No. 13 Florida counting on improved defense in opener vs FAU

FILE - In this March 16, 2018, file photo, Florida defensive coordinator Todd Grantham works with some of the defense during NCAA college football practice in Gainesville, Fla. The 13th-ranked Gators get a chance to show how much they’ve improved. Florida opens the season Saturday night against Florida Atlantic. (Brad McClenny/Ocala Star-Banner via AP)

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2019, file photo, Miami quarterback N'Kosi Perry looks up from the sidelines before the start of an NCAA college football game against Louisville in Miami Gardens, Fla. Florida Atlantic is entering their second year under ex-Florida State coach Willie Taggart and first with Miami graduate transfer N’Kosi Perry at quarterback. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

FILE- In this Dec. 5, 2020, file photo, Florida head coach Dan Mullen looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn. The 13th-ranked Gators get a chance to show how much they’ve improved. Florida opens the season Saturday night against Florida Atlantic. (Randy Sartin/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, Pool)

FILE - In this Nov. 20, 2020, file photo, Florida Atlantic head coach Willie Taggart looks on during an NCAA football game against the Massachusetts in Boca Raton, Fla. The Owls are entering their second year under ex-Florida State coach Willie Taggart and first with Miami graduate transfer N’Kosi Perry at quarterback. (AP Photo/Michael Reaves, File)