The Florida Gators (8-1, 8-1 SEC) and the LSU Tigers (3-5, 3-5 SEC) get together in The Swamp on Saturday night for the final game of the regular season for each team. This matchup was originally scheduled for early in the season but postponed due to positive COVID tests within the Florida football program. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. EST inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL. The Gators are a 23-point favorite in the annual rivalry matchup between the two cross-division opponents.
What to Know – LSU Tigers
LSU got embarrassed last weekend in a 55-17 blowout on the road against the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Tigers surrendered 650 yards to the Tide, including 385 through the air. Additionally, freshman tight end Arik Gilbert, the team’s second-leading receiver, is reportedly opting out for the remainder of the season.
Freshman quarterback TJ Finley got the start and went 14-of-28 for 144 yards and one touchdown and was replaced by fellow freshman Max Johnson who completed 11-of-17 passes for 110 yards. The two quarterbacks have split time this season since the injury to Myles Brennan.
Sophomores John Emery Jr. (seven carries, 79 yards, one touchdown) and Tyrion Davis-Price (eight carries, 24 yards) headlined the Tigers rushing attack. Emery’s 54-yard touchdown run was his longest of the season.
Louisiana native Kayshon Boutte hauled in eight passes for a team-high 111 yards. Boutte would have had a touchdown also, but he fumbled the ball prior to the goal line that was quickly picked up by teammate Jontre Kirklin.
What to Know – Florida Gators
Florida punched their ticket to the SEC Championship with a road win over the Tennessee Volunteers last Saturday afternoon. The win puts the Gators back in Atlanta for the first time since 2016, where they faced the Crimson Tide for the title.
Kyle Trask continues to put up video game-like numbers, completing 35-of-49 passes for 433 yards and four touchdowns. The Heisman candidate has thrown 38 touchdown passes this season to just three interceptions.
The Gators completely abandoned the rushing attack against the Volunteers, calling 17 rushes for just 19 yards. Three running backs combined to carry the ball 11 times for just seven yards.
Junior tight end Kyle Pitts led the Gators in receiving with eight receptions for 128 yards. Senior wide receiver Trevon Grimes caught a pair of touchdown passes while senior Kadarius Toney and sophomore Jacob Copeland each snagged one.
The Pick is In
Last season these two teams played a classic contest down in the bayou, with the eventual National Champions pulling away late. One team looks a lot different this year, while the other has positioned itself two wins away from a playoff spot. The NFL gutted most of the talent from LSU’s championship team, and many that didn’t go to the draft have opted out this season. Still, there is talent on the Tigers roster, and recently when the Gators have put the game out of reach, they seem to pump the breaks offensively. This should be a comfortable win for Florida but look for the Tigers to score a few late touchdowns to cover this number.
The Pick: LSU +23
