The rivalry between LSU and Florida regularly has commanded national attention since the two programs became
adversaries in 1971. 
Only three times in that span have the Tigers and Gators shared a field as unranked opponents — the last time was in 1989. 
2014 will be the fourth. 
This season’s edition may not be a marquee matchup, but it represents an opportunity for the potential revival of two struggling teams whose recent lackluster performances dented the teams’ respective hopes.
“I’ve kind of recognized there’s so much to gain on days like today,” said LSU coach Les Miles at his weekly press conference Monday. “There’s so much room to improve. There’s so much a program like this could take and learn from.“
LSU (4-2, 0-2 Southeastern Conference) finds itself in unfamiliar territory after losing its first two SEC games by a combined score of 75-36 while allowing 426 yards of total offense more than it has gained. 
The losses mark the first time LSU has opened conference play with an 0-2 record since 2001, when the Tigers dropped back-to-back games to Tennessee and Florida. The Tigers have never lost three straight games under Miles.
“With an opportunity to get back in the game [against
Auburn], we fell short … so I’m disappointed,” Miles said. “I certainly understand the position that we’re in, but I like my team. I like how they will respond, and that to me is the most important piece.”
Meanwhile, Florida (3-1, 2-1 SEC) enters the weekend ranked second in the SEC East, but only after mustering nail-biting wins against Kentucky and Tennessee. 
Both LSU and Florida enter this weekend with question marks at quarterback, a problem position for both teams this season.
After leading the Tigers on seven consecutive touchdown drives against New Mexico State, LSU freshman quarterback Brandon Harris completed three of his 14 pass attempts for 58 yards in his first career start last weekend against Auburn.
Harris regularly overthrew his receivers, and his sub par performance caught his teammates off guard.
“He’s a guy who makes those passes effortlessly,” said LSU sophomore wide receiver Travin Dural. “Being that he wasn’t too successful on Saturday shocked me, because I know what kind of player he is, and we’ve seen him make those throws the past couple of weeks. It was just shocking. I just told him to keep his head up and keep moving forward.”
Miles said he won’t announce whether Harris or sophomore quarterback Anthony Jennings will start against the Gators until this weekend.
Florida freshman quarterback Treon Harris was expected to earn his first career start this weekend after replacing senior Jeff Driskel in last weekend’s come-from-behind win against Tennessee, but Treon was suspended indefinitely  Monday after a Florida student accused him of sexual assault. 
As a result, Driskel will start his fifth game this season, despite chucking his way to a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 5-to-6 in his first four outings.
“It’s going to be interesting,” Miles said. “There’s probably an athletic element to Driskel as well, and he probably can run those things in a lesser fashion, maybe not as athletic [as Treon].”
But no matter how many turnovers Driskel has committed this season, Florida’s defense has found a way to force more. 
The Gators have forced 15 turnovers in their four games this season and holds the No. 4 spot in the country with an average turnover margin of two per game.
LSU will have to limit these turnovers and find a way to move the ball against what has emerged as one of the top rush defenses in the nation. 
Florida has allowed 103 rushing yards per game (No. 15 in the nation) and 2.8 yards per carry (No. 9 in the nation), and it’s one of just four teams in the country which have allowed only one touchdown on the ground this
season.   
Meanwhile, Miles and the Tigers maintain their defense is almost where they want it, despite allowing a combined 1,136 yards and 75 points to Mississippi State and Auburn.
“We’re close to where we need to be, especially as a defensive unit,” said LSU sophomore defensive end Lewis Neal. “It may not look like it to the outside. But from the inside, when we go over film, we don’t make many mistakes, just things that we have to get done. We’re executing the game plan.”
Miles remains confident in his squad’s ability to stay driven and improve week after week.
“With a lot of football left to play and the need for our guys to understand the direction we’re going, I think they will be very comfortable,” Miles said. “I can tell you the character in that room and that building, and the type of people that are there will certainly respond.”
You can reach Tyler Nunez on Twitter @Nunez_TDR.