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What an exciting day for Gator fans… Tonight Florida gets to prove why they’re # 1 and Gator Nation can have something concrete to back up our endless confidence as we march towards Pasadena. Going into the season, tonight’s game was the one widely thought to be Florida’s toughest regular season matchup and the circumstances surrounding the game has hyped it up even more; Will Tebow play or not? Will Jordan Jefferson be able to step up against the #1 defense in the country? Can LSU’s defensive front handle a Florida rushing attack that is averaging over 300 yards per game?
The latter should be the difference in this ball game. While LSU’s defensive secondary has played decent this year, their play in the trenches has been dreadful and should look even worse against the Gators’ #1 rushing offense in the country. Expect to see Moody, Demps and Rainey each get plenty of touches en-route to another 300+ yard ground game for the Gators. I would expect Tebow to play but not contribute to that rushing yard total as much as he has in the past… at least for this game.
Florida will be very careful with Tebow tonight and we’ll probably see Brantley in the game as soon as Tebow takes a hit and doesn’t bounce up as quick as he goes down. We’ll then get to witness what we have all been waiting for: John Brantley throwing the ball in a game against a good secondary when it counts. Given that opportunity Brantley will confirm that as a backup he is still one of the elite quarterbacks in the country. In addition to the 300+ rushing yards expect to see more through the air than usual as our offensive line gives the quarterback (whoever that may be) plenty of time against LSU’s D to step back and throw the ball at will.
Look for Brandon James to quiet Death Valley early with a big time kick return that gives Florida momentum that they keep most of the game. The Gators will slip at times due to the tremendous night time atmosphere in Baton Rouge but will never let LSU gain too much steam to really put the pressure on. Florida will go in to half-time with a two possession lead then pull away even more from the Tigers in the second half.
Tip for Florida fans: Get your post-season tickets now… After Florida’s performance tonight the prices will skyrocket…
Half Time Score: Florida 28 – LSU 17
Final Score: Florida 48 – LSU 20
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