TAMPA — When Austin Appleby leads the Florida Gators offense out on to the field this Saturday it might feel a lot like practice. Appleby has had to face the Florida defense (ranked sixth in the country) every day in practice and the Iowa Hawkeyes’ defense is built very similarly.
The Hawkeyes and Gators are tied for ninth in the country in terms of scoring defense (17.9 ppg). They’re also 25th in total defense (352.8). They have a Thorpe Award winner in Desmond King. Linebacker Josey Jewell was a Butkus Award finalist and defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson leads the team with 7.