After clinching the SEC East by beating Tennessee last Saturday, the Florida Gators will conclude their regular season against the LSU Tigers. It will also be Senior Night in the Swamp against the defending 2019 National Champions. In the Florida vs LSU matchup history, the Gators have the advantage with a 33-30-3 record against the Tigers. However, LSU got the best of Florida last season in Death Valley with a 42-28 loss.
Florida vs LSU Preview
Things have changed since the last time it was Florida vs LSU. The 2019 National Championship LSU team is pretty much gone and most of their coaches have also found promotions in other programs. As for Florida, it will be playing in the SEC Championship next Saturday against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
LSU Tigers
The LSU Tigers come into the Swamp missing many of its top players and are also coming off a 55-17 blowout loss to Alabama. The 2020 LSU Tigers aren’t the same team that the Gators lost to last season. The Tigers are led by head coach, Ed Orgeron, who’s in his fifth season as the LSU head coach.
The offense is led by true freshman quarterback TJ Finley. The Louisiana native has filled in as the Tigers’ starting quarterback since Myles Brennan went down with an injury. Finley has struggled in his first season in college football. He has completed 57.1% of his passes for 941 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions.
The LSU rushing attack has been really solid this season with their 1-2 punch. Sophomore running back Tyrion Davis-Price is the lead back for the Tigers. Davis-Price has rushed for 391 yards on 96 carries and three touchdowns. John Emery has also been productive for LSU with 371 yards on 71 carries and three touchdowns.
The receiving group for the Tigers has also taken a hit with their top two receivers Terrance Marshall and Arik Gilbert opting out of the season. Redshirt-sophomore wide receiver Jaray Jenkins is now the leading receiver for LSU. Jenkins has 18 receptions for 321 yards and a touchdown. Senior Jontre Kirklin leads LSU in receiving touchdowns with three.
On defense, safety JaCoby Stevens is tied for first in tackles. Stevens has 50 tackles including 19 solos, two-and-a-half tackles for loss, a sack, and three QB hurries. Sophomore cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. is the top cornerback and one of the top corners in the country. Stingley has 27 tackles with two-and-a-half tackles for loss, five pass breakups, and a forced fumble.
Florida Gators
The Florida Gators are coming into this game trying to improve before taking on the Alabama Crimson Tide. Florida has had three straight performances in which it won but didn’t win by as much as it was supposed to.
The Gators’ offense needs to improve and it will be led by redshirt-senior quarterback Kyle Trask. The Texas gunslinger is having a productive season and is one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy.
Trask has completed 71.4% of his passes for 3,243 yards with 38 touchdowns and three interceptions. Trask is also two touchdown passes away from breaking the most passing touchdown record at the University of Florida.
The Gators rushing attack is coming off of a terrible performance last Saturday and will look to get back on track against LSU. Junior running back Dameon Pierce leads the Gators in rushing with 417 yards on 85 carries and three touchdowns.
Senior wide receiver Kadarius Toney is the lead receiver for the Gators. Toney has 53 receptions for 649 yards and eight touchdowns. Star tight end Kyle Pitts has 36 catches for 641 yards and a team-high eleven touchdowns. Another senior receiver that has been performing well is Trevon Grimes as he has caught 30 passes for 413 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Florida Gators defense has had their ups and downs this season but played pretty well against Tennessee. Redshirt-junior linebacker Ventrell Miller is the lead tackler for Florida. Miller has 66 tackles including 38 solos, five-and-a-half tackles for loss, and two-and-a-half sacks.
Former Georgia transfer Brenton Cox is Florida’s leader in tackles for loss with eight-and-a-half. He’s also tied for first sacks with four. Redshirt-junior Zachary Carter also has four sacks and seven-and-a-half tackles for loss.
Five Players to Watch: LSU Tigers
- RB Tyrion Davis-Price
- CB Derek Stingley Jr.
- WR Jaray Jenkins
- S JaCoby Stevens
- QB TJ Finley
Five Players to Watch: Florida Gators
- QB Kyle Trask
- LB Ventrell Miller
- TE Kyle Pitts
- DE Brenton Cox
- WR Kadarius Toney
Five Predictions:
- Trask throws for over 275 yards and three touchdowns.
- Finley throws for over 225 yards and two touchdowns.
- Florida’s defense has over three sacks in the game.
- LSU’s defense holds Florida to under 100 rushing yards.
- Florida Gators beats LSU Tigers 42-17.
