If you’re a Florida fan, you remember what happened the last time the Gators strolled into Death Valley. If you don’t, Jacoby Brissett was the quarterback, and LSU was the No. 1 team in the nation led by the self-proclaimed Honey Badger. The Gators fell to the Tigers with a 30-point loss. Best to forget that…again.
But this time, the Gators come in with a new quarterback, Tyler Murphy, who the SEC coaches gush over. Murphy replaced Jeff Driskel earlier in the season and has not stopped impressing the world since then.
Murphy caught the eyes of Steve Spurrier who said, “He’s a dang good player, his throwing motion is beautiful. He throws a nice, catchable ball.”
Murphy also caught the attention of Nick Saban who said, “I think he has the potential to be a really good player. Guys like him are hard to defend because he can make plays with his feet. It looks like he’s developing into a good passer.”
Murphy has started only two games thus far in his college career as a Junior(RS), but this is Murphs first test; Death Valley, underdogs, national spotlight. If Murph could get a win in Baton Rouge, the eyes of the people will really start opening.
The keys for the Gators to upset the Tigers in Death Valley:
1. Tyler Murphy
In Murph’s third career start, it’s up to him. If Saban and Spurrier have faith in the kid, all should. I believe Murph goes out and has an eye-opening performance. Looking forward to how he handles the LSU defense.
2. Matt Jones
Matt Jones was missing for a while, a viral infection held him back early in the season, but he has been found of late. If Matt Jones could keep up his play which has been nothing short of amazing, he will make things a lot easier for Murphy throwing the ball in a hostile environment. Expect Jones to have a career day against the LSU defense.
3. Containing Jeremy Hill
Hill already has 9 rushing touchdowns in six games (second in the nation), if the Gators defensive which has been stellar thus far could contain him, expect LSU to go to the air, which is exactly what Muschamp wants.
4. Legion Of BOOM.
This Legion Of Boom isn’t Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas, and Brandon Browner, but it certainly is the Legion Of Boom of the NCAA. Louchiez Purifoy, Marcus Roberson, the freshman Vernon Hargreaves III, Jaylen Watkins, Cody Riggs, Brian Poole, and Marcus Maye, should have a great time covering Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr.
5. The Gator Defensive Front
While Purifoy and Co. take care of Mettenberger’s receivers; Leon Orr, Darrious Cummings, Ronald Powell, Antonio Morrison, and Neiron Ball are going to have one job from Coach Muschamp, and that job will be to inflict pain on Zach Mettenberger. Sure it sounds horrible, but when you’re not hitting Mettenberger, he’s throwing the ball, and why would anyone want that?
Final Verdict:
The defense is going to shut down Zach Mettenberger and Jeremy Hill. The defense of the Tigers will have no answer for Matt Jones. I’m going with the shocker: Florida leaves Death Valley with a win, 17-3.
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