The Daily Reveille sports staff shares their thoughts and score predictions ahead of LSU’s matchup with Florida.
Offense needs to continue progressing | Brandon Adam
It’s highly unlikely any new players emerge out of the blue over the next few weeks. LSU’s offense is established with a competent quarterback, two solid running backs, and a core four at wide receiver in sophomore Justin Jefferson, juniors Dee Anderson, Stephen Sullivan and freshman Ja’Marr Chase.
There have been sporadic contributions from senior tight end Foster Moreau, junior wide receivers Derrick Dillon, Jonathan Giles, sophomore Racey McMath and freshman wide receiver Terrace Marshall, but none of those players have a similar connection with junior quarterback Joe Burrow like the first group does.
The time is here for the offense to strap up with the guys they’ve found. No more mixing up the wide receiver units every series to see who does what. The team had five weeks to do that, and it is clear Anderson, Sullivan and Chase have earned their spots next to Jefferson on the first unit. Let Burrow continue developing his rhythm and timing with those guys over the next few weeks and watch as the offense trends towards full capacity against Florida, Georgia and Mississippi State.
Prediction: LSU 27, Florida 13
DBU needs to prove themselves | Kennedi Landry
There has been a constant debate between No. 5 LSU and No. 22 Florida about who is the real DBU.
Florida will be out to prove they deserve the title as well. After losing Marco Wilson to a season-ending foot injury, LSU has the edge at the position, but the Gators are in no way weak.
Cornerback Greedy Williams said earlier this week, “Stats don’t lie. We have the best DBs in the NFL.” The LSU defense shut down one of the SEC’s most potent passing attacks last week against Ole Miss, but the Tigers have to continue to hold down that DBU title.
Kristian Fulton and Kelvin Joseph have been solid opposite Williams and safety Grant Delpit continues to be defensive coordinator Dave Aranda’s most versatile weapon. In order to win this game, LSU’s DBs will need to shut down quarterback Feleipe Franks just like they did last year.
Prediction: LSU 17, Florida 7
Pass rush needs to step up | Glen West
One thing coach Ed Orgeron has not been happy with is the lack of pressure that is being put on opposing teams quarterbacks.
When the Tigers No.1 pass rush option K’Lavon Chaisson went out in game one, Orgeron expected there to be a by committee approach to the pass rush attack. Junior linebacker Michael Divinity and sophomore linebacker Andre Anthony have taken most of the reps to fill the slot held by Chaisson.
The two have combined for 3.5 sacks, three of which are owned by Divinity and 5.5 tackles for a loss.
Building Respect | Chris Caldarera
LSU was not on anyone’s playoff radar at the beginning of the season. In fact, ESPN senior writer Heather Dinich wrote a column titled, “The only 14 teams that can win the College Football Playoff,” and LSU was not included in this elite preseason group. Interestingly enough, Miami and Auburn, two teams LSU has already defeated this season, were both included.
Now that the Tigers have made it through the month of September unblemished, the pollsters have recognized LSU’s potential, but the pundits are still hesitant to buy into the Tigers. Dinich even wrote a more recent column titled, “The nine teams that still have a chance at the CFP title,” but LSU only appeared in the “other teams” section as a courtesy for still being undefeated.
The Tigers still have a long road to truly prove their doubters wrong, but Saturday’s game road game against the No. 22 Florida Gators could go a long way towards building respect among the talking heads in sports media. Should the Tigers defeat the Gators in The Swamp, it would represent the LSU’s third win against a ranked opponent this year and bring the team one step closer to an undefeated record before No. 2 Georgia comes to town.
Though the pundits will never commit to the Tigers until they prove their worth against Georgia and Alabama, if LSU’s continued success will become harder to ignore.
Prediction: LSU 24 Florida 21