On Saturday night in The Swamp, one or both teams will do something petty to stoke this already heated rivalry between LSU and Florida. Make no mistake, these schools hate each other.
I know hate is a strong word, but in this case it very much fits.
These two programs first met in 1937. The Tigers shut out the Gators 19-0. This is a sneaky good rivalry that has some interesting history behind it. For instance: In 1960 the Gators stole the wristband that LSU QB Jimmy Field used to call plays. It happened after a big sack of Field. Somewhere in the pile a Florida player managed to swipe the wristband.
We all remember hurricane Mathew in 2016 causing the game to be delayed until November. Matthew wasn't the first storm to stall this rivalry. Hurricane Hilda interrupted the game in 1964. The Gators would go on to win that matchup 20-8, led by Heisman Trophy winner Steve Spurrier. Remember in 2007 the riverboat gambler was born? Then LSU Coach Les Miles went for it on fourth down five times in a game. The Tigers wound up five-for-five and won the game 28-24.
The "shoe throw" game is one of the more wild installments in this rivalry. With then No. 6 Florida well in contention for a spot in the College Football Playoff as they welcomed an unranked and scuffling LSU squad that had a true freshman (Max Johnson) making his debut as the starting QB. The Gators had stopped LSU on 3rd down and appeared to be forcing a Tigers punt that would have all but ended the game. But that’s when Marco Wilson grabbed a shoe, that had fallen off the foot of TE Kole Taylor, and sent it flying downfield. Wilson was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, obviously, and the Tigers drive continued. Ultimately it was LSU kicker Cade York nailing a career-long 57 yard field goal through the dense fog to give a stunning 37-34 victory and destroying the Gators’ hopes for a CFP big.
And lest we forget last year’s wild shootout in Baton Rouge, with Tyrion Davis-Price running wild for a school-record 287 yards in the Tigers’ 49-42 victory. LSU had already been left for dead after the announcement that Coach O and the school would part ways after the season.
The Tigers have won the last three matchups against Florida. The Gators were ranked in each of the Tigers wins over the past three seasons. LSU has won seven of the last ten. The Gators do, however, own the series at 33-32-3. That’s as close as it gets.
It's not a matter of if something wild or petty will happen in the Swamp sometime Saturday evening, it's a matter of how wild or petty it’s going to be. Expect it!
Florida Coach Billy Napier might have a point to prove. Napier took over the Florida program after being passed over by LSU for their head coach vacancy. Napier was highly successful at UL before going to Gainesville. A good portion of the Bayou Bengal faithful wanted Napier over the eventual selection of current coach Brian Kelly. If Florida beats LSU, those that were pro-Napier will let their voices be heard.
UF is favored by 2.5 points over LSU. Oddsmakers are basically telling you: Stay away from this line. This matchup is effectively a "pick em" game and could go either way. Sounds about right!
Expect this one to have some quirks and go down to the wire.
My prediction: Boo and hiss at me all you want, Tiger fans, but I'm going with Florida to win this. I am staying consistent with my lack of faith in the Tigers offense. Florida is no Tennessee offensively but they are better than LSU.
Gators 19, Tigers 17.
