Florida football: Know your enemy – LSU Tigers

Florida football faces the biggest test of the year on Saturday night in Death Valley. The Tigers have figured out how to play offense, but the Florida defense should be able to slow the LSU attack.

“Obviously, we’re excited about this game,” LSU Head Coach Ed Orgeron stated in his weekly press conference, “Excited about the ESPN GameDay being here. 7:00 o’clock (Central), Saturday night, Tiger Stadium, LSU-Florida (football) … doesn’t get much better than that.”

Coach O couldn’t have said it any better.

Last 5 Meetings

2018 – Florida 27-19
2017 – LSU 17-16
2016 – Florida 16-10
2015 – LSU 35-28
2014 – LSU 30-27

Opponent Season Summary

Game #1 – W 55-3 vs Georgia Southern

Joe Burrow threw for five touchdowns as LSU easily routed the overmatched Eagles. Georgia Southern rushed for only 74 yards on 39 attempts and only completed four passes for 24 yards on the day.

Game #2 – W 45-38 vs #9 Texas

The #6 Tigers fell down 7-3 early in the second quarter and the ripped off three scoring drives to close the half. Texas closed the gap to 23-21 late in the third quarter and a field goal with about four minutes to go in the game brought the score to 37-31 LSU. On 3rd & 17, Burrow responded by rolling left in traffic and hitting crossing WR Justin Jefferson in stride. Jefferson was able to turn upfield and streaked for the put-away touchdown that gave LSU a 45-31 lead late.

Game #3 – W 65-14 vs Northwestern State

A sloppy first half did not translate into a close finish. Northwestern State held a 7-3 lead at the end of the first quarter and only trailed 24-14 at the half. Unfortunately, for Coach Orgeron’s alma mater, the Tigers likely had an inspired halftime pep talk from Coach O and closed the game on a 41-0 run.

Game #4 – W 66-38 at Vanderbilt

In a game full of big offensive stat-lines, none was more impressive than Burrow’s 398 yards passing and six touchdown passes.

Game #5 – W 42-6 vs Utah State

The Tigers went to work on the defensive side of the ball during their bye week. After an ugly performance at Vandy, LSU held Utah State’s big offense to only 159 total yards. Burrow added another five touchdowns through the air.

Head Coach

If safe to say that LSU head coach Ed Oregron has completely revamped the program in his image. During the latter years of the Les Miles era, the Tigers’ offense struggled for any type of consistency. Oregron has opened up the offense and has LSU rolling in his third season.

I was one of the many who doubted the hire, but there might not be a better fit for at head coach than Coach O at LSU.

Oregron’s passionate approach made him an elite recruiter. Here’s a great story he shared about how he landed on USC’s coaching staff after Pete Carroll was hired:

Offensive Outlook

Key players:

• QB Joe Burrow (SR)
• RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (JR)
• WR Justin Jefferson (JR)
• WR Ja’Marr Chase (SO)
• C Lloyd Cushenberry (JR)

The old school, run-heavy offense is no longer a staple dish in Baton Rouge.

“LSU has scored 273 points through five games,” according to the LSU Communications Department, “for the most points scored in the first five games of a season in SEC history.”

The Tigers are 31-31 in the red zone this season and have the most red-zone scores in the nation.

Florida football has yet to face an offense as talented as LSU, but the Tigers have yet to face a defense as tough as the Gators.

Quarterback

Early into the 2018 campaign, it was easy to see that QB Joe Burrow, the grad transfer from Ohio State, had quickly fixed the longstanding quarterback problem in Baton Rouge.

According to LSUsports.net, Burrow became the first player in LSU history to throw for 2,500 yards and rush for 350 yards or more in a season. He set or tied eight school records in 2018.

There was a reason to buy into the Burrow hype leading into 2019 and the senior from Athens, Ohio, has not disappointed.

Burrow has racked up a little under 2,000 passing yards through five games this season and boasts a 78.4% completion percentage, which is good for the best in the country.

The senior captain has 20 or more completions in eight straight games (one of his school records).

After he torched Texas for 471 yards through the air, the most ever against the Longhorns (#therealDBU), and has entrenched himself firmly as a Heisman Trophy contender.

"“Not only is LSU football a contender for the College Football Playoff, but it’s time to start including Joe Burrow in the Heisman discussion. He’s comfortable in an explosive offense with tons of weapons and his team will be in the hunt late into the season.”Former Gators WR, Chris Doering on the SEC Network"

The Florida football secondary did a nice job against Auburn last week, but stopping a more experienced Burrow will be a completely different challenge.

The real key to the game will be what’s carried the Gators’ on defense through the first half of the season: the defensive line.

The defensive line will need to keep steady pressure on the senior quarterback throughout the night.

If the pressure is where it needs to be, Florida football can create a few turnovers and put the clamps down on this untested Tigers offense.

Running Back

RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (JR) leads the way in the LSU backfield with 65 carries for 360 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

All SEC Football

Last season, the junior accounted for 658 yards rushing and seven touchdowns.

The depth chart took a bit of a hit when RB Lanard Fournette (SR), the younger brother of LSU legend Leonard Fournette, left the team in recent weeks, but don’t feel sorry for the Tigers.

The highest-rated running back prospect to come to LSU since Leonard Fournette is true freshman, John Emery Jr. A five-star back from St. Rose, LA, Emery looks to be a bigger part of the Tigers’ plans going forward after racking up nine carries for 51 yards against Vanderbilt and eight carries for 45 yards against Utah State.

