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It wasn’t long ago that LSU was ranked in the top 10 and was looking like a contender in the SEC West. Now, coming off a shellacking against Auburn, the Tigers will be fighting for their SEC lives when they take on Florida in The Swamp this weekend. Take a look at some of the numbers that could definite the game.
THE GOOD
- 6. LSU will definitely have a chance to get some extra possessions in this game, thanks to Jeff Driskel. The Gators quarterback has been inconsistent with his decision making and has thrown 6 interceptions this season, including a trifecta of them last weekend at Tennessee. LSU’s talented secondary, led by guys like Tre’Davious White and Jalen Collins, will have to be ready for Driskel’s errant throws, because they’re coming.
- 6.7. There was a lot of bad in LSU’s 41-7 loss to Auburn. But even in the first half, when they fell behind 17-0 in a blink, there was a positive. The Tigers pounded out 6.7 yards per carry when they ran it on first downs (a total of nine attempts), with Leonard Fournette leading the charge in that regard. Establishing the run would be a plus against a stingy Gators defense that’s only allowing 2.8 yards per carry.
- 7. Florida has been a relatively undisciplined team under Will Muschamp, and they’ve already gifted their opponents first downs via penalty seven times. It’s not much to go on, but with an offense that’s struggling as hard as LSU’s you’ll take what you can get.
THE BAD
- 4.6. After getting shredded by Auburn last week, LSU doesn’t get much of a break against Florida. Matt Jones has been one of the top runners in the SEC, averaging better than 5 yards per carry, while Driskel is somewhat capable of beating a team with his legs. The good news for LSU: Driskel is most decidedly not Dak Prescott or Nick Marshall.
- 7. You might have heard this, but the Tigers’ quarterback situation is a little shaky. Whether Anthony Jennings or Brandon Harris plays, they’ll have to be careful when letting fly. The Gators secondary is a ball-hawking group that already has 7 interceptions through four games, led by Keanu Neal’s 3 INT.
- 2. “When you have two quarterbacks, you don’t have any,” the talking head mantra goes. If that’s true, then LSU is in trouble. Les Miles said that the starting quarterback position is up for grabs again, this after naming Harris the starter (we thought for good) last week only to see him struggle. Whoever the coaching staff decides to start, be it Harris or Jennings, they’d be better off sticking with him than juggling passers all season.
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.
