Florida football: All you need to know for tonight’s game at LSU
Strap yourselves in and get ready for No. 7 Florida football in another top-10 showdown. This week, it’s No. 5 LSU.
Welcome to the Southeastern Conference and scheduling, Florida football fans.
Of course, many of us are already aware of the gauntlet most SEC teams have to face year in and year out.
It’s no different this season for Florida football.
The Gators, currently ranked No. 7 in the country, have already dispatched of then-No. 7 Auburn. Now, they have the second of three top-10 matchups this month when they take on No. 5 LSU tonight in Baton Rouge.
Just a reminder, the last top-10 matchup will be at the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party against No. 3 Georgia at the end of the month.
Here is all you need to know about tonight’s top-10 clash at Tiger Stadium:
Storylines
Florida: Well, if the infamous “Hurricane Game” doesn’t reignite that good old fashion hatred for LSU, Florida football fans might have to use LSU quarterback Joe Burrow’s hatred of Florida as motivation.
All SEC Football
The Gators will face a highly potent offense in LSU, which is the best passing offense in the Southeastern Conference and one of the best in the nation. However, the only real defense they’ve faced this season is Texas and it’s pretty suspect on whether the Longhorns are really that good on defense.
Meanwhile, for Florida football, it is about respect. Florida is 13-point dogs at Baton Rouge, which seems more a slap in the face by sportsbooks. Florida is coming off an impressive 24-13 win over then-No. 7 Auburn, where it dominated both sides of the ball against another prolific quarterback (kind of) in Bo Nix.
LSU: It really hasn’t been the same rivalry since Hurricane Matthew helps the Tigers bring a road game at Gainesville to a home game in Death Valley (at least Florida football fans haven’t forgotten).
Burrow has been mentioned as a possible Heisman Trophy favorite and that stock would only go up if he beats Florida football tonight. The only problem is, he’s not faced a defensive front like Florida’s all season.
It means, in order for LSU to prove itself of its current No. 5 ranking, they are going to have to go through the Gators’ defense — you can ask Auburn how that goes.
Headlines
- The Gators’ defense vs. LSU’s offense
- Gators injury report ahead of LSU match-up
- LSU injury report for game with Gators
- 5 LSU Tigers to watch Saturday
- LSU should worry about the Gators’ run
- 5 memorable games for the Gators against LSU
Connections
Florida football head coach Dan Mullen has faced off against LSU head coach Ed Orgeron three times while coaching at Mississippi State and offensive coordinator at Florida. Mullen was 2-1 against Orgeron, including a 37-7 win at Starkville while Mullen coached Mississippi State and Orgeron was at LSU.
Must Read. LSU's defense against Florida's offense. light
Florida football has a pair of Louisiana natives. Chester Kimbrough and Brad Stewart, Jr. are both from New Orleans.
Florida offensive coordinator John Hevesy worked with Orgeron at Syracuse in 1997. Hevesy was a GA while Orgeron coached the defensive line.
How to watch
- Time and date: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
- Where: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- TV: ESPN with Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Maria Taylor and Tom Rinaldi.
- Radio: Gator IMG Sports Network with Mick Hubert, Lee McGriff and Tate Casey.
- Satellite: Sirus 98/XM 207
The line
The resident Gator gambler, Derek Taylor says the line is LSU favored by 13, which seems pretty excessive if you ask me. You can read his betting recommendations here.
Cool stats, bro
According to sports-reference.com, here are some interesting stats related to the Florida football-LSU rivalry:
- Florida leads series, 33-29-3
- Record when both teams are ranked: Florida leads, 14-10-0
- Record when both teams are in the top 10: Florida leads, 3-2-0
- Record when only LSU is ranked: LSU leads, 9-4-2
- Record when only Florida is ranked: Florida leads, 10-5-0
- Longest winning streak by LSU: 4 games
- Longest winning streak by Florida: 9 games
- Most points scored by LSU: 48 (1971-10-09)
- Most points scored by Florida: 58 (1993-10-09)
- Largest margin of victory by LSU: +41 (1971-10-09)
- Largest margin of victory by Florida: +55 (1993-10-09)
The weather
The weather tonight is a bit unexpected, and somewhat out of the ordinary for Baton Rouge. According to The Weather Channel, the high today is expected to be no more than 70 degrees — odd because it’s been in the 80s all week and will be all next week — with nighttime lows reaching 59 degrees. The good news — no rain forecast.
The Last Line
It’s another instance where the Florida football defense will have to keep the Gators in the game. Florida shouldn’t be as reliant on the defense as it has before, but the defense should be prepared for Burrow to loft the ball around the field — or at least try to.
Offensively, Florida is facing a defense somewhat similar to that of Auburn. A few quick-strike plays can put a dagger in the heart of the Tigers.
It’s another day in the SEC.
dark. Next. Who's stock is and who is down this week?
No. 5 LSU will host No. 7 Florida at 8 p.m. at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.