Gators defense not upset at lagging offense

In Will Muschamp's second year in Gainesville, the long-time defensive coordinator has turned the defense into a championship-caliber outfit.

The offense, however, remains far removed from the heady days of Tim Tebow and Urban Meyer.

The good news for Gator fans, in the aftermath of a loss to Georgia that may have ended their chances of reaching the SEC Championship Game, is that the team has remained united, even though anyone can see that the offense has been holding them back.

At least, that's what defensive coordinator Dan Quinn told reporters on Wednesday (courtesy of the Gainesville Sun):

"I think that's one of the things you notice," Quinn said. "People ask me a lot of times, ‘What's kind of different from last year to this year?' One of the first things I usually say is our team is pretty well connected. That being in the locker room, you can tell the players are really for each other.

"I think when you have a team that's like that, connected both offensively and defensively, you are basically saying to the other guy, ‘I'm in here with you. I'll do it.'

But while Florida no longer has control of their own destiny in the SEC East, they still have a lot to play for in 2012, including a possible 11-1 regular season, berth in a BCS game and a gigantic road showdown with arch-rival Florida State

And if the Gators offense plays as ineptly in Tallahassee as they did in Jacksonville, their new-found unity may be sorely tested.