Two of Florida’s defining losses in the 2015 season came at the hands of annual opponents LSU and FSU.

After dropping the Week 7 contest at LSU 35-28, the Gators had two weeks to regroup and focus on a virtual SEC East title game against Georgia. Coach Jim McElwain’s squad got back to its winning ways, delivering an impressive 27-3 win to clear the path to Atlanta.

“If you lose (to LSU), it’s definitely something that makes you want to go out and win your next one and you saw what we did to Georgia after it,” LB Jarrad Davis said at SEC Media Days.

Florida’s next loss came in Week 13 to rival FSU. The Seminoles thumped the Gators 27-2, but this time there was no bounce back. UF dropped the SEC Championship Game 29-15 against Alabama, and were embarrassed by Michigan in a 41-7 Citrus Bowl blowout.

“Losing the last few games are a constant reminder for the offseason of what we need to do, what we need to accomplish and where we need to go as a unit. It shows our true colors from last year and how we react to a situation,” Davis said.

The first time the Gators’ reaction will be put to the test in 2016 will be Oct. 1 when Florida plays at Vanderbilt. While the matchup with the Commodores is hardly a marquee SEC showdown, Florida’s performance will say a lot about the team’s leadership.

Florida plays at Tennessee the Saturday before facing Vanderbilt. It would be easy for the Gators to stay stuck in Week 4 as they prepare for VU. If they beat the Volunteers –  in what would currently be considered an upset – the media will start to look at them as the new favorite in the SEC East and a potential playoff team. If they lose, the team will be in an unfamiliar position, which could lead to a lack of focus for the next contest.

During SEC Media Days, ESPN analyst Greg McElroy was quick to point to the nail-biter between the Gators and Commodores last season (9-7) when looking over Florida’s 2016 schedule.

“Circle the (Tennessee game) all you want; I’m circling the one on October 1st (Vanderbilt),” McElroy said. “Because if they do in fact beat Tennessee … what did they look like against Vanderbilt last year? It came down to a last-second field goal attempt.”

In the words of Davis, Florida’s “true colors” could be revealed on Oct. 1.