TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Gators Have Home Field; Tigers Are Rested, Ready

ADVERTISEMENT

By MICK ELLIOTT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 8, 2008

GAINESVILLE - The undefeated LSU Tigers - 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the Southeastern Conference - are defending national champions, ranked No. 4 in the nation and, coming off an open date, are at full strength for Saturday night's game against the Florida Gators.

Nonetheless, the 11th-ranked Gators (4-1, 2-1), enjoying the benefits of being at home, are early favorites, according to oddsmakers.

"It doesn't surprise me that people are picking Florida," LSU coach Les Miles said. "This will not be the first time we are going to a place where the other team is supposed to win. We didn't play well last time at Florida. I think we'll play well this time."

Put the spotlight here:

RUNNING BACK

The Tigers have the SEC's leading rusher in junior Charles Scott, averaging 133.8 yards per game and 7.5 per carry.

He has gone over the 100-yard mark in all four of LSU's games.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Jarrett Lee, who came off the bench to rally the Tigers to a comeback win at Auburn and ranks behind only UF's Tim Tebow in SEC passing efficiency, will make his second straight start.

Andrew Hatch, a sophomore, sat out LSU's game two weeks ago against Mississippi State following a concussion, but he will be available against the Gators.

"Jarrett Lee is continuing to come," Miles said. "He's had some really strong practices. Lee will get the first look. We'll bring in Andrew on the second or third series, maybe later. Who knows?"

DEFENSIVE LINE

Defensive end Tyson Jackson and defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois are considered first-team All-American candidates. The Tigers are allowing opponents an average of 69 yards rushing per game.

SECONDARY

Florida's speedy big-playmakers should worry the Tigers. LSU's pass defense is giving up an average of 191 yards per game, seventh-best in the SEC. Florida, averaging 211, has had trouble going deep this year, but UF coach Urban Meyer points to opponents so far focusing on keeping receivers from getting behind defenders.

"I think it will change this week because they are a man-coverage team," Meyer said.

Don't count on it.

"I think we'll take a bit more conservative approach in the secondary than we've done in the past, maybe a little more zone," Miles said.

KICK RETURN

Not many teams can match Florida's return threat of Brandon James, but LSU does.

Junior Trindon Holliday is averaging 25 yards per punt return and has taken one back 92 yards for a score. James is averaging 20 but had taken two back for touchdowns.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT