Dan Mullen’s biggest test yet at Florida will also be a homecoming of sorts.

At 6 p.m. Saturday, Mullen will take his Gators (3-1, 1-1 SEC) into Starkville to face No. 23 Mississippi State (3-1, 0-1), the program he coached for the past nine seasons.

That was a big topic of discussion during his appearance on Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference. Here’s what Mullen had to say about his return to Starkville, among other things:

How are your emotions on your return to Starkville?

  • I expect to go into a tough environment against one of the best teams out there. But for me, my focus is on the game and making sure our team is ready to execute. That’s my main focus, the game.

On MSU’s cowbells, are you used to that?

  • (It) won’t have much affect on me; I’m used to that. I think the cowbells are one of the best traditions in college football.

How big of a step was last weekend to becoming a more complete team?

  • I think it was more about confidence; about playing on the road and making big plays. To me, being a complete team (is) not just one that makes big plays, but is a team that can consistently play at a high level.

On 3rd quarter woes vs. Tennessee:

  • It’s mental focus. We came out focused, there was a turnover, we scored and we were up 30, but we have to keep our mental focus. That’s something we have to continue to work on.

On Mississippi State’s defense from 2017 to 2018:

  • They have all these returning starters. I don’t know if there’s a defense in the country that returned this much experience. … The style of defense, I spent nine years trying to make sure that 11 guys ran to the ball and played with relentlessness. … That physicality doesn’t come out of you when the defense changes. … They have a lot of talent and they run to the ball and they are physical when they get there.

On one or two guys that may have progressed since last year on defense:

  • No, I just know the guys so I know. Brian Cole, he had a redshirt last year, but I knew he was a special player. I don’t know if there’s anyone that stands out more than I thought they were. Fans may not have seen them play, but I knew the players there were and the depth in that roster.

Do you regret keeping the cowbells?

  • No, the traditions are what makes college football special. Last week it was Rocky Top, this week it will be cowbells. … We have a sold-out crowd in The Swamp here. The traditions make college football unique.

On the new redshirt rule leading to a bunch of transfers:

  • I think a disgruntled player is going to transfer either way. The four-game rule, you may see one or two of those, but it is such a big positive on guys’ careers. … I don’t think it has a huge effect on it.”