JONATHAN GREENARD

This much is clear: Florida will rely on a number of newcomers — some transfers, some freshmen — as it tries to dethrone rival Georgia in the Southeastern Conference’s East Division. The NCAA denied his waiver request to play right away, so he ended up sitting out last season under transfer rules. “He hasn’t played in live game situations or live football situations where people are coming, running at you to try to block the kick,” Mullen said. Dexter visited only one school — Florida — before signing day. DEREK WINGOAfter losing leading tackler David Reese, who led the team with 94 stops last season, the Gators have concerns at linebacker.

It also could be Mullen taking over-the-top precaution as the eighth-ranked Gators get ready to begin a championship-or-bust season. We have the potential to go compete for a championship and be a championship team, said Mullen, who is 21-5 in two seasons in Gainesville. But I think we have that potential, which is really good and its really exciting. Florida won 10 games in Mullens first season and 11 in Year 2. This season, Wilson has All-SEC potential and fellow cornerback Kaiir Elam is considered a rising star after a breakout freshman year.

10 Gators beat seventh-ranked Auburn 24-13 in the Swamp on Saturday. It gave the Gators (6-0, 3-0 Southeastern Conference) extra breathing room in a game they never trailed. Nix completed 11 of 27 passes for 145 yards for Auburn (5-1, 2-1), with a touchdown and three interceptions. He was seemingly knocked out of the game in the second quarter when Auburn star Derrick Brown landed on his left leg. Florida: The Gators have a defense capable of winning a championship.