For Florida’s defense, the only thing different about the turnover battle is the result.
In 2011, the Gators’ minus-12 turnover margin ranked No. 113 nationally. This year Florida ranks No. 14 with a plus-seven.
“Guys are trying extra hard, I guess,” defensive tackle Omar Hunter said.
Few other explanations capture why UF has made such a significant turnaround.
Coach Will Muschamp and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn stressed forcing turnovers throughout 2011, and that emphasis didn’t change in 2012.
“We’ve tried to emphasize it everywhere I’ve been,” Muschamp said. “We certainly didn’t do a good job last year. … We talk about it every day, with the importance of ball security offensively and getting the ball out on defense.”
After notching just 14 takeaways last season, UF’s defense has forced 11 through only six games this year.
“We practice every day on creating turnovers,” Hunter said. “It’s just carrying over to the game.”
Linebacker Jon Bostic said the Gators’ defense is drilled to go after the ball whenever it is in the air. Florida’s defense is also trained that the first player to reach a ball carrier wraps him up, while the other 10 focus on stripping the ball away.
Florida’s offense has been a factor in the turnaround, Bostic said. The Gators have turned the ball over only four times this season, tied for fifth nationally. UF’s power running attack has been able to put points on the board. When opponents play from behind, Florida’s defense has more turnover opportunities.
“Offenses are playing a lot more aggressive than they were last year on us,” Bostic said. “They have to put the ball in the air and do a lot of different things to win games. It all kind of plays together.”
Injury update: Muschamp said Jelani Jenkins (left hamstring), Xavier Nixon (upper body), Dominique Easley (left knee), Jonotthan Harrison (right arm) and James Wilson (eye) are all "probable at the worst" for Saturday's game against South Carolina (3:30 p.m., CBS).
Latroy Pittman (ankle) is questionable.
Cody Riggs (broken right foot) will miss his fifth consecutive game. Matt Patchan (strained pectoral) will miss his seventh straight game.
Muschamp said both Patchan and Riggs could be back next week.
ESPN in town: ESPN will broadcast College GameDay from Gainesville on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m., the network announced Sunday. Florida's upcoming appearance on the show will be its 35th — the most of any school.
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