgia in Athens on Saturday. South Carolina (2-0) has really been pushed in the first two weeks, but the Gamecocks have showed resiliency. They aren't winning the way they'd like to, but the Gamecocks are undefeated and have the early lead in the SEC East. Teams know Marcus Lattimore and Alshon Jeffery are going to be heavily targeted and both are still making plays.

5. Florida: We still don't really know what to expect from the Gators (2-0). Florida's defense has looked faster and much more aggressive under new head coach Will Muschamp and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, but Florida hasn't faced SEC-quality opponents. This week, the Gators will as Tennessee comes to town with its high-flying offense. Chris Rainey has been the star on offense and John Brantley isn't making a lot of mistakes, but the playbook will have to open up as the Gators get ready for the conference season.

6. Auburn: This team just doesn't know how to lose. Auburn (2-0) has won a nation-leading 17 straight games -- 10 by eight points or fewer. The Tigers kept that winning streak intact after a back-and-forth slugfest with Mississippi State Saturday. The defense still has a lot of question marks, but when a play had to be made, the Tigers did it. The offense isn't too exciting, but plays were made at critical times and Michael Dyer looked like his running legs were back as he made the Bulldogs' defense look silly. Will taking it down to the wire eventually catch up with these cats?

7. Tennessee: Well, we know the Volunteers (2-0) will keep the scoreboard lights on. Quarterback Tyler Bray has looked like the league's best quarterback through the first two weeks, passing for 678 yards and seven touchdowns. Receivers Da'Rick Rogers and Justin Hunter have made things easy for Bray, combining for 31 catches for 502 yards and five touchdowns. The Vols' offense will get a major test in Gainesville this weekend, where the winner will become top contender to challenge South Carolina for the division.

8. Mississippi State: The Bulldogs (1-1) came into the season as a trendy dark horse pick in the West, but left the weekend with yet another loss to the West under Dan Mullen. Mississippi State's defense showed it misses defense coordinator Manny Diaz and its three starting linebackers from last year as Auburn carved up the defense for 235 rushing yards. Chris Relf was most of the offense for the Bulldogs Saturday, until running back Vick Ballard finally got things going late, but Mississippi State needs much more from its receiving corps.

9. Georgia: This group of Bulldogs (0-2) has had a rough start to the season, but things get a little lighter from here on out. After losing a tough one in the Georgia Dome to Boise State, Georgia dropped a heart-breaker to South Carolina at home. Fans are no doubt growing more impatient, but the Bulldogs aren't out of the East race by any means. It will be a fight to get ahead now, but the season is far from over. It's all about staying together and making sure the Bulldogs are mentally ready for the rest of the season.

10. Vanderbilt: Getting that win over Connecticut Saturday was huge. The confidence is through the roof in Nashville and the Commodores (2-0) have a two-game winning streak for the first time since 2008. New coach James Franklin injected some swagger into this Commodores team and it showed when Vandy was down 21-14 in the fourth and scored 10 unanswered points. This defense is flying around and has been much more aggressive under defensive coordinator Bob Shoop.

11. Ole Miss: The Rebels (1-1) got into the win column over the weekend, but the offense still has a ton of question marks around it. Jeff Scott showed that he is a solid option at running back with Brandon Bolden and Enrique Davis out with injuries, but he looked like the only consistent weapon Ole Miss has on offense. The defense, which played very well against BYU in the first week, made things interesting against Southern Illinois by giving up 21 points in the second half.

12. Kentucky: The Wildcats (2-0) might be undefeated, but the offense is still struggling, especially in the passing game. Morgan Newton has been a starter before, but he hasn't looked very comfortable out there on the field yet. He has just 211 yards passing, two touchdowns and four interceptions in two games this year. Someone needs to step up alongside La'Rod King in the receiving game to give Newton some help. Two bright spots have been a faster, more effective defense and the play of freshman running back Josh Clemons, who has 165 rushing yards and two scores this year.

We get some real live football tonight. Both Kentucky and Mississippi State open their seasons away from home. Here are some links to tide you over:

• LSU coach Les Miles is sticking with his suspension of Jordan Jefferson and says he'll let the legal process run its course.
• Tennessee's freshman linebackers are showing a steady demeanor.
• Defensive lineman Darius Philon of Mobile, Ala., commits to Alabama. Philon had previously committed to Auburn in May.
• Alabama freshman receiver Danny Woodson has enrolled in school and will join the team this season.
• Georgia center Ben Jones thinks the Bulldogs have a little more power up front this season in their offensive line.
• Youth will be served, but Kentucky needs time to grow, writes John Clay of The Lexington Herald-Leader.
• Mississippi State rids itself of the "I can't" mentality and begins its quest for a championship.
• Arkansas is getting antsy for the opener and is "ready to hit some people."
• Florida defensive coordinator Dan Quinn wants to see his "physical and fast" defense do it in the games.
• South Carolina freshman offensive tackle Brandon Shell is making strides.
• Auburn's Blake Burgess won't start, but he'll be plenty busy up front for the Tigers.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Florida defensive players sure don't mind the fact their head coach comes from a defensive background.

Will Muschamp came to Florida after serving as the defensive coordinator at Texas the past three seasons, and he plans to coach the Gators' safeties this season.

Dan Quinn, a veteran defensive line coach in the NFL, will be the Gators' defensive coordinator.

