Florida vs LSU: Preview, predictions, betting odds and live stream
No. 8 Florida Gators vs No. 6 LSU Tigers
The marquee matchup in the Southeastern Conference this weekend is a top-10 showdown between the LSU Tigers and Florida Gators on Saturday at Tiger Stadium.
The game will feature a pair undefeated teams atop their respective divisions in the SEC. LSU leads the Texas A&M Aggies by half-a-game in the SEC West. Meanwhile, the Gators hold a one-and-a-half game lead over the Kentucky Wildcats in the SEC East.
Despite both teams’ early-season dominance, however, they do not enter Saturday on an equal playing field.
Florida suspended freshman defensive back Deiondre Porter indefinitely following a disturbing arrest that included charges of aggravated battery, firing a weapon into a vehicle and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill. The arrest stems from an incident in which Porter allegedly fired a gun in the direction of his pregnant girlfriend.
As shocking and ugly as this incident is, however, it will not affect the Gators much on the field. What will affect them is the loss of starting quarterback Will Grier. Grier was suspended for one year after testing positive for a banned substance earlier this week, and the team will turn to sophomore Treon Harris under center.
LSU enters the contest on a much more positive note. The Tigers feature the most dominant rushing attack in the conference, led by Heisman Trophy frontrunner Leonard Fournette. They are also coming off of their best passing performance since the 2014 season opener, giving LSU the multidimensional offense it has been seeking all season long.
Details for Saturday’s game are below:
Date: Saturday, October 17th
Start Time: 6:00 p.m. CT
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Stadium: Tiger Stadium
TV Info: ESPN
Live Stream: Watch ESPN
Radio: Florida Gators Radio Network, LSU Tigers Radio Network
Ticket information: For Florida ticket info click here. For LSU ticket info click here.
Keys to Victory
Florida:
The Gators will need to find a way to slow down Leonard Fournette if they are going to keep the game within reach on Saturday. They certainly have the best opportunity to do so of any team LSU has faced this season, ranking second in the SEC in run defense. As evidenced by last week, though, all it takes is one defensive miscue for Fournette to break off a huge touchdown run and negate an otherwise solid defensive effort.
Florida will also need an impressive performance from Treon Harris, whose speed gives him the ability to be a threat both through the air and on the ground at the quarterback position.
LSU:
Avoiding turnovers, particularly interceptions, will be crucial for LSU against Florida. Starting quarterback Brandon Harris had the best game of his collegiate career last week against South Carolina, but that will be a difficult feat to replicate on Saturday. The Gators have a defensive secondary filled with playmakers, including two of the best cornerbacks in the nation in Vernon Hargreaves III and Jalen Tabor. Both players are capable of taking over a game on the defensive side of the ball if given the opportunity, allowing the Tigers little margin for error.
On the defensive side of the ball for LSU, getting constant pressure into the backfield will be a must. If the Tigers’ front seven can rattle Treon Harris, a blowout could be in the works.
Betting Odds
Point Spread: LSU -7.5
O/U: 47
Money Line: Florida +250
Related: Florida vs LSU betting odds – Our picks for Week 7
Prediction
The Gators may be facing an uphill battle on Saturday, but they still pose a serious threat to LSU. If they can get on the board early, this becomes even more true. The biggest issue for Florida will be whether or not they can match LSU’s production for four quarters.
The Tigers’ rushing attack will face its toughest test yet, but Leonard Fournette’s affinity for long touchdown runs, Derrius Guice’s emergence as a rising star and the development of a legitimate passing attack will be too much for the Gators to handle.
LSU pulls away late after a tightly-contested game.
LSU 34, Florida 27
Next: Florida vs LSU: What to expect in Week 7