It’s hard for me to think of two teams I like to see play against each other more than LSU and the University of Florida.
College GameDay might be in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for the University of Michigan and Michigan State University game, but give me the Tigers’ matchup against the Gators at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Tiger Stadium 10 times out of 10.
LSU and Florida aren’t battling it out for a prize as grand as the Paul Bunyan Trophy. However, they have developed one of college football’s most underappreciated rivalries, and it’ll be played under the stars in Death Valley.
The first thing worth noting is LSU and Florida are good football teams. Yes, both teams had disappointing 2014 seasons. In fact, Florida has endured several disappointing seasons since Urban Meyer departed, but both teams have a history of success.
Since 2003, each team has two national titles. Florida has the most wins in Southeastern Conference Championship Game history with seven, and LSU has the third most with four.
In other words, when these teams meet, there’s normally a lot on the line for at least one party, if not both. There are great games between average teams, but great games between great teams will always be great.
In 2015, both teams have excelled, boasting unblemished records and some of the finest players in the country.
The Tigers and Gators do a great job of fulfilling another hallmark of rivalries: close games.
Since 2004, six of the teams’ 11 meetings were decided by a single possession, and five of those six games were decided by four points or less. Close games might be stressful for fans of the teams, but they’re exciting.
For neutrals, there’s nothing better than a game that goes down to the wire. I can’t imagine anyone being bored watching fourth-and-Hester in 2007, although I’m sure Florida fans wish they could unsee those images.
Even in the games that didn’t come down to a single score, there was plenty of entertainment. My jaw dropped to the floor when I saw then-freshman Tim Tebow throw a jump pass for a touchdown against the Tigers in 2006.
In 2011, former LSU punter Brad Wing’s 52-yard touchdown run on a fake punt was called back because he celebrated while entering the endzone. How many times have you ever seen a punter get an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for taunting an opponent en route to scoring a touchdown?
Looking back, it seems like something that could only happen when LSU and Florida get together.
A little bit of beef never hurt a rivalry, and the debate about which program is “DBU” continues to rage on. Both programs claim to be DBU with hype videos and players that have chipped in with tweets. All it does is add a little bit of fuel to an already healthy fire.
Another iconic moment is sure to materialize in this game based on precedent and the sheer amount of talent each team has.
I’ve already got my popcorn ready for Saturday’s game because it’s going to be a show.
Jack Woods is a 22-year-old mass communication senior from Ruston, Louisiana. You can reach him on Twitter @Jack_TDR.