Florida football: Florida vs LSU breakdown from an LSU writer

To help preview Florida football’s matchup against LSU, we asked some questions to an LSU writer to find out what we can expect this weekend.

LSU has been one of Florida’s biggest rivals for years, and their games are always close and filled with fiery competition. In order to win, you have to understand your opponent.

Check out a preview of LSU down below. You can check out our answers to their questions here.

Florida football: Q & A with an LSU writer

– This rivalry has been close almost every year. What’s the general confidence level among Tiger fans that you guys will come away with a win?
After last week, I’ve got to be honest, there’s not much confidence in the fan base right now. Tennessee exposed everything that was wrong with LSU and the Vols showed just how quickly things can go south when this team goes down. I think there’s a general feeling that Florida is just as inconsistent as the Tigers and the history that you alluded to in your question further validates the belief this game will be close. LSU can come away with a win in the Swamp — they have the capability to do so — but I wouldn’t say there’s much confidence at all.

– What’s the likelihood that you guys bounce back strong after a tough loss to Tennessee?
It all depends. I know that sounds like a cop-out considering the question, it’s just so hard to know which LSU team will show up. We’re talking about a team that basically doubled up Mississippi State and a team that got beat by four touchdowns at home against Tennessee. Inconsistent doesn’t even begin to describe it. It’s my belief that LSU will play a much cleaner game than it did against the Vols. It’s hard to get much worse though. If the history of this rivalry has shown us anything it’s that the Tigers and Gators will go out there and put everything on the line when they face off against each other. If LSU can limit its mistakes, it’ll be considered a strong rebound regardless of the result.

– We all know Jayden Daniels and Boutte, but who else will the Gator defense need to worry about?
The players that the Florida defense will have to worry about will depend on LSU Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock’s approach in this game. It’s my belief that the Tigers will try and run the ball after last week’s abysmal showing. The return of left tackle Will Campbell will also help open up gaps in the trenches. If this is the case, the Bayou Bengals’ three-headed monster at running back will be something to watch out for on Saturday. Josh Williams will more than likely be the lead back, but don’t let that fool you. Penn State transfer Noah Cain and senior John Emery Jr. are very capable running backs. Each of them possesses big-play abilities, it’s the former that’ll really grind down your defensive line though.

If LSU tries to get something going in the passing game, Malik Nabers has actually proven to be more lethal than Kayshon Boutte this year. Jayden Daniels and Nabers have developed some fantastic chemistry and he’s the reliable target on third down. Jack Bech can also do a lot of damage to the opposition if Brian Kelly and Daniels get him involved on offense.

– What players on the Gators could give LSU the most trouble?
I don’t know why, but I feel like the Gators’ two running backs will give LSU fits. The Tigers’ front seven is fantastic and they’ve done an excellent job stopping the run this season. Auburn’s Robby Ashford killed LSU early on with his dual-threat abilities. Anthony Richardson is a much bigger threat, so I just worry the Tigers will prepare to contain Richardson and the Florida receivers. Montrell Johnson and Trevor Etienne are fantastic on the ground and if LSU doesn’t play to contain them, the visitors could be in for some trouble. I also really worry about the Gators’ talented secondary and how Daniels will fare against them.

– Who are LSU’s playmakers on defense that AR will have to work hard to beat?
If he plays this week — he’s healthy, LSU just didn’t play him against Tennessee for some reason — Harold Perkins is an absolute menace. The freshman is one of the best young players in the country. The reason I list him before the others is because I believe he’ll have a point to prove on Saturday after being sidelined against the Vols for much of the game. BJ Ojulari’s talent speaks for itself as one of the highest-graded defensive linemen in the country, as well. Safety Jay Ward had a really bad week against Tennessee, but he’s been outstanding for LSU this season. He’s one of the difference makers for Matt House’s defense.

Those three will get theirs. If we’re talking about the three most vital players on defense, look for Micah Baskerville, Joe Foucha, and Mekhi Wingo to play key roles. These are some of the more underrated names for the Tigers. Baskerville will likely be the one tasked with containing Richardson on the ground. Foucha will slot into the secondary up top alongside Ward to help lock down the air. Wingo is one of the decisive factors in the run game. If you hear those three mentioned a lot on Saturday, it’s likely because the Gators are struggling on offense.

– What have you seen from LSU to bounce back from their week one loss to now winning 4 of their last 5?
The offense made a lot more of its chances and became significantly more versatile. Obviously, two of those games were locks against Southern and New Mexico, so when you take that into account the winning streak doesn’t look as impressive. Regardless, LSU showed the ability to win in multiple different ways against those two, Mississippi State and Auburn. The response was very telling and the Tigers even catapulted themselves into the AP Top 25. However, now it feels as if all of that hard work was for nothing after the Bayou Bengals were undone by Tennessee. This is the start of a whole new part of the season for LSU. The Tigers need to have an impressive outing at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium or they could be in big, big trouble given the fact that they have Ole Miss, Alabama, Arkansas, and Texas A&M still on their schedule.

– Game prediction: Who wins and by how much?
I made an official prediction for this game in a piece earlier in the week and I’m going to stick to it. As much as it pains me to say it, I like Florida to win by less than a touchdown. I won’t ride with LSU again in a prediction until I see some consistency across the board.

Keep up with Florida football at Hail Florida Hail.