It's going to take a lot to slow down a UF offense that has scored 243 points its past five games.
That's where South Carolina's top-ranked Southeastern Conference defense comes in. Even though the Gators' haven't had any issues scoring, they're looking at film and being impressed by the Gamecocks' defense.
"The good thing is, when you watch South Carolina on film, it gets your attention real fast," Coach Urban Meyer said. "They're the number one defense in the league. We don't have time to mess around."
South Carolina allows a league-low 256.5 yards per game.
"Their linebackers…270 (pounds), 260. Then they have that 300-pound inside guy," Meyer said. "This is the most difficult week we've had getting ready."
Meyer said the difference with the Gamecocks' defense is that they are "multiple" - meaning they get a lot of pressure - and they are also "sound." Other conference defenses, according to Meyer, have only had the "multiple" factor.
"When they fire a zone, they're very well disciplined in their coverage," Meyer said. "That's hard to be with as many blitzes as they run."
COMPARISONS: As the Gators locked up their berth in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game and a possible berth in the national championship game, Meyer is being asked to compare his current team to the 2006 team that won the national championship and his 2004 Utah team that went undefeated.
Meyer isn't ready to say this incarnation of the Gators can match his previous teams, though.
"I haven't had time to reflect on that," Meyer said. "This is a very talented team but (comparisons) with the 2006 team and the 2004 team, I can't answer that."
INJURY UPDATE: Redshirt sophomore guard Carl Johnson participated in all of practice except the scrimmage portion (where the offense and defense go against each other) after sustaining an MCL sprain in his knee against Vanderbilt.
Meyer said Johnson should be "game ready" for Saturday's matchup against South Carolina. Johnson has started the last five games for UF as senior Jim Tartt has still been recovering from shoulder surgery.
