The orange-clad Gators will finally take the field against LSU today. The field upon which these two teams will meet is not Steve Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, as it was originally intended to be, but inside Tiger Stadium. After this game was postponed from its scheduled October 8th date due to the threat of Hurricane Matthew, rescheduling difficulties ensued before a compromise was eventually reached that would send Florida to Baton Rouge today, and bring the Tigers to Gainesville next season.
Florida is visiting the Bayou Bengals today for a 1:00 p.m. game, airing on the SEC Network. So, rather than watching Florida likely ease to victory past an over-matched FCS Presbyterian squad, we’ll see how the injury-laden Gators fare on the road against a LSU team playing in front of a home crowd in their home finale. (One neat outcome of this debacle? Today Presbyterian will play at South Alabama, who was originally scheduled as LSU’s opponent on this date.)
Amid the various storylines surrounding this match-up - the rescheduling drama, the “scared” narrative, the injuries - the Gators will play this day with their SEC East title hopes on the line. Florida controls its own destiny to Atlanta. Win today and the Gators punch their ticket to the SEC Championship Game, and earn themselves the opportunity to represent the SEC East against SEC West champion, and No. 1 ranked, unbeaten Alabama. If Florida does not emerge victorious from this afternoon’s battle, the Gators would need Tennessee to drop at least one of its final two games against Missouri and Vanderbilt.
Andy is unfortunately sick today, and apologizes for leaving Alligator Army in my hands. Please don’t hold any of my predictions against him, or against his season-to-date record.
Here are my 25 predictions for Florida-LSU.
- Florida will not score more than 21 points.
- Both teams will score in double digits.
- A team will lead by double digits at some point in the game.
- Austin Appleby will not throw for over 200 yards.
- Florida will commit more than one turnover.
- Jordan Scarlett will lead Florida in carries.
- Scarlett will also lead Florida in rushing yards.
- Florida will average less than four yards per carry.
- Antonio Callaway will lead Florida in receiving yards.
- Florida will attempt a trick play.
- Florida will have a big special teams play.
- Florida will not have a passing touchdown.
- Jabari Zuniga will record at least half a sack.
- Florida will record two sacks.
- David Reese will lead Florida in tackles.
- Quincy Wilson will record an interception.
- Duke Dawson will make a big play.
- Florida will force at least one turnover.
- Florida will allow more than 400 yards.
- Florida will allow more than 21 points.
- Florida’s defense will allow more than five yards per play.
- Eddy Piñeiro will make a field goal of more than 40 yards.
- Florida will not win the turnover battle.
- Florida will trail in the second half.
- Florida will lose, 28-17.
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