No. 21 Florida has this game circled.
No. 16 LSU was originally scheduled to travel to Gainesville on Oct. 8. Then Hurricane Matthew made landfall, and rumors pinned the Gators as “scared” to play LSU as the game was eventually re-scheduled for Nov. 19 in Baton Rouge.
“Yeah, that part bothered me a little bit,” Florida safety Nick Washington said Monday to reporters in Gainesville. “They think we had a choice of avoiding this game when there’s a hurricane. Not just me, but a lot of my teammates — a lot of us had family in places where the hurricane was hitting. It kind of bothered us a little bit, but we had to let it go.”
And it didn’t take long before Washington said the Gainesville-based team was the real “DBU.”
“The LSU game is one of the biggest games for us each season,” Washington said. “I mean, we’re going to go into it with a little more of a chip on our shoulder because what’s been said in the media and whatnot. I know we’re ready to go.”
As LSU meets Florida (7-2, 5-2 Southeastern Conference), the chance to claim the self-proclaimed “Defensive Back University” title is up for grabs again as LSU has defeated Florida in three-straight years.
The Tigers (6-3, 4-2 SEC) will host the Gators at noon on Saturday at Tiger Stadium with a division-clinching opportunity on the line. If the Gators defeat LSU, they clinch the SEC East earning an appearance in the SEC Championship game to face top-ranked Alabama.
Additionally, LSU will face a string of reserve quarterbacks to wrap up its season. Florida senior Austin Appleby — who made his third career start at Florida in the Gators’ 20-7 win versus South Carolina on Saturday in place of sophomore Luke Del Rio (shoulder) — completed 17 of 21 passes for 201 yards with two touchdowns and one interception versus the Gamecocks.
Appleby, like LSU quarterback Danny Etling, is a former Purdue quarterback.
Appleby told reporters in Gainesville he will be sending a text message to Etling at some point this week, and Florida coach Jim McElwain called the upcoming “Purdue Bowl” unusual.
“I want to know who’s evaluating those quarterbacks at Purdue and give them a call,” Orgeron joked. “All those things personally may motivate some people, but this is all about the team.”
Appleby said his text to Etling will feature the same good luck message he, Etling and Purdue sophomore quarterback David Blough have been sharing all season.
“Probably send him a text here tonight early in the week just to wish him luck, wish him the best,” Appleby said Monday in Gainesville. “You know, he’s done the same for me all season. Our whole little Purdue quarterback group text that goes on … We all kind of keep in touch and support each other.”

Fournette update

Junior tailback Leonard Fournette is expected to play, but may take a day off of practice this week, Orgeron said.
Fournette, once again, had his ankle “rolled up” on Saturday after the Tigers’ 38-10 win against Arkansas, Orgeron said.
“You know, Leonard is tough,” Orgeron said. “The ankle is a little sore. The guy rolled up on him, but I think he’ll bounce back. If he needs a day off Tuesday, I’ll let [Director of Athletic Training] Jack [Marucci] handle that. But I do believe he’s going to be fine.”