Gator Nation has been through its share of ups and downs. Losing by three touchdowns on homecoming to unranked Missouri is undoubtedly a down.

Fans have plenty to criticise on message boards and social media when it comes to coaching and performance. Gator great and SEC Network analyst Chris Doering thought it was an important time to remind Florida fans of the positives in Mullen’s first season.

“The fact that Dan Mullen had this @GatorsFB ranked in the top 10 this season is a testament to the job he and his staff have done in year 1,” Doering wrote in a tweet. “He’s been able to overcome the flaws, limitations in personnel and lack of depth at key positions with some nice scheming and play calling.”

In preseason, most Florida fans probably would have been content with a 6-3 record after nine games, but back-to-back lopsided losses has a way of testing any fan base’s patience.

Florida will look to end conference play a high note at home Saturday against Will Muschamp’s South Carolina Gamecocks, a game set for Noon ET on ESPN.