But much like Muschamp's former boss, Alabama's Nick Saban, Muschamp's handprints are always going to be on the defense to some degree.

Sophomore linebacker Jelani Jenkins loves this staff's approach to defense.

"They're going to give us a lot of chances to blitz, but we're also going to disguise," said Jenkins, who's working at weakside linebacker. "We have a lot of talent, and we're going to use that athletic ability.

"We play fast, and we have a lot of fast play calls. That's the way Coach Muschamp wants to play, the way Coach Quinn wants to play, and it's the way we want to play."

Though bothered by an injury and kept out of spring practice because of ankle surgery, our next player is a giant from the Sunshine State:

No. 24: Jaye Howard, DT, Florida

2010 Numbers: Howard started eight of the 11 games he played in, but was bothered by an ankle injury during the latter part of the season. Howard recorded 29 tackles, including 12 for loss, and three sacks in 2010.

Most recent ranking: Not ranked in the 2011 postseason countdown.

Making the case for Howard: Howard arrived at Florida as a defensive end, but kept growing and moved inside. Even at 6-foot-3, 302 pounds, Howard still has the speed and athleticism to move around the defensive line, especially when Florida moves into the 3-4. Howard, who has played in 31 career games, possesses great size and strength in the middle. While he missed spring practice to have ankle surgery, Florida's coaches are excited to see him work in Dan Quinn's new defensive scheme. When Howard plays to his potential, he's one of the toughest linemen to block, and though he didn't have eye-popping stats last season, he enters 2011 as one of the top interior defensive linemen prospects in next year's NFL draft. He was very disruptive at times when he was healthy last season.

We thought ranking the running backs was hard -- then the linebackers came along.

It shouldn't come as much of a shock that we had trouble getting our rankings in order with all of the talent out there in the SEC, but it's pretty hard to go wrong with this list.

Here's what we came up with:

1. Dont'a Hightower, Alabama, Jr.: He was never truly 100 percent last season after that devastating knee injury in 2009. However, the pain is finally gone and Hightower is looking to really take off in 2011. When he’s healthy, he’s as exciting to watch as any linebacker out there. He'll start in the middle, but moves outside the "Jack" position and plays in different spots on passing downs. Even though he was hobbled last year, he was second on the team with 69 tackles.

2. Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, Sr.: Upshaw is back to full health after dealing with a nagging ankle injury in 2010. This spring, he was flying around practice and should be one of the top pass-rushers on the outside. He's another one of those Jacks who might start on the outside, but Upshaw will make plays all over the field this fall. He ended last season with some mighty playing momentum, registering five sacks in the final two games.

3. Jerry Franklin, Arkansas, Sr.: Franklin has been an absolute beast for the Razorbacks. He’s lead Arkansas in tackles the last three seasons, and there’s no reason for us not to think he won’t do it again. Franklin is also pretty quick on his feet and has a nose for the ball. He has five career interceptions and five forced fumbles.

4. Danny Trevathan, Kentucky, Sr.: Talk about being the hardest working man on the field. Trevathan led the SEC with 144 tackles a year ago and was third with 16 of them behind the line of scrimmage. He’s Kentucky’s most trusted defender and was the first Kentucky linebacker to ever earn any sort of All-America first-team honors.

5. Chris Marve, Vanderbilt, Sr.: Marve is arguably Vanderbilt’s best overall player. If not for a knee injury that cost him one game in 2011, Marve might have made it three straight years with 100 or more tackles. He played the entire last season in some sort of pain and was still able to cover a lot of ground over the middle of the field.

6. Ryan Baker, LSU, Sr.: One thing that makes Baker so imposing against offenses is his speed. He has tremendous closing speed and his play could be the key to the functionality of LSU’s young but very athletic defense. Kelvin Sheppard is gone, so the defense will be leaning on Baker for not only his play but his leadership skills. Baker had 87 tackles last year and led the team with seven sacks.

7. Jelani Jenkins, Florida, So.: Jenkins developed as last season went on, but he was inconsistent at times. He showed he’s got wheels and somehow found the ball a ton, finishing second on the team with 76 tackles. Jenkins really took to Dan Quinn’s multiple defense this spring and will be called on to be one of the voices on defense. He’ll line up outside in the 4-3 and will be inside when Florida is in the 3-4.

8. Ronald Powell, Florida, So.: Powell could have made this list as a defensive end, but with him playing the hybrid Buck and primarily playing linebacker last year, we stuck him here. After struggling through his first year, Powell was a changed man this spring and from all accounts finally looked like what the No. 1 high school prospect should look like. The defensive staff has complete trust in Powell and with his freakish athleticism and ability, he immediately becomes Florida’s top pass-rusher.

9. DeVonte Holloman, South Carolina, Jr.: Holloman made the switch form safety and will now be the Gamecocks’ hybrid linebacker known as the Spur. With defensive back speed and weighing 230 pounds, he should be just fine at his new position. The question is whether the staff will keep him there. The strong safety spot was never filled this spring, so Holloman could move back. As long as he’s here, he’s going to add a quality roving weapon to the Gamecocks' defense.

10. Jarvis Jones, Georgia, So.: He finally gets on the field after sitting out a year because of his transfer from USC. He’ll line up on the weak side, so he’s not exactly Justin Houston, but the coaches at Georgia think he might be a more complete player at linebacker. He can rush the passer and stop the run. Jones should have a big year in his new conference.