The Florida Gators enter week seven with a 4-2 record, as they look to continue their momentum after last week’s win over Missouri.
The LSU Tigers come to town for a night game in the Swamp as this rivalry game always seems to produce some big moments for both teams.
The Gators are looking to continue momentum with a win this week as they enter a bye week next week. Gator Country gives you a roundtable preview for Florida vs Missouri.
What are your keys for this team on offense this week?
AS: Florida needs to get Anthony Richardson out in space and allow him to get some momentum as this LSU team struggles with running quarterbacks. The Gators have been at their best when Richardson is able to get his play-action passing going as well as running the ball.
Nick: The Gators are going to need to play to the strengths of their offense, that’s the run game. Richardson needs to be aggressive on the ground in this one as well. The one game Richardson thrived through the air he attempted 17 runs; It gives the defense another player to worry about and can open up the pass game. LSU is going to present a challenge as they rank 4th in total defense in the SEC.
Gentry: The offense will need Anthony Richardson to be on his A game Saturday night, as the success of this offense relies heavily on good quarterback play. If Anthony Richardson doesn’t play well the running backs will have to take a huge load Saturday and carry the entire weight of this offense. The Gators will have to run the ball well this weekend if they want to win this game. Florida ranks 19th in rushing offense, and 92nd in passing offense. This compares with LSU who is currently ranking 55th in rush defense, and 28th in pass yards allowed.
What does the Gators need to do on defense to limit the Tigers?
AS: LSU has allowed 20 sacks on the year and the Gators were able to get some pressure on Missouri last week and that will be a key this week. If the Gators can get to Jayden Daniels and make him uncomfortable, the Gators can force some turnovers.
Nick: The Gators need to do everything they can to contain QB Jayden Daniels. Teams have struggled to contain him all year long and he could present a major issue for this Gators’ defense. Stopping the run and containing Jayden Daniels is the key to this game.
Gentry: This Florida Gator defense must be able to contain Jayden Daniels and not allow him to be effective with his legs. The biggest concern Saturday night for this Florida defense is certainly the LSU rushing attack. If the defense can shut down Daniels, LSU’s running backs and force Daniels to throw the ball, it should be a good night for the Gator defense given the secondary plays well. If this defense can go out there and do that Saturday night, this secondary will get tested in the air and must be ready. This defense will need an all-around amazing performance Saturday night if Florida wants to win.
Anthony Richardson failed to pass for 100 yards last week against Missouri, will he rebound this week?
AS: If Florida is going to win this game, the answer for me is yes, he will rebound. Do I expect him to throw for 400 plus this week? No I don’t but I do think he will have a good game throwing and especially on the roll-out and play-action passing game.
Nick: We all remember what Richardson did to this LSU defense last year. With that being said, I think the Gators will lean on the run early on. If LSU keys in on the run, I think Richardson is more than capable of beating this team through the air.
Gentry: This question gets harder and harder for me to answer each week, as we see a different Anthony Richardson under center each game. Although, I do think Richardson cleans it up this game and has a decent performance throwing the ball if he’s healthy, and not hesitant on using his legs. We will see very early on in the game if Richardson has what it takes to lead this offense Saturday.
Who do you want to see get more snaps in week seven?
AS: Kamari Wilson, Wilson has made some mistakes at the safety spot but overall he has played well and has been around the ball a lot and with Daniels being a dual-threat guy, you need a safety who can come in and make plays and Wilson is that guy.
Nick: For the 2nd week in a row, I’m picking Miguel Mitchell. Mitchell understands the safety position and hasn’t provided us with any reason to believe he can’t play it at a high level. He’s been great despite limited action at safety, gathering 8 tackles and a TFL this season.
Gentry: I have a couple players in mind on each side of the football. On defense, I’d like to see Princely Umanmielen get a huge number of snaps this weekend given he was wreaking havoc against Missouri last weekend finishing with four solo tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack. On offense I’d really like to see more rotation with the receivers, like what we saw last weekend. In my opinion, I think Marcus Burke deserves to get some snaps in place of Xzavier Henderson. If it wasn’t for Richardson spiking the ball into the ground trying to find Burke on a screen last weekend, I think Marcus Burke would have done a lot more with that than Henderson would. He may have even taken that for six. Trent Whittemore is also someone who deserves more snaps and doesn’t play nearly enough as he should be.
What will be the keys for victory for the Gators this week?
AS: Florida can’t turn the ball over this week, LSU has been good at causing turnovers, but this Gators offense can’t put the defense in short field positions. Vice versa, the Gators need to create some turnovers and that all starts with getting pressure on the quarterback which LSU hasn’t been good at protecting.
Nick: The key to this game is the defense. They need to get off the field on 3rd downs, providing the Gators’ offense with more chances to score. They can’t let LSU run all over them and win the time of possession. The Gators rank last in the SEC in drives per game and plays per game. This can’t happen if the Gators want to beat LSU on Saturday. My 2nd key is turnovers. The Gators need to protect the football offensively; Gators have not had a single game this season with zero turnovers.
Gentry: The Gators will have to play good football on both sides of the ball if they want to win this game. Anthony Richardson must play well this weekend and be efficient in the passing game to take some weight off Montrell Johnson’s and Trevor Etienne’s shoulders. The running backs will be the key piece here for the offense Saturday night. The defense must force Daniels to use his legs and be able to contain the run game consistently. If not the Tigers will light us up on the ground. This is going to force Daniels to throw the ball often and this secondary needs to be prepared.
Gives us your prediction on how this game will turn out.
AS: I have Florida winning 27-21 as I think the Gators have the better offense and this game is personal for a lot of guys at Florida who will help lead this team to victory.
Nick: I think the Gators will struggle to contain Jayden Daniels. Daniels can and will beat you on the ground if you let him. He’s also thrown for 1,215 yards this season, completing 68.8% of his passes. I think LSU edges one out against the Gators. 31-28 Tigers.
Gentry: I have Florida winning 31-17. I’m hopeful that this football team has found its identity and knows what they are capable of as a group. The Gators could easily not play well on defense, and Anthony Richardson may do the same. However, I think this entire football team takes this game personally now and I don’t see the Gators folding over this weekend, not in this game. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see the best performance of the year from the defense.