What will it take on defense for the Gators to beat the Dawgs?

Florida and Georgia face off in a huge matchup this Saturday to decide who is the king of the SEC East. Here are three key defensive points.

It’s been apparent from the season opener what Florida’s limiting factor would be in 2020: its defense.

The unit was solid in the first two seasons under Dan Mullen — perhaps not as elite as those under Jim McElwain and Will Muschamp, but sufficient given the improvements made on the offensive side.

So far this season, though, it’s been far from sufficient. The Gators allowed over 500 yards in two of its first three games, giving inferior teams the opportunity to hang around late and even costing it a loss against Texas A&M.

But UF’s defense looked much stronger last week against Missouri, allowing just 248 yards. It will hope that those improvements are sustainable as it heads into its most important game of the season against Georgia, a contest that will likely decide the SEC East.

Here are three keys to the game on defense of Florida’s going to pull off the win.