LSU holds off North Florida 78-70

In the beginning of the year, both of these teams were trending in opposite directions. After a back-and-forth on how this game should be scheduled and played, these two teams had to pay a buyout to South Alabama (LSU) and Presbyterian (Florida) in order for this game to be rescheduled for November 19. After all, LSU has averaged 197 yards on the ground in this series the last three years. A win against the Tigers and then cross-state rival Vandy next week would earn Tennessee a spot in the SEC Championship and a rematch against much-hated rival Alabama.

Fast forward to Week 12 of the season and 16th ranked LSU is favored by double digits over 21st ranked Florida. Should they lose, it will most likely be Butch Jones and the Volunteers being declared champs of the Least, I mean East.

The Crimson Tide focused on shutting down the LSU running game that features Fournette and Derrius Guice, and it worked, holding the Tigers to 33 rushing yards.

North Florida was able to stay within striking distance of LSU all night because of its work on the boards.

The No. 18 Florida Gators (7-2, 5-2) travel to Baton Rouge on Saturday afternoon to face No. 16 LSU (6-3, 4-2) in a matchup that was originally supposed to take place on October 8 in Gainesville.

Last week against SC, the Gators had an impressive offensive performance. In fact, Florida ranks fifth in the country in that category, while LSU ranks sixth. The Tigers have dominated nearly every opponent they have faced in the run game, with the very notable exception of Alabama.

While Florida’s strength on defense comes from a strong secondary and the ability to turn a game on an interception, LSU’s main strength on defense is preventing scoring.

And just like that, LSU was back in control of the game.

There’s also the matter of the 19 seniors that will be honored before the game, which includes team leaders like Tre’davious White, Duke Riley, Kendell Beckwith, Lewis Neal, Dwayne Thomas, Ethan Pocic and Travin Dural. Currently Florida will enter Saturday’s game missing 7 starters.

When Florida coach Jim McElwain got to his desk Sunday, there was a folder sitting on top labeled “Presbyterian”.

Through all the adversity, McElwain has remained optimistic about Florida, its chances this season and where he sees the Gators going in the future. Appleby was promoted to the starting job after an injury to Luke Del Rio, while Etling earned the starting job after Brandon Harris struggled early in the 2016 season. And he’ll be trying to win against a preseason national title darkhorse that has been rejuvenated under interim coach Ed Orgeron.

The administrative sound and fury might be over, but it set the stage for perhaps the most intense Florida-LSU game ever and it’s a game that rarely needs additional buildup. He can play with his back to the basket and he’s continued to improve as a defender and I think he’s one of the most improved guys inside from past year that we have on the team right now.

While the game wasn’t almost the shootout fans saw December 2, when LSU outscored North Florida 119-108, Sampson made it look that way – for a couple of minutes, anyway.

If Florida can get LSU off of their game plan and make them pass, it will benefit the Gators.

LSU: The Tigers were unable to put North Florida away for good until the final minute. And of course, Florida didn’t want to surrender a home game needlessly.

LSU (6-3, 4-2), which could get a Sugar Bowl bid by winning its last two games, has allowed just 10 touchdowns all season, fewest in the nation, and never more than two TDs in a single game. Nevertheless, I do expect another great game between these two rivals. “I am just happy we got the win”.