Nick Marcinko and Gentry Hawk preview Florida’s week 12 matchup vs No.21 LSU with our roundtable discussion, where we discuss keys to the game and give our score predictions.
What are the keys to victory against LSU’s offense?
NM: Florida is going to have to win one on one matchups against LSU’s passing attack to have a chance in this one. The Tigers have one of the best offensive lines in the country and a trio of pass catchers in Kyren Lacy, Aaron Anderson, and Mason Taylor that can beat you at all three levels of the defense. Florida is out their top three corners vs LSU and will need guys like Cormani McClain, Trikweze Bridges, and Dijon Johnson to be at their best on Saturday. If the Gators can limit explosive plays, they’ll have a good chance vs LSU.
GH: I think the biggest key is stopping Garrett Nussmeier and LSU’s passing offense that currently ranks 7th in the FBS according to the NCAA. Florida’s secondary struggled while having multiple players sidelined with injuries against Texas, and that can’t happen again if Florida wants to win this game. Apply pressure in the trenches and I think we could see things come together again on defense.
What are the keys to victory against LSU’s defense?
NM: DJ Lagway’s health. Billy Napier announced that freshman QB DJ Lagway will play on Saturday vs LSU, just two weeks after a hamstring injury. LSU’s defense has fallen victim to running QB’s this season, most recently allowing 185 rushing yards to Alabama’s Jalen Milroe on just 12 attempts. It’s hard to imagine Florida calling a ton of read options or designed QB runs with Lagway fresh off a hamstring injury, but that is where Florida can take advantage of this LSU defense. How limited Lagway is within Florida’s offense will be a deciding factor in this game.
GH: I think the key against LSU’s defense is for Lagway to keep controlling the game and let the running game follow. I think DJ Lagway playing takes away a lot of problems for the Gators. Establish the passing game to open up the running game and I think the Gators have a great shot if they can knock the Tigers off balance. LSU has struggled against the run in their last two games giving up 553 rushing yards and the Gators need to take advantage.
One player you would like to receive more playing time in week 12?
NM: Freshman DB Jameer Grimsley. Florida is out their top three cornerbacks and are having to move their best safety in Trikweze Bridges to corner. Grimsley, a four star recruit out of Tampa, Florida, logged his first game action last week vs Texas, where he recorded 15 snaps. There’s going to be a lot of moving parts within Florida’s defense on Saturday, but if Grimsley can produce on the field, they can move Bridges back to safety, where he’s best suited.
GH: I would like to see Florida find ways to get the ball in the hands of Tank Hawkins. We haven’t seen any designed sweeps since Tre Wilson went down with an injury, and I think the Gators could cause issues in certain ways if they wanted to this weekend.
Other keys to victory?
NM: Florida’s done a good job creating interceptions this year, ranking 36th in the country with nine on the year. They’ll need to create turnovers and give Lagway and Florida’s offense short field position.
GH: I think you have to create turnovers and bring this crowd into the game on Saturday. Turnovers on defense will make things a lot easier for Florida’s offense and DJ Lagway while keeping the crowd in the game all afternoon.
LSU is four-point favorites over UF. Give us a score prediction.
NM: Florida 27 LSU 24
GH: Florida 31 LSU 27