Florida football: The Gators’ defense vs. LSU’s offense

There’s been much made about LSU’s offense. So much so that you would think they cast a giant shadow over Florida football. But, not so fast.

On one side of the football, you have the Florida football defense — give up just 4.49 yards per play, six touchdowns and an average of just 276.3 yards per game — 11th-best in the Football Bowl Subdivision for total defense.

Then, you have LSU — earning 7.67 yards per play, scoring 34 touchdowns and averaging 571 yards per game — ranking them second in the nation for total offense behind Oklahoma.

While it may be easy to start throwing roses at the feet of the offensive genius that is Tigers’ head coach Ed Orgeron, you might want to take a breath.

While the Tigers do have one of the most potent offenses in the nation presently, you have to look at their list of opponents to provide some context.

Georgia Southern: This is a little better as the Eagles are 2-3 on the season — beating powerhouses like Maine and South Alabama. Georgia Southern has a bit better defense — 90th overall in FBS — but, they have been outpassed 1,305-277. Against LSU, the Tigers threw for 350 yards and five touchdowns in the win. Again, against a not-so-stellar defense. Their defensive pass efficiency — 159.28 (ranked No. 117 in FBS).

All SEC Football

Northwestern State: The Demons dropped a 65-14 heartbreaker to LSU on Sept. 14. They are presently 0-5 overall — losing even to UT-Martin, 42-20 in the season-opener (remember them, Florida football fans?). They have given up an average of 46.4 points per game, have been outrushed 967-469 and out passed 1,601-1,438. Every team they’ve faced has hung at least 33 points on them this season.

Texas: Here it gets a little better for the Tigers. The Longhorns are 4-1 and nationally ranked this season. Texas has a horrible pass defense — giving up 1,626 yards so far this season — sporting the No. 98 team nationally for defensive pass efficiency (145.05). For the record, Florida football’s defensive pass efficiency is ninth-best in the nation at 103.77.

Vanderbilt: Yet another team LSU should not be touting its offense against. The Commodores’ defensive pass efficiency is worse that Texas’ (120th in the nation at 161.78). Vanderbilt has one win this season — a 24-18 scorcher against Northern Illinois — and have been blasted by at least 31 in their losses. In fact, the Vanderbilt defense has given up more than 60 points against two opponents so far this season.

Utah State: The Aggies are another team LSU was able to pick apart. But, because the Aggies’ run defense was so bad (gave up 248 yards to LSU, which doesn’t have a great running game), the passing game was able to spread out more and get 353 yards in the air. Again, not a great defense to hang your hat on.

The bottom line is the defenses LSU has faced are quite simply terrible. They haven’t gone out and beaten any world-beaters that bring a defense. In fact, most of the defense’s the Tigers have faced barely have a pulse.

But, with Florida football, you have quite the opposite.

The Gators have the 16th best rushing defense — allowing just 93 yards per game. Florida football also has the highest-rated red zone defense in the nation — a .357 percentage.

Their defensive passing efficiency is No. 9 in the country at 103.77 and they still lead the nation in interceptions with 12. Florida is fourth in the country in team sacks, averaging 4.33 per game — they have 26 sacks on the season which is tied for fourth-highest in the nation and best in the Southeastern Conference.

The thing here is LSU quarterback Joe Burrow may be able to spread the ball around to seven different receivers, but with the various schemes, corner blitzes and coverages Florida football defensive coordinator Todd Grantham will likely throw at him, it will be tough for him to have time to pick out those open receivers.

If it’s all about pressure, Florida football can certainly bring that.

Oh, and let us not forget Shawn Davis, Marco Wilson and Donovan Stiner — all three Gators in the top top 10 for interceptions in the SEC.

So, not to belabor the point, but LSU’s offense may have impressive numbers, but they have yet to run into a defense like that of Florida football.

No. 5 LSU will host No. 7 Florida football at 8 p.m. Saturday at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.