By Danny Atkinson
The premier matchup of this weekend is the No. 1 Florida Gators (+8) against the No. 4 LSU Tigers. You cannot beat a Saturday night SEC matchup between the winners of the last three national championships for excitement. Let’s take an in-depth look at what promises to be the biggest matchup of the season.
All the focus on the Gators has been on the status of Heisman QB Tim Tebow. Tebow, who’s third in the nation in passer rating, suffered a concussion against Kentucky on Sept. 26. After recovering from the aftereffects, he began practicing on Tuesday and will be a game-time decision. If Tebow cannot go, then quarterbacking duty will fall to freshman John Brantley, who has thrown four touchdowns in mop up duty.
Whoever is behind center, Florida’s offense will rely on a deep rushing attack against LSU. The Gators are third in the nation in total offense with 526.3 yards per game and much their firepower comes from a running game that averages 307.5 yards. Florida features Jeffrey Demps (10.9 yards per carry) Chris Rainey (8.4) and Emmanuel Moody (10.4) at RB, and Tebow has run for 4.9 YPC and five TD’s. At QB Tebow will be a multi-dimensional threat for the Gators if he plays, while Brantley would act as a classic dropback passer. LSU will have to prepare for a great offense averaging 45.0 points a game and led by two very different QB’s. It should be a daunting challenge.
After having one of the top defenses in the nation the past few years, the Tigers have somewhat struggled on that side of the ball. LSU’s ranked 40th nationally in total defense, 41st against the rush and 101st in sacks. The Tigers are having difficulty in generating conventional pressure and are relying on the secondary. LSU is 13th in the nation in pass efficiency defense. The Tigers need to be able to control the line against Florida if they want to shut down their rushing attack. And LSU must generate strong pressure against ether quarterback to truly shot down the Gators offense. It would be especially unfortunate if the Tigers were unable to generate proper pressure against an untested QB in Brantley.
The LSU offense has been largely inconsistent. They are ranked only 61st in points scored per game nationally at 27.0. The offense is strongest at QB, where sophomore Jordan Jefferson has rapidly improved and thrown for 7 TD’s and only 2 INT’s. The Tigers rushing attack has struggled and is only averaging 3.7 yards per carry, but Charles Scott helped them defeat Georgia with two late touchdowns. He and the rest of LSU’s RB’s must have a solid game to take pressure off Jefferson and the Tigers defense. That will be a tough task against one of the best units in the nation.
Florida’s veteran defense is ranked 1st and 2nd nationally in yards and points allowed per game at 217.7 and 7.2. They should be able to gain an edge on LSU’s offensive line and put pressure on Jefferson and LSU’S RB’s, as the Tigers have given up 13 sacks through only five games. If the Gators stop LSU’s rushing attack, the Tiger’s offensive success will fall largely on the shoulders of Jefferson. If he gets protection and plays well, LSU’s chances skyrocket.
Even if they are without Tebow, Florida is and should be the favorites in this game. Their rushing attack is extremely deep and will take pressure off Brantley if he plays. LSU’s defense is flawed and cannot match up with the Gators personal-wise. On offense the Tiger do not have the ability to protect their quarterback adequately and will get shut down. LSU is a good team masquerading as a great one. This weekend, Florida will expose the truth. Florida 31-14
