Big SEC Battle: LSU Tigers vs. Florida Gators

The Florida Gators and the LSU Tigers meet up in a huge rivalry game. It’s always a competitive game and with both teams in the Top 25 rankings, it will be sure to be an even bigger test. LSU comes into the game 5-0 and Florida is 4-1. LSU is ranked #5 in the nation while Florida sits at #22.

This is a big crossover matchup in the SEC as Florida is 3rd in the SEC West and LSU is tied for the lead in the SEC East. If either team take a loss, it could spell trouble for them to make it into the conference championship game. With Georgia and Alabama looking like they are going to roll over their opponents this year, neither team can afford a loss. LSU opens up as two point favorites on the road.

Orgeron Pleased with Tigers

LSU has performed very well up to this point in the season and they are just getting ready to get into the meat of their schedule. They took down #8 Miami in the first game of the season 33-17 and followed that with a win in Week 3 over #7 Auburn 22-21.

Quarterback Joe Burrow has led the offense this year and has thrown for 1023 yards and six touchdowns. Their leading rusher on the season thus far is Nick Brossette who has 481 yards and six touchdowns. LSU’s defense has been really good this year as they only have allowed 15 points a game which is 12thin the nation in scoring defense.

Right now, LSU has a 6 percent chance to reach the playoffs. With a win in the next two games against Florida and Georgia their chance would only climb to 26 percent which is a testament to how tough their schedule is late in the season. LSU has been as impressive as any team in the country this year and they will set out to prove that on Saturday.

Gators Looking to Avoid 2nd Loss

Florida has suffered one loss on the season thus far. That loss came at the hands of then unranked Kentucky. The other game that they played competitively was last week against #23 Mississippi State, a game which they won 13-6. This week is going to be their toughest game on the schedule except for the matchup with Georgia in a few weeks. Florida struggles to move the ball as they are tied at 93rdin the nation allowing 203 passing yards a game.

They score 35 points a game but that is because they have played a few really easy games early in the season. They’re defense is a bit better than LSU as they allow 14 points a game which is ranked ninth in the nation. They allowed six points to Charleston Southern, 27 to Kentucky, 10 to Colorado State, 21 to Tennessee, and 6 to Mississippi State. Seeing this, you can tell why their defense is so good. They just haven’t played quite the level of competition to test themselves yet.

Pick and Prediction

In this one, the smart pick will be to take LSU. They have beaten some good teams and have beaten them soundly. Florida struggled last week against Mississippi State and slipped up against Kentucky. Florida has struggled to score the ball at times in games and LSU could run all over them if they struggle to move the ball. Florida is at home which will help them out but LSU is the better team.

If Florida can come out energized and create a few turnovers early, then they will have a chance to get some points on the board and put pressure on LSU. If this doesn’t happen though and LSU scores quickly then they will run away with it. Take LSU and the points.