Holbrook Presser Recap: Florida

Chad Holbrook held a press conference Thursday afternoon to preview this weekend's SEC East showdown against Florida at Founders Park:

Florida is a terrific team from a talent, pitching, speed and athleticism. No chink in their armor. Must play our best baseball to have a chance to win. We understand we're playing the favorite to win the national championship. Been consensus No. 1 team all year.

Florida has changed up its weekend rotation a bit but they are still going to throw 3 1st-round draft picks at us. Gators have had some Thur-Sat series. Fri. night starter Logan Shore is 8-0 w/ 2.14 ERA.

Clarke Schmidt has set the tone for us all year long. Leader of the pitching staff and the team. Florida has good pitchers, but so do we.

We have a close-knit, cohesive team. Enjoyed winning as a team. Strong sense of togetherness.

USC has had to focus on final exams this week. Workout Thur and possible one Fri morning before Friday night's game. Good week to catch your breath with no midweek games.

USC-Florida rivalry goes back a long time. Met in 2011 national championship series. We have utmost respect for them. They have a certain mystique and are used to winning. But we're 33-8 and we'll put some guys out there that are used to winning as well. We have the same mystique.

Runs will be at a premium because both teams play defense and pitch well. So, when a team gets a runner in scoring position, they must scored. Wasted opportunities could prove costly (if not fatal). We have to capitalize on our opportunities.

USC has best home record in SEC (25-1), Florida has best road record in SEC (9-3). Could come down to which team is mentally tougher, but really just about which team plays better. We should have some confidence based on how well we have played at home. But beating Florida presents the ultimate challenge. Comforting knowing we're playing at home.