LSU and Florida are meeting for the 72nd time on Saturday night. For a long time, this game was played on the first or second Saturday in October. We’ve seen these two teams play in November, but it’s been a long time since they last met in September. It’s only the third time these two teams have met in September and the first time since 1984.
Another fun fact: the series is tied at 34-34 and 3, and Florida has not won a night game in Tiger Stadium since 2009.
The Gators were ranked number one that season, and LSU was ranked 4th. Tim Tebow threw a touchdown pass and Aaron Hernandez caught six passes for 70 yards.
Here are the big storylines to watch in the SEC opener for both teams.
DJ Lagway needs to lead the way for Florida
For Florida to have a chance to pull off the upset, their sophomore quarterback from Texas needs to have a good game. Lagway has been battling injuries during his time in Gainesville. Last year, it was a hamstring injury. In the spring, he had a shoulder injury plus a sports hernia. During fall camp, he injured his calf. Lagway has the physical tools to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country, but practice makes perfect, and the 20-year-old has missed a lot of practice.
The lack of playing time has led to accuracy problems, as well as issues reading defenses, and he appears to be a little overweight. When Lagway is on his game, he can burn opposing defenses with deep passes.
Revenge game for Garrett Nussmeier
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier lived in Gainesville during his childhood, but he doesn’t have any blue and orange pom poms. Nussmeier’s dad, Doug Nussmeier, spent three seasons as the offensive coordinator at Florida until he was fired following the 2017 season.
Nussmeier’s return to Gainesville last year was rough, as Florida sacked him seven times and pressured him a bunch. Much of the pressure came up the middle as center DJ Chester and Paul Mubenga, filling in for an injured Garrett Dellinger, struggled.
Good news for LSU, starting center Braelin Moore is expected to play, but the Gators are expecting Caleb Banks to play for the first time this season. Banks was responsible for seven quarterback hurries and a sack in the last meeting against LSU. An ankle injury sidelined Banks for the first two games.
Tyreak Sapp was the other defensive lineman who hurt LSU last year. He had a career-high eight total tackles and four tackles for a loss.
Tigers' offense looks to get on track
It’s been a slow start for LSU’s offense as they’ve only scored 40 points in two games, the fewest in the SEC. The Tigers have a new offensive line, a couple of new receivers, and a new tight end, and they are still searching for consistency in the run game. Maybe we’ll see a little more Harlem Berry this week as the Tigers try to diversify their run game to keep opposing defenses off balance.
LSU has made eight trips into the red zone, but only scored four touchdowns. The Tigers will likely be without one of their best targets in the red zone; six-foot-seven tight end Trey’Dez Green has an injured knee.
LSU’s defense versus Jaden Baugh
It’s been a great start to the season for LSU’s defense, but they will be tested by Florida’s Jaden Baugh, who might be the best running back in the SEC. Baugh is the strongest player on the team pound-for-pound. He’s also elusive, with good vision, and is not easy to tackle. Through two games this season, he’s averaged seven yards a carry behind an experienced offensive line.
Florida desperately needs a win
The hot seat for head coach Billy Napier was turned up after a shocking loss to South Florida last Saturday. In his four years in Gainesville, the former Ragin Cajuns coach is 20-20 overall, 10-14 in the SEC. The Gators' win over LSU last year helped take the heat off Napier, but I’m not expecting a happy flight home for Florida this year.
Prediction
LSU wins 28-17.