Florida football: 5 takeaways from the Gators win at South Carolina

5. The defense needs to get healthy

I know I just got done talking up the defense, but it was against South Carolina, in the rain.

To go up against Georgia and Missouri (heck, even Vanderbilt for that matter), our defense has to be healthy.

The bye week couldn’t come at a better time.

This means Zuniga and Greenard have more time to rest up and, hopefully, get over their ankle injuries.

They are going to be needed to stop Georgia’s running game — D’Andre Swift had 179 yards against Kentucky in the 21-0 win Saturday — and Vanderbilt’s KeShawn Vaughn, who had 96 yards against Missouri in the Commodores’ upset win.

Let’s not forget about dual-threat Kelly Bryant at Missouri.

The key here is that Florida will need both Zuniga and Greenard healthy to rush the edge and provide a solid pass rush.

Despite Jeremiah Moon’s best efforts Saturday, the Florida football defense was barely able to blitz Hilinski and South Carolina.