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Gators-LSU: It'll Be A Fun One For Someone

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Tim Tebow and the Gators hope to turn the tables on LSU after last year's heartbreaking defeat in Baton Rouge.

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By MICK ELLIOTT

melliott@tampatrib.com

Published: October 11, 2008

Updated: 10/11/2008 03:17 am

GAINESVILLE - LSU coach Les Miles was not being facetious - at least we don't think so - when he said tonight's visit by his fourth-ranked, undefeated Tigers to The Swamp for an SEC showdown with Florida will make for a jolly-good time.

"I think it will be fun to go there," Miles said. "I make no bones about it. This is a fun game to play."

OK, Miles and the Tigers are thrill-seekers. They might also suffer from selective memory syndrome.

The only fun thing about this game is winning it. The Tigers did that last season in Baton Rouge and went on to win the national championship. A year earlier, with the game at Florida Field, the Gators did likewise.

So tonight at 8, in a CBS broadcast for all to see, the last two programs to win national title games are together again. Fun? That will depend. Entertaining? You can bet on it.

Most assuredly, significant numbers will. Although LSU is 4-0 and 2-0 in the SEC, the home-standing 11th-ranked Gators (4-1, 2-1) are getting the nod from oddmakers as 6-point favorites.

"If some people are giving us respect, we take it and we honor it," LSU defensive end Tyson Jackson said. "But for those people doubting us, we'll just have to go out there and prove them wrong. We're going out there as a team, and I think that's going to help us be victorious."

In theory, if Jackson could promise the Tigers will come out as, say, a fleet of Kenworth diesel tractor-trailers, they surely would be more difficult for the Gators to stop, but the pregame flow of ungoverned rants and promises are part of a rivalry born from survival of the fittest.

"What makes this such a big game is the quality of personnel on both sides," Florida coach Urban Meyer said. "And, obviously, the past two years. That game two years ago was classic."

In that meeting, the Gators forced five turnovers on their way to a 23-10 victory. It also was when Tim Tebow, sharing time with Chris Leak, threw two touchdown passes - including a never-before-seen jump pass after faking a quarterback plunge.

Then, last year, LSU partied.

Trailing 24-14 after three quarters, the Tigers scored 14 consecutive points, converting four fourth-down gambles and chewing up 12 minutes of the fourth quarter.

To remind the Gators how little fun that experience provided, a replay of the game has been running almost non-stop this week in the UF football facilities.

"Guys get to see that game, get to see that tape," defensive coordinator Charlie Strong said. "Constantly running the whole week."

And the Gators approve the message.

"It's huge, it's huge," Tebow said of tonight's game. "It's bigger than just a loss in the SEC, but for momentum and confidence in people and defending The Swamp."

The fireworks are promising.

Florida leads the SEC in scoring (36 points per game); LSU is second (35). The Tigers top the league in total offense (427 yards per game); the Gators are third (390).

LSU's Charles Scott is the SEC's top rusher (133 ypg); Tebow is No. 1 in passing efficiency and second in total offense (236).

"A big ball game this weekend ... obviously," Meyer said.

Somebody is going to have fun.

No. 4 LSU (4-0, 2-0 SEC) At No. 11 Florida (4-1, 2-1)

AT STAKE
Although slightly less for undefeated LSU than one-loss Florida, this is the fork in the road for both teams' drive toward national championship contention. A second consecutive loss at home would not end the Gators' SEC East title hopes, but it sure would deflate the season's original potential. Let's just say, a loss tonight and the Gators can still go to Atlanta - although most likely for the Peach Bowl. LSU won the national championship last year with two losses, but Alabama remains undefeated in the SEC West, and the Tigers still have South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Old Miss ahead.

KEEP AN EYE ON
LSU - Charles Scott, a 5-foot-11, 233-pound junior, leads the SEC in rushing at 133.8 ypg. He already has 535 yards this season and is responsible for six of the team's eight rushing scores.
Florida - The Gators are hoping WRs Percy Harvin (slowed by an ankle sprain but expected to play) and Louis Murphy may finally get open deep. The Tigers traditionally favor man coverage, and Florida will hope its speed will get the receivers behind defenders and open for the long ball.

INJURY REPORT
LSU - Coming off a bye week, LSU reports no injuries.
Florida - RB Kestahn Moore (hamstring) and OT Jim Tartt, possible; TB Emmanuel Moody (ankle), doubtful; LB Dustin Doe (double hernia), out.

KEY MATCHUPS
Both teams want to win the battle for field position, and one of the best ways to do that is with strong special teams play. Kick returners Brandon James for Florida and Trindon Holliday for LSU might be the two best in the country. Holliday averages 25 yards a return and has a 91-yarder for a touchdown. James is averaging 20 and has two returns for TDs.

KEY STAT
Florida has scored 17 of 18 times it has reached the red zone this season. The only time the Gators did not was late in the 30-6 win against Tennessee when, on fourth-and-9, they opted to run rather than attempt a field goal.

PREDICTION
Florida 23, LSU 21

Reporter Mick Elliott can be reached at (813) 281-2534.

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