Big-time atmosphere

Maurkice Pouncey has played in big games before. Rivalry games. Nationally televised games. Championship games.

This one will be a different.

"Definitely different," Pouncey said. "I've played in big games before, but not this big."

At this time a year ago, Pouncey and his Lakeland High School teammates were preparing to play Cincinnati St. Xavier, the top team in Ohio, in a game televised throughout parts of the country.

The match-up of national high school powers seemed huge at the time, but not quite so big now.

Because the true freshman offensive guard is about to enter the real world of big-time college football.

Florida vs. Tennessee in The Swamp.

Now, that's big.

"This is a lot different than Western Kentucky or Troy," Pouncey said. "I can't wait to see what happens."

This is an exciting time for Pouncey and the numerous other Florida true and redshirt freshmen who will be playing in their first big collegiate game Saturday.

And it's a little bit of a scary time for Florida fans who are wondering how all these young players will respond in this different atmosphere.

Some of the older Florida players are saying don't worry, the kids will be fine. Pouncey agrees.

"I'm not going to be nervous," Pouncey said. "If I wasn't prepared, I'd be nervous. I'll be prepared. Coach (Urban) Meyer wouldn't play (the young players) if they weren't ready to go out there and play. You just have to go out there and play ball.

"I think the young players are going to hold their own."

Pouncey is one of two true freshmen starting for the Gators. The other is cornerback Joe Haden.

Pouncey and Haden are starting their third game, but this game is obviously much different than the first two.

"It's not overwhelming," Haden said. "It's just a lot different than the first two weeks. Everything is different because people are talking about (the game) more. Coaches are getting more serious with me.

"I can't wait to play in the game. I want to play, but I want to make sure that when I do go in that I'm ready."

Meyer said on Sunday one of the goals this week was to make sure all the young players realize that everything rises to a different level now. The intensity. The focus. The preparation. Meyer said he would be relying on the veteran players and the coaches to get it done.

Pouncey and Haden said the message has come through loud and clear.

"The coaches are a lot more serious and a lot more intense," Haden said. "They're just telling us that we need to just practice harder because this is Tennessee.

"I know I need to toughen my game because I'll be going against real dudes now - real SEC-caliber ball players. I'm focused. I'm studying a lot more film than I did in the two weeks before. I just want to feel comfortable out there and know what's going to happen before it happens."

Pouncey said he's also putting in some extra work this week in the film room with the veteran offensive linemen, including senior Drew Miller and junior Jim Tartt.

"You can tell by the way the Tennessee players play that they're a lot different (than what the Gators faced in the first two games)," Pouncey said. "They've got athletes on their team."

The Gators do, too, but many of them will be playing in their first SEC game Saturday.

Senior strong safety Tony Joiner said the kids will be all right.

"I think they're going to hold us extremely well," Joiner said. "It doesn't worry me at all. If you look from week one to week two, they've progressed, they've gotten better. That's what we're looking for them to do.

"This week, we're looking for them to get a lot better because they've been practicing very well. I'm looking forward to them having a great game."

Sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow said the young players, especially the true freshmen, have exhibited maturity beyond their years this week - and since they first arrived on campus.

"Our group of freshmen this year is very mature, just in everything they've done since getting here," Tebow said. "They've been mature about going to class, about staying on top of their academics, about the little things they've done.

"I think going into a game like this, they're going to be mature about handling the pressure and everything that goes with it."

It's a different game now.

Pouncey said he and the many young players will be ready.

"It's all about preparation," he said. "These coaches are going to have us prepared. I'm real excited."

Robbie Andreu can be reached at 352-374-5022 or andreur@gvillesun.com.