LSU football is most likely no longer playing for the College Football Playoff after a less-than-contentious loss to Alabama on Saturday. Instead, the Tigers are playing for pride.
The season continues with a match with injury-plagued Florida in Gainesville. Even in a down year for the Gators, the rivalry between the two teams and the fearsome environment could make for a challenge.
Here’s how the Reveille Sports Staff predicted the upcoming game.
Jason Willis, Sports Editor | @JasonWillis4
The fight that Florida will put up against LSU hinges greatly on if talented freshman quarterback DJ Lagway is playing for the Gators. With him, Florida mounted a first half lead against Georgia and has looked like a much more competent team than with the backup.
Either way, I think LSU handles this one. If Lagway plays, I expect an early scare as LSU continues to grapple with its issues with execution. However, the Tigers will take advantage of a favorable matchup and take the win.
Prediction: LSU 31-17 Florida
Lizzie Falcetti, Deputy Sports Editor | @lizziefalcetti
It’s been a tough road for both the Tigers and the Gators this season, making Saturday’s game a needed win on both sides. Billy Napier said quarterback DJ Lagway is set to return in this matchup, and he will aim to be all over the LSU defense, making opportunistic plays.
I think the Tigers will go into the swamp and come out with a clean win. After the heartbreaking loss to Alabama, LSU is ready to bounce back and finish out this season as strong as ever.
Prediction: LSU 38-24 Florida
Tyler Harden, Senior Sports Reporter | @ttjharden8
Florida has been plagued with injuries at what seems like all positions this season. However, the Gators’ biggest hope is on true freshman quarterback, DJ Lagway, returning from a hamstring injury sustained two weeks ago.
Lagway returning for an at-home Florida team will certainly help. However, the LSU defense will be sound enough to control the Gators in all aspects of the game, especially with Florida’s injuries. With Florida looking thin at wide receiver along with the uncertainty of who will be taking the majority of snaps, LSU should have most of, if not all, the control in this game.
While Florida will make it interesting in the Swamp, LSU ultimately comes out on top.
Prediction: LSU 34-21 Florida
Tre Allen, Senior Sports Reporter | @treday0314
LSU lost an embarrassing game to Alabama last week. They couldn’t stop Jalen Milroe and didn’t score a single touchdown until the fourth quarter.
The Tigers will be heading to Gainesville to take on the 4-5 Gators, a team that has been battling injuries at the quarterback position. Between Graham Mertz’s season-ending injury and DJ Lagway hurting his hamstring against Georgia, the Gators are a question mark at quarterback.
Given that LSU will be preparing for both Lagway and Aidan Werner I think the defense for the Tigers will bounce back. I also think the offense will get its momentum back and start going back to where they were earlier in the season.
Prediction: LSU 38-20 Florida
Martin Sullivan, Sports Reporter | @marty_sulli
The way this team performs off an embarrassing loss will indicate a lot about its character and leadership. Despite the game being in Gainesville, LSU is by far the stronger team. There is no position group that should arouse concern of a surprise Gator victory, especially with all their injuries.
Regardless, LSU will surely find a way to allow a touchdown they shouldn’t and stall out randomly. But the weapons and talented position groups should be enough to win comfortably, with some fun explosives along the way. Hoping for a big Caden Durham game.
Prediction: LSU 34-23