🏈 The little elephant in the corner...of SEC country. LSU vs Florida this weekend...

[TerryP]

I really haven't thought much about this game until the last few weeks; moreso this week when I see that Vegas is high on Florida right now. I can understand their reasoning considering UF is SEC tested.

Phil Steele put out his thoughts on the game this week:

[TABLE="width: 726"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD="colspan: 6"]

#3 LSU AT #10 FLORIDA
​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 93"][/TD]
[TD="width: 62"]

Rushing​

[/TD]
[TD="width: 50"]

Passing​

[/TD]
[TD="width: 51"]

Points​

[/TD]
[TD="width: 43"]

TO’s​

[/TD]
[TD="width: 50"]

ST​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: excel2"]
[TD]LSU[/TD]
[TD]145[/TD]
[TD]

107​

[/TD]
[TD]

14​

[/TD]
[TD]

+4​

[/TD]
[TD]

-​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: excel2"]
[TD]FLORIDA[/TD]
[TD]

187​

[/TD]
[TD]

213​

[/TD]
[TD]

31​

[/TD]
[TD]

+5​

[/TD]
[TD]

-​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 6"]

LAST 14 YEARS MATCHUPS​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 6"] Two years ago LSU pulled the upset 33-29 in The Swamp and while LSU had a 385-243 yard edge, they needed a fake FG that bounced off the ground and was caught and got a 3 yard td pass with :06 left for the win. Last year LSU was at home and UF was not only missing their #1 QB but also his backup and 3rd string true frosh QB Brissett who’d never taken a snap, got the start in Death Valley (8-14-94) and it was LSU’s most lopsided win over UF s/’71. The last time UF dropped 3 straight to LSU was from 1978-’80. LSU only had Towson last week but the Gators are off a bye. LSU been rather uninspiring the last two weeks including the 38-22 win over Towson and has dropped 2 spots in the polls. UF is 4-0 led by QB Driskel who is completing 70% with a 4-1 ratio while RB Gillislee is averaging 100 ypg (5.8). The Gators will also be getting back a couple of injured starters on D, have played a much tougher schedule (#4-105) and “Mr. 2H Adjustment” HC Muschamp has seen his Gators outscore their opponents 64-13 in the 2H and I will continue to ride my pick to win the SEC East.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 6"]

PHIL’S FORECAST: FLORIDA 24 LSU 17​

[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

---

Florida by 8? :shock:

UF's QB says the game is going to be a lot closer this year. I tend to believe that. But it's not him that makes me wonder about this game.

The Gators didn't allow anyone to score in the fourth quarter last month. Balance that with an LSU offense that hasn't had to put points on the board out of necessity, and the question marks that surround their offense.

Tim Brando was discussing Mettenberger today and mentioned he believed the reports coming out of their summer and fall camps about Mett. I tend to as well. I do believe he has the potential.

However, I don't know if he's capable of unleashing that potential. Yet.

I do know this. LSU doesn't believe that Florida has the bodies to compete man on man for four quarters. Muschamp would agree with them and I do as well. But, going back a few thoughts, what happens if Florida is up by 10 or so in the fourth. Do they have the capability to come back? Is the loss of Mathieu going to rear its ugly head this week when they don't have a special teams player to turn the tide when needed?

Thoughts?

---

Week Six pick 'ems are open now with the spreads and over/unders. This game is there as well, but for the heck of it we'll hold one here as well.

How many BamaBucks do you wager on your thoughts and opinions of this game?!?!?

 

[TerryP]

FWIW, I'm going with Florida to beat the spread, and over 44.5.

 

[252BAMA]

24-21 uf!

 

[psychojoe]

FWIW, I'm going with Florida to beat the spread, and over 44.5.

I like the Gators in this one as well. It would not shock me if they win straight up. For all the talk about LSU's improved offense, I have not seen it yet.

 

[jdpas29]

QB play will decide this one.. i look for florida to expose LSU. Driskel will run a lot.

 

[BamaFan615]

I'm feeling the same way as ya'll for the most part. I think Florida is better than people think they are, and I think that will keep the game close. Couple the fact that they have a much improved team, and the Swamp can be a tough place to play, and I could absolutely see Florida pulling the upset.

However, I'm going with LSU in a close low scoring contest 20-17.

I will say that I can't wait for the day that one of Lester's late game screw up's actually cost him in a close game. So, maybe this is the week his luck runs out!

 

[bamaraider]

26-24 Florida! I think Florida will get a blocked punt and a kick-off return. Defensive battle the entire game, Florida counters LSU's pass rush with the screen game.

Now I only think Florida will win the defensive battle because I think Ben Hill Griffin Stadium will be rocking and their defense will feed off of that, much like Auburn.

 

[SEC News Bot]

Gators vs. LSU: 10 Things to Watch

The &quot;SEC on CBS&quot; bus rolled into town on Thursday and parked outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. You know what that means: there is a big game on Saturday.

Read More Here...