Tiger Predictions: LSU edges Florida in back and forth battle on a Louisiana Saturday Night
As anticipation grows with every passing hour for Saturday night to finally arrive, the minds of every LSU and Florida fan are filled with different possibilities and outcomes.
Some might think it'll be a nail-biting win, others a convincing blowout. Maybe some believe it'll be another statement performance in the Joe Burrow for Heisman discussion. Or maybe the LSU defense will string together back-to-back great performances and establish itself as a legit SEC defense, making LSU one of the most well-rounded teams in all of college football.
The possibilities are endless, but here's how we think it's going to go this weekend.
Score Prediction: LSU 34, Florida 24
No. 5 LSU strolls into Death Valley as near two touchdown favorites over the Gators on Saturday, which admittedly seems a little high. The LSU offense has been stellar thus far, there's no denying that, but a legitimate question can be raised as to the quality of defense it's faced through five weeks.
Ed Orgeron said as much on Thursday, admitting this weekend will be the first real test for this LSU team, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.
"We've played five games and we really only played one tough game," Orgeron said. "We haven't played tough teams back-to-back, haven't got to the meat of our schedule yet so we're going to find out about this team Saturday night."
According to NCAA stats, the Tigers have faced only one team that ranks inside the top-100 in total defense, Georgia Southern, currently ranked No. 60. Not to slight Georgia Southern, but the Tigers hung up 55 points on the Eagles to open the season.
How the offense performs
This will be the biggest test the offense has faced this season and there will be a number of area's to watch in the first half. Perhaps most important is how the offensive line will stack up with one of the elite defensive lines in the country.
Florida enters Saturday with 24 sacks, good for second best in the nation. LSU center Lloyd Cushenberry said earlier in the week that the o-line is taking this game to heart, especially after allowing 11 tackles for a loss, five sacks and eight quarterback pressures in Gainesville last season.
If the offensive line can hold up, the next most important area is to establish some kind of running game early. The Tigers were able to do this last week against Utah State, averaging five yards a carry. LSU will rely heavily on junior back Clyde Edwards-Helaire but don't be surprised to see freshmen John Emery and Tyrion Davis-Price get involved early as well.
Attacking Florida through the ground will do wonders for Joe Burrow and the passing game, which will continue to be stellar against the Gators Saturday night. If Burrow can pass for over 300 yards and attach three scores to the yardage, it will be a good night for the Tigers in Death Valley.
How the defense performs
The LSU defense is clearly coming off its best performance of the young 2019 season, holding Utah State and potential first round pick Jordan Love to six points while turning Love over three times.
Florida's offense isn't elite by any stretch of the imagination as a weak offensive line and unbalanced run game will be areas the defense will try to attack while getting some help back in the process.
Orgeron said linebacker Michael Divinity would make a return at outside linebacker, a position where he's played most of his career. Defensive ends Rashard Lawrence and Glen Logan are also candidates to make a return, but in a reserve role Orgeron revealed on Saturday.
The one thing Florida has on offense is SEC wide receivers with experience and height. It will be a test for the secondary to prove if all of those tackling issues and inconsistent play are truly in the past.
