Florida vs. LSU: GatorMaven staff picks and predictions!

How does the GatorMaven-Sports Illustrated staff see Florida vs. LSU going down?

The biggest game of Florida's season to date is set to kickoff in Death Valley, at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA, tonight at 8 P.M.

The No. 7 Gators (6-0, 3-0 SEC) will face off against the No. 5 LSU Tigers and red hotquarterback Joe Burrow for their second Top 10 matchup in as many weeks. It will be a true iron-sharpening-iron test between LSU's high-scoring (54.6 points per game) offense and Florida's elite defense. Either something has to give there, or perhaps the more important matchup will become Florida's offense vs. LSU's defense.

How does the GatorMaven staff see the game going? Will Florida cover the near-two touchdown spread? Here are our predictions.

Zach Goodall: LSU 27, Florida 24 

This is the first time I've predicted that Florida would lose this season, and if the game is as close as this score would indicate, it'll be the only time I pick against Florida at all this year.

While Florida has a good enough defense to be able to slow Burrow down a bit, he's been the most efficient quarterback in the nation this year, and is strong throwing into areas where Florida might struggle covering - the middle of the field. Pair any momentum Burrow finds with the atmosphere of Death Valley, and the game begins to go LSU's way. 

It'll be close until the end, and the score will never come close to the two-touchdown spread, but I have a feeling Florida walks out of Death Valley with one in the loss column tonight.

Graham Marsh: Florida 30. LSU 28

I like the Gators in an upset here. Historically, Florida wins this rivalry in years that it counts. This is one of those years. Joe Burrow and Co. haven’t played a defense this good and it’s going to show. Look for one of the best games in college football this season and a late Evan McPherson field goal to ice it. 

Ainslie Lee: Florida 28, LSU 24

If I’m being honest, this game scares me — because I have no idea what’s going to happen. 

In my eyes, Joe Burrow and the Tigers’ offense is not as good as everyone makes them out to be. I know, I know, they beat Texas. But if you believed Ehlinger when he said the Longhorns we’re back, that’s on you. That team just isn’t that attractive. And the rest of LSU’s schedule thus far? Forget about it. Burrow is good. But anyone could be against those defenses. Burrow will really have to think about where he wants to go with the ball on Saturday because Florida’s DBs should be able to lock down the back half of the field. And that allows the Gators’ defensive front go to work. 

Offensively, Trask must limit those turnovers. The heat will be coming — and the Gators can afford a sack or two, but not a turnover or two. Not in Death Valley. Mullen’s game management will overshadow the Death Valley crazies while Todd Grantham’s defense will deflate the LSU offense. Gators survive Death Valley.

Ethan Budowsky: Florida 24, LSU 21

I don’t usually like to make predictions because of how quick they can come back to haunt me but I have a really weird feeling about this game. 

I really think there’s something to be said about the level of competition LSU has faced to this point and the Gators are going to give them the test they have yet to have. I can see Florida forcing Joe Burrow into a couple of mistakes and winning. 

I think this game comes down to coaching in the end because of how little there is to separate these teams in terms of talent, and Florida always wins the coaching battle. I don’t know why, but I think the Gators win.

Victor Prieto: LSU 14, Florida 13

Dan Mullen and Florida face their most difficult challenge of the season as they enter Death Valley tonight, at night. 

Just as the Swamp propelled the Gators to a victory last week over Auburn, LSU’s home-field advantage is sure to aid the Tigers in their pursuit of revenge on Florida. Joe Burrow and the LSU offense have been one of the nation's best units in the nation, recently breaking the conference’s scoring record, posting 273 points in five games. Burrow’s Heisman-worthy season faces its most difficult task yet, though, confronting a motivated and healthy Gator defense which leads the NCAA in takeaways. 

This is sure to be a defensive battle, with Florida’s defense keeping it a close game throughout. Despite the Gators' success on defense, Death Valley’s atmosphere will be too much for Kyle Trask and the Gator offense. A few big plays may make it close but it still won’t be enough to pull off the upset. 

Donavon Keiser: Florida 31, LSU 27 

Both offenses will be the driving factor for this game, and I think UF’s defense will do just enough to stop LSU in the closing minutes to survive the treacherous Death Valley. 

I think UF catches LSU off guard, as this week I haven’t been impressed with how LSU players have handled the game by talking trash all week. It’s one thing to have confidence after beating some top teams, but LSU truly hasn’t played anyone besides a Texas team that has a terrible defense. LSU will have trouble moving the ball, and I think the Gators finally establish a running game against a very mediocre LSU front seven. RB Lamical Perine should be rejuvenated after breaking that 88-yard touchdown last week, and I think we’ll see QB Kyle Trask play well as long as the offensive line isn’t awful. 

Regardless, the key to the game is turnovers and I see LSU making quite a few of them. I wouldn’t be surprised if Florida’s edge rushers record a strip-sack, and I’m personally guaranteeing at least one interception from Joe Burrow. Dan Mullen will do some things to set the run game up, and I think we’ll see a healthy dose of Emory Jones if the Gators need a spark at some point. 

The Gators defense has been phenomenal all year and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham will make the proper adjustments at the half to keep the LSU offense stagnant late in the game. Gators win on an early 4th Quarter drive, and the defense holds the lead until the clock hits 0:00.