Florida football: Gators’ defense ranks among the best in the country

Florida football has made it clear that, even though it’s only been two games, they have made some significant improvements from last season’s team.

While there are a couple of things that we can point at that have gotten better, there’s none more obvious, nor more important, than the jump that the defense has made from last season.

Austin Armstrong came in with lots of buzz and hype, promising a more aggressive and more effective defensive unit.

Through the Gators’ first two games, that has looked to be the case, as the Gators rank right near the top of the country in total defense.

Florida football: “No more my bads”

Austin Armstrong isn’t the type of defensive coordinator to listen to excuses or reasons why a play didn’t get made.

He’s constantly preaching communication on the field that will lead to execution. At halftime of the McNeese State game in a video released by the Gators, he told the team “No more my bads”.

That intensity and philosophy seem to have paid off for the Gators so far.

Florida ranks seventh in the country in third-down conversion percentage allowed at 21.7%, which is a major upgrade from last season with Patrick Toney in charge.

They also rank second in the country in total first downs allowed, only letting the chains move 19 times so far through two games.

The secondary is holding up their end of the deal, only letting up 115.5 passing yards per game which is good enough to be eighth in the country.

All of this accumulated to the Gators being third in the country in total defense, allowing just 4.11 yards per play and 191 yards per game.

Now you may want to say “Well they have a game against McNeese State mixed in there”. Yeah, every team in the country has played a team like that. The Gators are just taking care of business better than the rest.

Armstrong’s defensive unit is going to continue to be crucial for Florida’s success as the season goes on and could swing a couple of close games in their favor.