Florida Gators Football Preview: Five Keys To Defeating LSU

Oct 17, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Florida Gators running back Jordan Scarlett (25) carries the ball in front of LSU Tigers safety Rickey Jefferson (29) on his way to scoring a touchdown in the second half at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Florida 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Florida Gators running back Jordan Scarlett (25) carries the ball in front of LSU Tigers safety Rickey Jefferson (29) on his way to scoring a touchdown in the second half at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Florida 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 12, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Teez Tabor (31) works out prior to the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Teez Tabor (31) works out prior to the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Winning The Turnover Battle

The Florida Gators are one of the best defensive teams in all of college football. Florida is No. 3 in total yards allowed per game and passing yards allowed per game, No. 5 in points allowed per game, and No. 12 in rushing yards allowed per game.

The defensive key to defeating the LSU Tigers on the road, however, will be winning the turnover battle against a favored home team.

Florida currently has 12 interceptions, including three returned for touchdowns. The Gators rank No. 21 in the country in interceptions, No. 7 in interceptions returned for touchdowns, and have an additional four fumble recoveries.

Florida has also thrown the third-most interceptions in the SEC and have committed 14 fumbles, including five lost.

Bigger than the accumulated numbers is the reality that SEC games are often won and lost by the turnover battle. Traveling to LSU will be difficult enough, but giving the offense momentum and the crowd reason to be loud and infectious would be the worst case scenario.

The following slide will outline just how the Gators can do that—and the fact that they have the personnel to do so.