E-Mail
Print
For the fourth time since 2006, LSU and Florida will meet while ranked in the top ten. The Fighting Tigers are 5-and-0 and ranked 4th in the AP Poll, while the Gators are 4-and-0 overall and ranked tenth.
The Gators have won three games in the Southeastern Conference, with two of those victories coming on the road. Meanwhile, LSU is coming off back-to-back performances that were not very impressive.
It should be a good one in Gainesville and here are five things to keep an eye on as these rivals meet for the 59th time.
1. Will Florida be able to run the football?
This is strength versus strength match-up, Florida's offensive line against LSU's defensive line. The Gators are third in the SEC in rush offense, while the Tigers are third in the league in rush defense. Florida is averaging 224 rushing yards a game. Five-foot-11, 209-pound senior running back Mike Gillislee averages 100 yards a contest. Quarterback Jeff Driskel is also capable of picking up yards on the ground and Trey Burton is averaging 18 yards a rush on five carries. Meanwhile LSU's defense should be motivated after allowing Towson to rush for 188 yards.
2. LSU's offensive tackles
Sixth-year senior Josh Dworaczyk is expected back after missing last week with an injury. Dworaczyk started the three previous games at left tackle prior to the Towson contest, but might not return to that position. Coach Les Miles has hinted at playing Alex Hurst at left tackle, where he started last week and start Dworaczyk at right tackle. I don't see Miles starting true freshman Vadal Alexander on road. LSU's o-line had trouble at Auburn, but Florida's pass rush is not as good as Auburn's. The Gators only have five sacks on the seasons.
3. LSU's wide receivers
Odell Beckham Jr. busted out of a sophomore slump with five catches for 182 yards and two touchdowns against Towson. Beckham needs to keep playing at a high level, but someone else needs to step up. Russell Shepard showed his big-play ability with a 78-yard touchdown run last week, let's see if LSU gets him the ball some more. Quarterback Zach Mettenberger said this week they expect Florida to play a lot of man coverage and his receivers will need to run good routes.
4. Kenny Hilliard
LSU sophomore running back Kenny Hilliard has been quiet the last two weeks. Hilliard had ten carries for 40 yards against Auburn and rushed for only 23 yards against Towson. A big game from Hilliard is needed in the Swamp. He should benefit from fullback JC Copeland, who will play against Florida, after suffering what appeared to be a serious injury against Towson.
5. Penalties
LSU and Florida are two of the most heavily penalized teams in the Southeastern Conference. The Tigers have been penalized a league-high 42 times, while the Gators have been flagged 32 times in four games. Miles has been preaching smarter play and we'll see if the Tigers are more focused now that they are playing a top ten team.
The Gators have won three games in the Southeastern Conference, with two of those victories coming on the road. Meanwhile, LSU is coming off back-to-back performances that were not very impressive.
It should be a good one in Gainesville and here are five things to keep an eye on as these rivals meet for the 59th time.
1. Will Florida be able to run the football?
This is strength versus strength match-up, Florida's offensive line against LSU's defensive line. The Gators are third in the SEC in rush offense, while the Tigers are third in the league in rush defense. Florida is averaging 224 rushing yards a game. Five-foot-11, 209-pound senior running back Mike Gillislee averages 100 yards a contest. Quarterback Jeff Driskel is also capable of picking up yards on the ground and Trey Burton is averaging 18 yards a rush on five carries. Meanwhile LSU's defense should be motivated after allowing Towson to rush for 188 yards.
2. LSU's offensive tackles
Sixth-year senior Josh Dworaczyk is expected back after missing last week with an injury. Dworaczyk started the three previous games at left tackle prior to the Towson contest, but might not return to that position. Coach Les Miles has hinted at playing Alex Hurst at left tackle, where he started last week and start Dworaczyk at right tackle. I don't see Miles starting true freshman Vadal Alexander on road. LSU's o-line had trouble at Auburn, but Florida's pass rush is not as good as Auburn's. The Gators only have five sacks on the seasons.
3. LSU's wide receivers
Odell Beckham Jr. busted out of a sophomore slump with five catches for 182 yards and two touchdowns against Towson. Beckham needs to keep playing at a high level, but someone else needs to step up. Russell Shepard showed his big-play ability with a 78-yard touchdown run last week, let's see if LSU gets him the ball some more. Quarterback Zach Mettenberger said this week they expect Florida to play a lot of man coverage and his receivers will need to run good routes.
4. Kenny Hilliard
LSU sophomore running back Kenny Hilliard has been quiet the last two weeks. Hilliard had ten carries for 40 yards against Auburn and rushed for only 23 yards against Towson. A big game from Hilliard is needed in the Swamp. He should benefit from fullback JC Copeland, who will play against Florida, after suffering what appeared to be a serious injury against Towson.
5. Penalties
LSU and Florida are two of the most heavily penalized teams in the Southeastern Conference. The Tigers have been penalized a league-high 42 times, while the Gators have been flagged 32 times in four games. Miles has been preaching smarter play and we'll see if the Tigers are more focused now that they are playing a top ten team.
LSU wins 21-20.
