Florida Gators coach, Will Muschamp, insists his team are not “that far off” despite a first-ever loss to a Football Championship Subdivision school last Saturday.

The shock 26-20 defeat in the Unibet betting odds to Georgia Southern was UF’s sixth in a row and took them to 4-7 for the season.

Gators senior right guard Jon Halapio described the loss as “shocking” and was struggling to see how UF could lift themselves ahead of the visit of Florida State.

“The morale of this team is at an all-time low. We have a lack of leadership. We just really need to tighten up as a team,” he said.

Florida quarterback Skyler Mornhinweg, making his second career start, was stunned by the defeat.

“We’re the Florida Gators. We’re supposed to win every game,” he said.

Mornhinweg was particularly critical of his own performance. He managed to connect with only five of his 13 passes for 14 yards in the first three quarters. The youngster came to life in the final quarter but could not inspire his team to victory.

“I’ve got to do a better job. The receivers were running through routes and I just got to put the ball in their hands and make some plays,” he said.

Muschamp was more positive in defeat. He refuses to push the panic button and wants a chance to put things right.

“It takes work. I don’t believe we’re that far off,” said Muschamp.

“I think there are some key components for our football team that aren’t playing for us right now.”

He added: “I’m excited about this Saturday and our guys getting out and competing again.”

Florida State have won all 11 of their games this season and are fresh from a 66-point win over the Idaho Vandals.