Certainly Tuberville is craving a victory this weekend - another loss eliminates Auburn from the national championship picture - but the coach seemed less concerned about the Gators and more concerned about his team improving.

"The main thing right now we've got to worry about is get better and give ourselves an opportunity," Tuberville said. "Last week we didn't give ourselves an opportunity. This week we're going to have to play a lot better."

In last week's loss to Arkansas, Auburn allowed a whopping 279 rushing yards.

"To stop the run, there's no secret to that. You've got to be physical, but you've also got to be patient, and you have to be fundamentally sound," Tuberville said. "There were times last week when actually we were too fast."

Tuberville meant that his defense overran a lot of plays last weekend. Obviously, Auburn's chances of beating the Gators are slim if they allow that type of running game. But UF's offense presents so many challenges. Tuberville said the Gators have run 147 formations this season, a staggering number and a difficult task for the Auburn defense.

"You throw the motions in, the different personnel," he said. "One time they might come in with five wide receivers. Next time, two tight ends, two backs. Urban Meyer has done a good job of putting a lot of imagination in it.

"We did put most of our emphasis on Chris Leak because he is their guy. He's the guy that's going to move them up and down the field."

The game won't be played entirely on defense, of course. The Auburn offense has struggled recently in big games, scoring just 10 points against Arkansas and only seven against LSU in a narrow victory several weeks ago. One solution for Tuberville is getting the ball to Brad Lester more often, either by lining him up in the backfield or at receiver.

But it's hard to run an offense when your quarterback is on the ground. This year, the Tigers are starting two new offensive tackles. The result has been 18 sacks allowed in six games. Tuberville has another explanation for the sacks.

"In past years, if you've noticed, (quarterback Brandon Cox) would throw that thing out of bounds quick," he said. "I mean he'd get it gone and wouldn't take the sack. Now I think even he is trying to make plays more than he should."

Florida's defense has recorded 14 sacks this season, so the game may very well be won or lost at the line of scrimmage.

Bottom line, I got the sense today while listening to Tuberville that he feels his team will win if it plays its best football. Avoid long third downs. Protect the quarterback. Get off to a fast start.

"We have yet to start out fast," Tuberville said. "We did some things in practice this week to try to kick start this thing off."

Auburn must get the crowd into the game, something the Tigers failed to do last week. And of course, stop the run. Stop the run. Stop the run.

Oh and if you're a Tigers fan, Coach Tuberville has a message for you.

"Be there in orange. Be there early. Be loud. Hopefully this week we'll give you something to yell about."

War Eagle.