Quick Look: Florida Gators vs. LSU Tigers
The full preview will come later this week, but for now a quick look at this week’s game.
It’s the Jeff Driskel show whether he, the coaches, or the fans like it or not. Driskel is probably extremely excited about his first start for Florida; the coaches may be eager to see what he can do; and the fans are looking forward to the quarterback’s future. For now though, visiting LSU may not be the ideal situation.
Driskel was thrown to the fire in the Gators’ loss to Alabama. He wasn’t given the keys to the entire offense, but was instead allowed to just back it out of the driveway. To this point in the season, he has attempted 16 passes and completed only seven. Driskel has thrown two interceptions and been sacked twice. Not the ideal start to one’s career, but acceptable because he’s a true freshman in a backup role simply learning the nuances of the college game. That’s no longer the case. Driskel has to grow up quick and become a leader before anyone ever imagined. We wish him luck, but also wish it was Furman and not one the nation’s most dominant teams.
Driskel isn’t the only question looming over the offense. The other is whatever it was that happened to the run game against Bama. A great deal of the lack of success running the ball against the Tide had to do with the fact that Alabama’s defense is just that good. The problem is that so is LSU’s. The Tigers’ defense will use that game as a model to disrupt the Gators’ offensive line and slow the running game. If they’re successful, game over. With a young quarterback making his first start in a hostile environment, the run game needs to carry the offense. If it doesn’t, you may find yourself looking for cover.
On the defensive side of the ball, defensive line pressure and tackling ability from all positions must return. Florida had improved dramatically in both over the course of the season up into it all fell apart on Saturday. Pressure was few and far between and tackling was a thing of the past. Similar to watching the Gators’ offensive play against the Tide, the Tigers will do the same to scout the defense. LSU will know exactly how to attack Florida, so the Gators must be ready. This is a game that could get out of hand early, but the defense can’t give up.
Losses will come in a transition year like the one the Gators were predicted to have, but from those losses should be signs of improvement being made. One of those signs was the pass game opening up in the first half against Alabama. There were few others. Florida took a serious step back in a number of areas and showed just where they were compared to the nation’s elite. LSU is one of those elite. This will be a rough one for the Gators, but one they must stay in. Freshman quarterback or not, Florida still has talent on both sides of the ball. A win may be hard to come by, but an improved effort shouldn’t be. The season’s first big test didn’t go well. The second one needs to be a turn for the better.