RB Tyrion Davis-Price (FR) has 28 carries for 112 yards and two touchdowns on the year.

RB Chris Curry (RS-FR) from Lehigh Acres, FL, has only carried the ball 12 times this season and doesn’t figure to have much of an impact against the Gators.

Wide-Receiver/Tight End

WR Justin Jefferson (JR) led LSU in every receiving category in 2018 with 54 receptions for 875 yards and six touchdowns in his first year as a starter.

Jefferson has benefited from his connection with Burrow and hauled in 30 catches for 547 yards and seven touchdowns so far in 2019. He played a critical role in the win over Texas by posting nine catches for 163 yards and three touchdowns.

"“We going after them. We definitely want to win this game. We need revenge for last year.”LSU WR Justin Jefferson on ESPN’s Marty and McGee"

Two other LSU wide receivers have had an impact in 2019, but one will be missing against the Gators:

WR Ja’Marr Chase (SO) has 23 receptions on the season for 451 yards and six touchdowns.

WR Terrace Marshall Jr. (SO) has accounted for 20 catches for 304 yards and six touchdowns but is expected to miss the Florida game.

TE Thaddeus Moss (JR) transferred into LSU after spending his freshman year with NC State. Moss, the son of NFL Hall of Famer, Randy Moss, only has eight catches on the season, but five of those catches were hauled in last week against Utah State.

Senior TE Stephen Sullivan also has eight catches on the year.

Offensive Line

LT #77 Saahdiq Charles 6’4″, 295 LBS (JR)

• Started last two seasons at Left Tackle for the Tigers

LG #73 Adrian Magee 6’4″ 343 LBS (SR)

• Played in 10 games in 2018, starting four times at three different positions

C #79 Lloyd Cushenberry III 6’4″ 315 LBS (JR)

Started all 13 games as a sophomore

"Becomes first offensive linemen to be honored with the No. 18 jersey … As an offensive lineman, the rules of college football prevent Cushenberry from actually wearing the No. 18 jersey in games so instead his No. 79 jersey will be accompanied by a No. 18 patch … Does wear No. 18 in practice …. The No. 18 jersey is given annually to the player or players that best represent LSU football with a selfless attitude and is the epitome of a Tiger, on and off the field.Via LSUsports.net"

RG #68 Damien Lewis 6’3″ 332 LBS (SR)

• Started all 13 games for the Tigers in 2018 after transferring in as a JUCO

RT #76 Austin Deculus 6’7″ 322 LBS (JR)

• Returns after starting final 11 games at Right Tackle in 2018

If the Gators treat this experienced front from LSU the same way they’ve treated their other opponents in 2019, Florida football can start looking ahead to the SEC Championship Game. This offensive line will provide the best test the Gators have faced upfront in 2019.

Defensive Breakdown

Key players:

• DE Glen Logan (JR)
• DE Rashard Lawrence (SR)
• NT Tyler Shelvin (SO)
• LB Jacob Phillips (JR)
• CB Derek Stingley (FR)
• S Grant Delpit (JR)

Defensive Line

Starting DE Rashard Lawrence (SR) and DE Glen Logan (JR) have both missed the last three games dealing with injuries and LSU does not expect them to start in for tonight’s game.

However, each player is expected to take snaps at some point tonight.

Expect DE Breiden Fehoko (SR) and DE Neil Farrell (JR) start at defensive end in their place against the Gators.

NT Tyler Shelvin (SO) stands a 6’3″, 346 LBS and will present a large challenge for a Florida offensive line that has struggled at times this season.

NT Joseph Evans (FR) should have some impact as well.

Linebackers

MLB Jacob Phillips (JR) is among the best linebackers in the SEC with 40 total tackles in 2019.

MLB Michael Divinity Jr. (SR) has been dealing with an injury but backup MLB Damone Clark has filled in by racking up the second-most tackles on the team. Divinity is expected to play against Florida.

Backup MLB Patrick Queen (JR) is the fifth leading tackler on the team with 20 tackles.

K’Lavon Chaisson (SO) will start at OLB.

Ray Thornton (JR) will start on the opposite OLB spot.

Secondary

According to the LSU Communications Department, freshman sensation CB Derek Stingley Jr. is only the tenth true freshman to start a season opener on defense at LSU in the last 33 years.

Stingley has lived up to the five-star billing and looks to be LSU’s next great corner.

Kristian Fulton (SR) will start across from Stingley at corner.

S Grant Delpit (JR) is among the most experienced members on the team with 19 consecutive starts.

S JaCoby Stevens (JR) is tied for second on the defense with 23 tackles.

Special Teams

K Cade York may be a true freshman, but he’s off to a great start. York is 7-for-8 on field goals and 34-for-35 on PATs through five games in 2019.

York was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week after a perfect night in Texas. He connected on field goals of 33, 36 and 40 yards as well as all four PATs.

The Tigers’ young kicker is offset by their old punter.

P Zach Von Rosenberg is 29 years old, the fifth-oldest player in college football at the moment. He came to LSU after a six-year career as a minor league baseball player.

LSU has scored a couple of times on special teams this season.

WR Trey Palmer returned a punt for 54 yards for a touchdown against Northwestern State. The next week against, Vandy, LB Micah Bakersville blocked and recovered a punt in the end zone.

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