Gators' defense unproven just yet

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida middle linebacker Brandon Spikes was bragging about the play of his defensive tackles when he caught himself in mid-compliment."I don't want to go overboard yet," Spikes said. "We're fixing to play Tennessee."That's not just Spikes talking. That's the consensus of the Florida defense.In victories over Hawaii and Miami, the defense bore little resemblance to the bunch that was victimized so often last season. But while the Gators (2-0) are more experienced and confident, they know they will be measured by their Southeastern Conference competition, starting with Saturday's game at Neyland Stadium.Coach Urban Meyer knows that, too."Our defense is getting off the field (faster)," he said. "I'm seeing piles get knocked back. I feel better about our defense, but this will be our biggest challenge so far. Our guys know that. If they run the ball all over us, we won't win the game."Meyer's reference to run defense stems from last year's struggles when No. 4 Florida couldn't stop teams like LSU and Auburn on crucial short-yardage plays in two close losses.Florida has given up only 60.5 yards rushing per game in its first two games. It hasn't allowed a rushing touchdown.But that was against pass-oriented Hawaii, and a Miami team that lost its best running back to injury and was playing a couple of freshman quarterbacks.The Vols (1-1) seemingly have the personnel to challenge Florida's front seven. They have an experienced offensive line, and a couple of proven runners in preseason All-SEC pick Arian Foster and Montario Hardesty.Nothing Florida did in its first two games should deter Tennessee from attempting to run the football. And running the football is as crucial to its defense as its offense.The Vols can't expect to beat Florida in a fast-break game. The best way to slow Florida's offense is to keep it off the field.That strategy isn't lost on the Gators."That's their deal," Spikes said. "They're gonna run. You've got to stop it. If you can't stop it, you're going to have a long day."Spikes, a 6-3, 245-pound junior, is well established as a run stopper. But he needs more help than he got last year when Florida too often was sabotaged by inconsistent tackle play.Florida seemingly has improved in that area, thanks, in part, to the play of tackle Lawrence Marsh, a converted defensive end.Marsh, a 6-5, 290-pound sophomore, still has the lean look of a defensive end. But he welcomed the position switch."Everybody was telling me I've got the size and speed, that I needed to get on the field," he said. "As soon as we came back from the bowl game (a 41-35 loss to Michigan in Capital One Bowl), I was trying to become the player they wanted me to be."The transformation is startling to Spikes."He's a different player from freshman to sophomore," Spikes said of Marsh. "He has taken off."Terron Sanders (another sophomore tackle) is doing the same thing. I don't know what it was. I tried to stay on them during the off-season. I guess that's what pushed them over the edge."That's when Spikes caught himself and put the rest of his compliments on hold.His defense has proved it could stop Hawaii and Miami. It hasn't proved anything in the SEC.(Contact John Adams at adamsj@knoxnews.com.)(John Adams is sports editor of The Knoxville News Sentinel in Tennessee.)