The stadium went quiet. 

The Gators had 1:56 left in a tied ball game. After a failed third-down conversion, the LSU offense was forced to punt. The crowd erupted. Thousands of Florida fans were celebrating a game-changing stop. As the offense suited up, ready to win the game, the crowd fell silent. 

All eyes followed Kole Taylor’s cleat as it soared through the air. Prior to the punt, Florida defensive back Marco Wilson, removed Taylor’s shoe and sent it flying. The act of intimidation quickly made him one of the most hated players in Florida history. 

As the footwear glided across the sky, a barrage of flags scattered the field. Unsportsmanlike conduct rang through the hollow stadium. Tons of Gator fans looked on in woe as their chances of victory disappeared. 

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LSU used up the clock before kicking a game-winning field goal. The game was thrilling and absorbed the national spotlight. However, the most important part, for both fanbases, was that the game perfectly portrayed how serious the LSU and Florida rivalry is.  

Second year head coach Brian Kelly seems to understand the bitter matchup. Kelly explained in his Monday presser that the game won’t be easy and LSU will have to fight.  

“It’s the same thing about what last week was about… it was a preparation week for us. So, this week will be the same, we need to prepare,” Kelly said.  

The matchup has a history of violent and malicious tensions.  

No two teams can match Florida and LSU’s parallel records. Each team has 33 career wins against the other.

An odd number would give one team the edge, but they’ve tied on three separate occasions. While LSU later had three wins vacated, making the official record 30-33-3, both fanbases understand how serious the struggle is. 

The skirmish has gone on for nearly 86 years and neither side has yet to waiver. 

It doesn’t matter the record, strength of schedule or roster; when LSU plays Florida, both teams elevate.  

The history between the two teams is so close because they refuse to bend. They refuse to let the other team get a head. The rivalry is consistent because each team’s determination to be better than the other, regardless of rankings or rosters.  

LSU has a four-game winning streak against Florida, and looks to improve it this weekend. LSU enters this week with a 6-3 record, and Florida a 5-4. While some might assume the Tigers are going to cash in their seventh victory of the season, be prepared. Death Valley is going to host a brawl Saturday.

Notable Matchups: 

2020

LSU had a losing 3-5 record entering its week ten matchup. Florida had a successful season, entering the game with an impressive 8-1 record and being the sixth ranked team in the nation.  

The first two quarters were a back and forth between the Tigers and Florida. The Gators quickly reset the game and dominated the third quarter, outscoring LSU 31-27. With momentum, home field advantage and a much better team, Florida was expected to close out the game and earn their ninth victory.  

The Tigers outscored Florida 10-3 in the fourth, thanks to Cade York and the “cleat yeet”. The game sent Florida on a three-game losing streak, which included a loss in the SEC Championship game, removing them from a chance to win a National Championship, and a loss in its bowl game.  

2018

In Joe Burrow’s first year, LSU was the fifth-ranked team in the nation. Finally, the Tigers looked to be back at a competitive level. The team had issues, but this year it seemed like they could make waves.

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LSU was 5-0 entering Week 6. The program faced the seventh and eighth ranked team in the nation, winning both games. It earned its spot as the fifth ranked team and had no fear entering Gainesville, Florida.  

Florida was ranked 20th in the nation. While it was a great team, the Gators weren’t dominant. The 4-1 Gators were taking on one of the best teams. Even though they had home field advantage, they were still expected to lose. 

However, the rivalry doesn’t care about rankings. 

Florida went on to win 27-19, demoting LSU to the No. 13 team. This would be one of three SEC losses for the Tigers, which eliminated them from the SEC Championship game and the playoffs. 

2012

LSU was in its eighth year of the Les Miles experiment. Fresh off a loss in the BCS National Championship, the Tigers only had one goal: beat Alabama and win another championship. The program started the season off hot, entering the Florida matchup undefeated. 

The Tigers were ranked No. 4 in the country. They had playmakers like Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry and Jeremy Hill on offense. The defense was even better, with Jalen Mills, Eric Reid and Kevin Minter. 

It doesn’t matter who the Tigers have, or what their ranking is, playing Florida is tough. They entered Gainesville and lost to No. 12 Florida, 14-6. Despite offensive talent, the Tigers were unable to produce anything. LSU lost two more times that season and finished 10-3. 

The matchup between two strong SEC teams has produced a vicious rivalry. Regardless of one team’s prior success, the other will elevate itself to tear the other down. This cycle of tough matchups has occurred for decades and looks to continue this Saturday.

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