What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?
Tiger fans will find out Saturday when its revamped LSU offense meets Florida’s Southeastern Conference-leading defense.
Florida (4-1, 2-0 SEC) brings in a defense that combines size and speed, which might remind a few people of LSU (5-1, 2-1 SEC) defenses from the past couple of seasons.
“It’s the No. 1 defense against the No. 1 offense. It’s going to be a great matchup,” said senior linebacker Lamin Barrow.
The Gator defense is coming in to Tiger Stadium having allowed more than 20 points only once this season, against Miami in a 21-17 loss.
Florida mixes a stout run defense with a ball-hawking secondary to shut down opposing offenses. The Gators are only allowing 2.78 yards per carry and have intercepted eight passes while only allowing 760 yards in the air through their first five games.
Florida’s defense has allowed less points than they have drives on the season.
The Gator defense will be forced to slow down an LSU offense that has been clicking on all cylinders this season, scoring 30 or more points in all three SEC games so far — something they did only twice last season.
Senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger is ranked No. 4 in passer efficiency in the nation and No. 1 in the SEC in the same category. Mettenberger is also on pace to break school records for both passing yards and touchdowns.
With a signature win against the SEC’s top-ranked defense, Mettenberger could bolster his already growing Heisman campaign.
LSU coach Les Miles said if Mettenberger were thrown into the Heisman race, he expects Mettenberger would be able to deal with the increased scrutiny and pressure.
“I would expect that Zach would handle that kind of scrutiny pretty well, considering the things that he’s already kind of handled very well in this season,” Miles said. “I think you’ll find that all those people that are in the running for national awards, their team does extremely well. If that continues, I think that there will be a large number of national awards for Zach as well as other guys.”
Mettenberger said he relies on his teammates to make him look good, and he isn’t worried about any of the individual awards he might receive, focusing solely on team achievements.
“What he’s doing is facilitating victory,” Miles said. “So some days throwing for 250 [yards] is not enough. You’re going to have to throw for 300. It’s based on what’s needed for victory.”
Though most of the praise has gone to the new and improved passing game, LSU’s running game has continued to excel. Sophomore running back Jeremy Hill has averaged 7.5 yards per carry on his way to 594 yards and nine touchdowns this season.
Junior running back Kenny Hilliard re-emerged from the depths of the running back rotation during the Mississippi State game scoring three touchdowns on only six carries.
The running game will have its hands full against the Florida run defense, which is allowing just 65 yards per game — first in the SEC.
“[Florida] is the No. 1 team defensively in the league. They’re allowing 12 points, 217 yards, 65 yards rushing and 152 yards passing,” Miles said. “They lead in all major defensive categories. I don’t underestimate our offense, nor do I underestimate [offensive coordinator] Cam [Cameron]. I think he’s a great coach. … We look forward to welcoming Florida to Tiger Stadium, and we expect that it will be a loud, very, very home-team friendly crowd.”
“It’s the No. 1 defense against the No. 1 offense, it’s going to be a great matchup.”
No. 9 LSU vs. No. 17 Florida
2:30 p.m Saturday
Tiger Stadium
CBS, 98.1 FM