The Florida Gators (1-1, 0-0 SEC) travel to Baton Rouge to take on the No.3 LSU Tigers (2-0, 0-0 SEC) on Saturday night inside Tiger Stadium. There’s a lot on the line for both teams in their SEC opener. LSU looks to start 3-0 for the first time under head coach Brian Kelly, establishing themselves as legitimate National Championship contenders. Florida is looking to bounce back after a disappointing week two loss to USF. With the expectations being a playoff berth in Billy Napier’s fourth year, the Gators simply can’t afford to start the 2025 season 1-2.
LSU started the season on a strong note with a 17-10 road win vs Clemson. The Tigers followed that up with a sloppy 23-7 win over Louisiana Tech.
The first thing that stands out about LSU’s team is their defense, which currently ranks T-11th in total defense and T-13th in scoring defense. LSU is allowing just 207.5 yards per game and held an experienced Clemson offense to 262 yards and zero second half points. This is quite the turnaround from last season where LSU ranked 61st in total defense.
LSU has been particularly stingy on third down, holding opponents to a .231% conversion rate. The Tigers have also dominated in pass rush scenarios, combining for 42 pressures, four sacks, and 12 QB hits. Against Clemson alone, LSU recorded 23 pressures, two sacks, and seven QB hits.
The Tigers’ run defense has been dominant as well, holding opposing teams to just 44.5 rushing yards per game and an average of 1.89 yards per rush, the 9th best in the country.
It’s important to note that two games is not a significant sample size, but what the Tigers have shown on tape leads me to believe they have one of the best defenses in the country. There really haven’t been any weaknesses to this point.
The other side of the ball has been a slightly different story. LSU has struggled to score, combining for just 40 points in two games. Of course, they played a sound Clemson defense to open their season, but followed that up with a discouraging 23-point outing vs Louisiana Tech.
Most of LSU’s struggles in week two came from their offensive line play after starting center Braelin Moore got hurt on the first snap of the game and missed the rest of the contest. The Tigers struggled creating room for running back Caden Durham and allowed 11 pressures and two sacks in pass protection. Moore is probable for the UF game in the most recent SEC availability update.
Even with Moore expected back on Saturday, LSU’s offensive line is the area Florida will look to exploit on Saturday as it’s been their lone weakness to this point.
Surrounding the big men up front is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the country in Garrett Nussmeier and a stable of talented wide receivers.
FIVE TIGERS TO WATCH
QB Garrett Nussmeier #18
Nussmeier is one of the more experienced quarterbacks in the country and in my opinion the best pure passer in the SEC. The knock on Nussmeier entering the 2025 season was his SEC leading 12 interceptions last season. Nussmeier has had a rather pedestrian start to the year, completing 68.4% of his passes for 469 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. His average depth per target sits at 6.8 yards, a huge decline from 9.5 yards a season ago. Still, the veteran quarterback appears to be in command of the offense despite less than ideal play from his offensive line.
RB Caden Durham #29
Do not let his 3.4 yards per carry through two games fool you, LSU running back Caden Durham is one of the best in the country. As a freshman in 2024, Durham ran for 753 yards and six touchdowns on 5.4 yards per carry. Durham is a physical runner that excels in yards after contact. Th 5’9, 205 pound back has even shown that this season despite a lack of running room, averaging 2.9 yards after contact in 2025. Durham will serve as the workhorse in LSU’s running back room.
WR Aaron Anderson #1
Junior receiver Aaron Anderson is back after leading LSU in receiving last year with 61 receptions for 884 yards. The Tigers have a lot of options at receiver, but Anderson appears to be the go-to target, leading LSU with 14 catches and 172 yards through two games. Former Kentucky Wildcat Barion Brown is another receiver you will want to watch out for on Saturday given his skills in the return game.
LB Whit Weeks #40
A large part of LSU’s success in pass rush this season has come from junior Whit Weeks. The 6’2, 225-pound linebacker leads the Tigers in pressures (7) and QB hits (4). Weeks was named to the 2024 All-SEC First Team after a standout sophomore season and entered 2025 as one of the best linebackers in the country. LSU will present quite a few blitz packages for Weeks out of the inside linebacker position, so keep an eye on that throughout the game. Weeks is the leader on this LSU defense.
LB / Edge Harold Perkins Jr. #7
Harold Perkins Jr. is a guy that Florida has to account for on every play. LSU will line up the 6’1, 221-pound defender at multiple positions given his versatility and athleticism. Earlier in his career, Perkins Jr. frequently played along the defensive line as an edge rusher. While there’s certainly still packages for him to rush the passer, he’s primarily playing the SAM linebacker position or Nickel / Star.