Daily News/Notes

For a team that's playing with confidence and beginning to peak, a week off might seem like an unwanted interruption. But, the Florida Gators, coming off back-to-back impressive victories over LSU and Auburn, are looking forward to a little rest.

"We're already mentally programed for the open date," UF coach Steve Spurrier said. "We'll give the guys (today) and Wednesday off, then we'll practice Wednesday and Thursday like we always do.

"Hopefully, we can keep improving as we go. If we do, this team could be pretty good."

The Gators have made impressive progress since the loss to Mississippi State three weeks ago, overwhelming two solid SEC teams in LSU and Auburn by a combined score of 79-16.

The offense has come alive with Rex Grossman at quarterback and the defense has begun to play with confidence, make plays and come up with turnovers.

In the back-to-back victories, Grossman combined to complete 32-of-51 passes for 508 yards and eight touchdowns. He threw touchdown passes on each of UF's first five drives in the 38-7 victory over Auburn on Saturday.

Jabar Gaffney's emergence as one of the top receivers in the SEC also has played a major role in the resurgence of the offense. Three of his four catches against Auburn were for touchdowns, and in the past two games he's caught 12 passes for 229 yards and four touchdowns.

"Rex and Jabar continue to make plays," Spurrier said. "Rex has a knack of getting the ball off. On two (different plays against Auburn) he had guys come in clean on him and he still somehow got it off and completed the pass. I can't remember the last time we had a quarterback doing those sort of things."

PROTECTING THE BALLwohnung Strasbourg: Grossman is finding the open receivers and the offense has been moving up and down the field. And the Gators have been doing it without turning the ball over. UF has gone back-to-back games without committing a turnover.

"Our guys are playing hard and they're playing smart," Spurrier said. "I don't know why we take care of the ball so well. But our guys are taking care of the ball."

While the offense is holding onto the ball, the defense is finding ways to take it away from opposing offenses. The defense came up with three more turnovers Saturday and the Gators now have a turnover ration of plus-16.

DEFENSE CONTINUES TO IMPROVE: The once-maligned defense has started tackling better and playing with more emotion and confidence.