In the middle of an ugly two-game skid, Florida enters the Citrus Bowl against Michigan as a four-point underdog.

Being slept on is nothing new to the Gators, who were picked to finish fifth in the SEC East this year, with many analysts centering on a 7-5 regular season prediction. Of course, Florida blew that prediction out of the water, winning 10 games and the SEC East.

So you'll forgive the Gators if they thought they were past the point of people doubting them.

But that's where they're at after watching Florida's offense implode over the second half of the season following Will Grier's suspension for failing an NCAA drug test. Without the right trigger man, things have been downright painful to watch.

It has put Florida right back into that all-too-familiar position.

"We need to prove stuff to other people because a lot of people don’t expect us to win this game, which is unfortunate because we’re SEC East champs and we play in the best conference in the nation," offensive lineman Trip Thurman said. "For people not to pick us to win this game is ridiculous, but I can understand with the way we’ve played offensively the past two games."

It's impossible to blame anyone for picking against Florida, really. With four players entering the NFL Draft early, a few more considering the jump, news of Grier's transfer from the program, three suspensions and a handful of other distractions since the SEC Championship Game, it's reasonable to wonder how focused the Gators will be in Orlando.

The 2012 season wasn't that long ago, and it had a similar feel. The team showed up flat and was blown out by Louisville in the Sugar Bowl after a better-than-expected season.

The Gators are out to avoid the same fate this season.

They know there's a lot on the line.

"It’s not just a big game for coach (Jim McElwain), it’s a big game for the Florida Gators," Thurman said. "We want to finish this 10-win season with a win. Our last two games are unacceptable with how we’ve played on offense and we want to show the nation, the country, and [future recruits], we’re going to win this game and show what the Florida Gators are about."

To do that, they'll have to get more out of the offense and Harris.

But they'll also need to find the same kind of focus and motivation that made such a stellar season possible in the first place. Junior linebacker Jarrad Davis explained the key that helped lead to the turnaround.

"We did a great job this year of taking ownership," Davis said. "We knew what we had. We knew how good we were. We just made sure that every time we stepped out on the field, we owned it."

That's something McElwain hopes to see despite wanting his players to enjoy the fruits of their labor. And there will certainly be plenty of chances to do so, with fine dining, trips to the Disney parks and several other perks on tap in Orlando.

"They deserve it because they've done a heck of a job for us out here, but what we try to do is understand, 'Look, we're here to win a ballgame. We're aren't here to just go on rides,'" he said.

The Gators need their leaders to step up once again. Not only that, but they need the leaders for the future to emerge.

A lot of young players have a chance to take a major step forward, and Florida can blend the present and the future with a strong showing in the bowl.

"They’re two very good teams and I know a lot of people are excited to see us play," Davis said. "I feel like if we beat them, we can prove to the world who we are."

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