Florida's Defense Can Keep the Gators in the SEC East Discussion

For the most part, Florida has been the punch line to a really sad joke over the last two seasons, as former head coach Will Muschamp struggled to keep the program relevant in the down SEC East.

Despite that, the Gators stayed in the division title conversation into November of last year after their surprising 38-20 upset of Georgia in the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party."

For a team that struggled mightily offensively, managing just 367.6 yards per game (12th in the SEC) and 179.9 passing yards per game (12th in the SEC), being in the discussion in November was a minor miracle—and perhaps an indictment of the division.

Can that happen again?

Muschamp was shown the door, and new head coach Jim McElwain—an offensive-minded coach—brought in former Mississippi State defensive coordinator Geoff Collins to run the defense.

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Don't expect much of a change.

"There's a lot of similarity, a lot of same language, and I think that that's really important as we go," McElwain said at SEC media days earlier this month. "I just love his energy every day, and the way his teams have played, that speaks for itself."

Collins ran primarily a 4-3 at Mississippi State, where his situational defense was stellar. The Bulldogs led the conference last year in red-zone scoring defense (63.64 percent) and finished third in third-down defense (34.95 percent). 

He inherits a program that was more of a 3-4 multiple scheme under Muschamp and known for attacking the quarterback. Collins might implement more 4-3 looks than Muschamp did, but the goal will be the same.

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In fact, it's going to be even more aggressive thanks to a trustworthy secondary led by All-American corner Vernon Hargreaves III, fellow corner Jalen Tabor, safety Keanu Neal and the rest of the talented group in the back end.

"It's going to give us a chance to do some stuff that's out of the ordinary for us," said defensive end Jonathan Bullard. "You know, take a few more shots. When you have guys behind you like Hargreaves, you're not really worried about it. All of our defensive backs there are really good, so it's important for our young guys to know exactly what they're doing. I'll probably take a few more shots."

With Bullard, Bryan Cox Jr., Taven Bryan, Jarrad Davis, Antonio Morrison, Alex Anzalone and a loaded front seven, the Gators will still bring the same aggressiveness that helped keep them in games even during the down times.

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That will allow the offense a little more of a cushion adjusting to McElwain, offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier and perhaps new pro-style starting quarterback Will Grier—assuming he beats out dual-threat returning starter Treon Harris.

Sure, the offensive line will be an issue despite McElwain welcoming two new transfers who are eligible immediately, including two-time FCS All-American Mason Halter (Fordham). That, plus the transition to a new scheme and perhaps a new quarterback, will prevent the level of consistency needed to truly contend.

But with seven starters returning, the defense will at least give the Gators a shot.

"We're going to have to lean on [veterans] as we introduce some of these younger guys, and yet it's up to the offense to kind of take some of the heat off of them as well," McElwain said. "It goes hand in hand."

Plus, look around. It's not like other division foes are absent of holes. Defending division champ Missouri has no proven wide receivers and a defensive line that's very much a question mark, Georgia has a brand-new defensive line and an offense that is a big unknown behind running back Nick Chubb, and Tennessee's offensive line is experienced yet inconsistent.

Florida likely won't win the division, but the defense will at least keep the Gators in games and in the conversation.

The foundation of the Gators has been defense for the last half-decade. Even though McElwain's track record is as a successful offensive coach, the identity of the Gators will remain.

"As far as the defense taking a step back, that's not going to happen," Bullard said. "We're not going to allow that to happen."

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and college football video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on Sirius 93, XM 208.

Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.