LSU Tigers and the Florida Gators both come into this Saturdays match.
LSU defeat the Longhorns in week 2 and went to Texas. The Gators stifled then-No. 7 Auburn at the Swamp last weekend. However, in this weeks matchup in Death Valley, both teams seem to take over a top-four spot in the race to College Football Playoff.
Floridas defense leads the solution in their opinion. Theyve given up the 8th-fewest offensive touchdowns (5), and also havent given up a stage in the 4th quarter since their opener. Auburn QB Bo Nix flustered as he went 11 with three INTs, into creating decisions that were several last week.
However, Joe Burrow is not Nix. He is a seasoned quarterback, and it has led LSU to the greatest launch in SEC history. Theyve averaged 54.6 points-per-game, the maximum in school soccer. This includes the 45 they dropped on the road on Texas.
As 13-point underdogs around BetNow , the Gators come in with the roar of all Death Valley awaiting. Does the No. 5 grading shield keep this near and cover the spread? Or will Burrow as well as also the No. 2 passing offense keep rolling up and also win the bet? Heres the full breakdown.
Theres very little uncertainty in Burrows ability anymore. He has converted to a Heisman candidate, having a immaculate 22/3 TD/INT ratio and 11.5 yards-per-attempt (3rd in the FBS).
Hes also working with a few of the receiving groups in the nation. The trio of JaMarr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Terrace Marshall Jr. have combined for 19 touchdowns along with 73 receptions, with averages over 15 YPC for three.
Jefferson has great length with his 63 frame and has mastered in some huge games. Chase is a physical presence on the opposing side. Marshall Jr. will sit until November with a foot injury, but Derrick Dillon is an experienced goal who will fill the area. It is all part of a passing game that has Burrow in a 78.4% completion percentage.
Theyll face undoubtedly the toughest DB unit they have played with all season. Northwestern State is an FCS team, but here would be the yards-per-attempt composed by LSUs other competitors: Georgia Southern 111th, Texas 124th, Vanderbilt 128th, along with Utah State 103rd.
Though its safe to say they have yet to play a QB of the caliber of Burrow, florida sits at 33rd. They have played two FCS QBs, a true freshman (Nix), a redshirt freshman making his first start (Jarren Williams, Miami), and Still, C.J. Henderson was preseason All-American whos living up to his own billing. Shawn Davis creates a huge amount of havoc in the secondary (111 yards on three INTs). Marco Wilson is a bit on irregular so far at the other corner spot, but has a ceiling for a cover guy.
Burrow will even face a menacing pass-rush, which will be fully healthy for the first time because their 10 sacks versus Miami about the opening week. Jabari Zuniga, considered to be their very best pass-rusher coming into this season, is coming back from injury. With him on one side and Jonathan Greenard (4.0 sacks/6.5 TKFL) around the other, LSUs 63rd-ranked sack rate in their o-line will be analyzed.
Ever since Kyle Trask replaced Feleipe Franks (ankle injury) as Floridas quarterback, the Gators have outscored opponents 115-16.
He has to get flustered by an opposing line Even though his awareness need to improve from the pocket. Auburns according ranks 11th in lineup yards, and is arguably the very best in the nation to Football Outsiders.
LSU is ranked 31st at LY and will be 85th in bag rate. They will rely upon blitzing LBs to assist throw Trask. The Florida QB is convinced in the pocket but is not out of it. He sprained a knee and wore a leg brace when he reentered the game.
Together with the LBs involved from the pass-rush, All-American safety Grant Delpit needs to develop big in policy. He likely will face off against a matchup nightmare in Florida TE Kyle Pitts (25 receptions). Neutralizing Pitts (65-240lbs, 4.6 40-yard dashboard ) is critical to LSUs success on D.
LSU–such as Floridas secondary–is most considered DBU for the talent they possess on their defenses outside. Derek Stingley Jr. is continuing this heritage with performances that should land him on the All-Freshman group, or even more, in 2019.
Will be Kristian Fulton, that enabled the smallest quantity of first downs this past year out of returning FBS corners. Though this group is in passing yards allowed per-game 69th, itll be a push if given an opportunity against a driven Trask.
Balance is going to be crucial as for Florida, who has not got their running game going however. broke a tackle at the line on his approach into a 88-yard TD run. Despite this, the Florida o-line rankings 113th in line yards and also can be going up from the No. 1 d-line in terms of power achievement (short-yardage scenarios ).
While the LSU front may not be powerful. But Florida only compiles 3.66 YPA on the ground, and that is including Perines long term and a 76-yard receiver sweep that closed out the Kentucky game.
It places a lot of pressure on Trask at a hostile environment, if they dont buy Perine or Dameon Pierce going frequently.
Florida has earned respect from the college football world following last week. And while I do not expect them to come out from Death Valley, I really do see this sport remaining than many.
LSUs offense made strides, also Burrow is just one of the more intelligent QBs in the FBS. However, LSU is not going to put up 45 or something near that. Their pass-rush has evolved with Greenard wreaking havoc.
The Gators defense will probably work out with time, as the group has relied on them. Marco Wilson is going to be the topic against the physiological Chase or Jefferson into some late-game PIs.
But I do not anticipate this. Maintaining the match in enough of a slog until afterward makes Florida the appropriate wager on Saturday.
Prediction: LSU (30) — Florida (20)
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