Florida and LSU are set for their annual cross-divisional showdown this weekend as the Tigers travel to Gainesville, Fla. in The Swamp.

Following a blowout loss to Auburn, there’s a lot of questions surrounding this LSU team, a squad searching for its first SEC victory on the season. We spoke with Ross Dellenger of The Advocate out of Baton Rouge about the current state of the program and what Florida fans can expect from Les Miles’ team this weekend.

Drew Laing: How will playing time be distributed among the QBs this week? Will Brandon Harris get the start again after a rough outing against Auburn?

Ross Dellenger: We don’t know that just yet, but I’d assume you might see both quarterbacks play in the game. However, it would shock me to see Harris take the first snaps since he struggled so much in a hostile SEC road environment. Either way, LSU’s quarterbacks seem to be slipping more and more into irrelevancy. The Tigers don’t have a capable enough passer to lead them to victories. They might have to hope the defense improves and keep pounding the football.

Laing: Everyone knows about the young talent on this LSU team, but who do you think will have the best collegiate career: Leonard Fournette or Malachi Dupre?

Dellenger: It’s tough not to say Fournette. He was the No. 1 ranked recruit in the nation last year. He’s big, strong and fast. Some might say he’s gotten off to a slow start in his career, but the guy leads LSU in rushing. That said, Malachi Dupre is a stud. Halfway through the season, the receiver has made some phenomenal catches. He’s got speed and some serious length.

Laing: LSU’s defense has been a letdown this season compared to other years. Is it more because of injuries or is there just not as much talent on the defense this year?

Dellenger: Injuries are not the reason. LSU lost four starts off last year’s unit, and the Tigers have struggled to replace them, specifically on the interior. Defensive tackles Ego Ferguson and Anthony Johnson were seen by many around Baton Rouge as a mediocre unit. Fans would kill to have that pair back (they left early for the NFL Draft). LSU is soft in the interior and has already made one change there – backup middle linebacker Kendell Beckwith appears to have usurped DJ Welter.

Laing: Normally, LSU is a lock for a bowl game, but with four wins this season, an incredibly tough SEC West and a brutal end to the schedule, it’s not as clear that LSU can get to six wins this season. Do you think the Tigers can go bowling?

Dellenger: I think so, but much of that depends on this game. LSU has a handful of legitimate chances for wins remaining, including at Florida, against Kentucky and Ole Miss. The Tigers need to win two out of the three to get six wins. That’s why this game is oh-so important.

Laing: LSU is 4-2 on the season, but it hasn’t been pretty at times. Tigers fans are an honest bunch. Was this kind of year expected prior to the season?

Dellenger: Definitely not. I think most around this program figured LSU’s four straight seasons of double-digit wins would end. This team is just too young and inexperienced, but being blown out by Auburn and Mississippi State? No one saw that coming. LSU suffered its worst loss in a whopping 15 years in the game at Auburn. This is a team many expected to at least hit the eight-win mark. And now they may struggle to gain bowl eligibility.

Laing: How do you see Saturday night playing out in The Swamp? Does LSU do enough on defense stopping Jeff Driskel to pull out a much-needed SEC victory?

Dellenger: If the Tigers are going to win, it’s going to be a low-scoring affair. That means LSU must slow what appears to be a lackluster offense at Florida. But on the road with an unstable quarterback position, I’m not so sure LSU can score enough points to win the game. Either way, it’s a tight one.

A huge thank you to Ross Dellenger for participating in this week’s Behind Enemy Lines.