LSU coach Ed Orgeron previews top-10 matchup with No. 7 Florida, noting Gator pass rush as 'best we've faced'

The Tigers will be facing their second top-10 opponent of the season Saturday, this time in Death Valley and this time against an SEC opponent.

And coach Ed Orgeron couldn't be more excited.

"Obviously we're excited about this game," Orgeron said. "Saturday night, 7 p.m., LSU-Florida. It doesn't get much better than that and it's going to be a big night for the LSU family. Dan Mullen has done a fantastic job, this is a well coached team and we have a lot of respect for coach Mullen and his whole staff.

Orgeron says Florida pass rush toughest team has faced this season

The strength of this Florida team lies within the front seven. Orgeron called defensive coordinator Todd Grantham "one of the best" in college football. The Gators rank No. 17 in the country in total defense, allowing 281 yards per game, 93 of which come through the run game.

Florida ranks No. 2 in the country in sacks with 24 recorded through five games of the season, despite not blitzing as much as in recent years. That speaks volumes to the level of talent the offensive line faces on Saturday.

Orgeron and the coaching staff are preparing for everything Grantham can throw in the offense's direction on Saturday, saying it's the toughest defensive line LSU has faced all season.

"We have to go back in his (Grantham) history," Orgeron said. "We have to be prepared for line stunts, for four man rush and blitzes. We have a lot work to do this week and there will be a lot of walkthroughs, a lot of film study."

Orgeron said one of the things the LSU offense must do this week in practice is simulate the speed of the Gators defensive linemen. As a way to practice, LSU will put its fastest players on the rush team and blitz them all week long.

"This is by far the best pass rush we've seen and we're going to be tested," Orgeron said. "I watched their game against Miami and it's a tremendous pass rush. Last year we did not pick up their pass rush very well so it's going to be a challenge for us."

Orgeron plans to use players like Justin Thomas, Michael Divinity and Marcel Brooks in that speed rush scheme this week in practice to prepare.

LSU has only scored 46 points on the Gator defense in its last three contests, with the Tigers mustering 19 points in 2018 and allowing 11 tackles for a loss and five sacks in Gainesville.

Injury updates for key LSU players

Orgeron also updated the health status of numerous LSU players that have missed recent games, with the hope of getting most of them back for the matchup with Florida on Saturday.

Senior defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence and senior linebacker Michael Divinity will both practice this week and Orgeron is hopeful that both will play Saturday. Divinity has been in and out of the lineup at first due to a suspension, before injuring his leg in the 66-38 win over Vanderbilt.

Lawrence has been out with an ankle injury that was suffered in the win over Northwestern State. Lawrence was close to a return before a minor setback last Wednesday ultimately kept him from playing against Utah State.

Fellow defensive lineman Glen Logan will practice on a limited basis this week with a decision on his playing status to come later in the week. If Logan is indeed out, Neil Farrell will continue to start in his absence. While talking with another coach, Orgeron mentioned it would be hard to keep Farrell out of the lineup if he made it to the starting group and he's proved it through his play so far.

Farrell has accounted for 22 tackles, two sacks and four tackles for a loss in five games this season for the Tigers.

Orgeron also said that freshman Cordale Flott was injured in the Tigers win over Utah State and might not play Saturday. The secondary has taken hit after hit with Todd Harris out for the season and now the freshman Flott looking like he's set to miss some time.

Starting left tackle Saahdiq Charles will be back in the lineup Saturday as Orgeron elected not to play the sophomore against Utah State as a coaches decision. Freshman Dare Rosenthal has filled in for Charles, who has missed three games this season and will likely continue to do so if Charles were to miss any future outings.

Orgeron wants crowd to show up loud and proud

Last year, Orgeron said the Florida crowd showed up and was as loud as any place the team played in 2018.

"That was probably the most hostile place we played and I wish it wouldn't have affected us but it did," Orgeron said.

With it now being three years since the Tigers have had the chance to host the Gators, combined with the fact that the game was officially sold out as of Monday morning, Orgeron is expecting a similar atmosphere on Saturday.

"I know our fans are going to be loud," Orgeron said. "Last year when we played Georgia our crowd affected the Georgia Bulldogs and we won that game. I would expect our crowd to provide a winning edge and at 7 p.m. at night they should be primed and ready to go."