LSU rushing offense
vs. Florida rushing defense
After the Mississippi State game, everyone thought all was well
with the LSU ground game. However, Tiger rushers ran into a brick wall at
Georgia last week. Alley Broussard
was limited to 45 yards and Justin Vincent managed only two rushing yards. The
play of the offensive line was horrendous last Saturday and must improve for LSU
to have any chance running the ball. However, Florida is giving up 118 yards on the
ground.
Advantage:
Push
LSU passing offense
vs. Florida
passing defense
Florida lost a number of starters off last
season’s defense, including standout corner Keiwan Ratliff. The gator secondary
hasn’t played all that well this season and if LSU quarterbacks can find a
rhythm, they can exploit the weakest unit on this Florida team. However,
finding that rhythm may be tough if the offensive line can’t protect the
quarterback.
Advantage:
Push
Florida rushing offense
vs. LSU rushing defense
Georgia’s Danny Ware embarrassed the Tigers rushing defense last week slicing and dicing his way
through the LSU front seven like a warm knife through butter. The Tigers are
known to be splid against the run, but have not done a good job wrapping up on
tackles. Florida has an outstanding running back in
Ciatrick Fason. LSU had better wrap him up or he is going to remind the Tiger
stoppers of Mr. Ware.
Advantage: Florida
Florida passing offense
vs. LSU passing defense
What was supposed to be the
strength of this team has turned out to be one of its biggest problems.
Cornerbacks Corey Webster and Travis Daniels left Athens red-faced last weekend as the trio of
David Greene, Reggie Brown and Fred Gibson had a field day. Guess what,
Florida’s
Chris Leak is better than Greene. The results – if LSU doesn’t get their act
together, it could be more of the same, only this time in an offense more
explosive that Georgia’s.
Advantage: Florida
LSU special teams
vs. Georgia special
teams:
At first it was just missed extra
points, now lots of things are going wrong for the Tigers special teams.
Granted, Chris Jackson kept the streak of missed extra points alive, now at four
games, but Xavier Carter’s blunder bringing a kickoff out of the end zone and
downing it at the one and a costly penalty on an impressive punt return by
Skyler Green negated a big gainer. LSU has some issues yet to be worked out
here.
Advantage: Florida
Intangibles:
This should be a no-brainer in
favor of Florida right? We disagree. Like
Georgia enjoyed tasting the sweetness
of revenge in last week’s thrashing of LSU, the Tigers can go to the Swamp with
the same motivation as the Gators were the only team to beat LSU in 2003. Plus,
toss in the fact you have to think LSU is hungry for redemption after such a
poor showing. However, this is still the Swamp. But LSU conquered Ben Hill
Griffin Stadium the last trip to Florida Field.
Advantage:
LSU
Prediction:
For the first time in a year and a
half, Tiger Rag is going against the Tigers. LSU looks snakebit right now. The
offense is anemic, the defense is porous and Georgia just gave every team in
America the right formula to
effectively beat LSU. While we don’t think Florida is as talented as LSU personnel-wise,
the gators do possess Chris Leak which will be a huge advantage for the Gators
in this one. The way Florida’s defense has
played, especially in the fourth quarter versus Arkansas, this one could see some points
scored.
Florida 35, LSU
31
- Matt Deville