Florida Gators vs LSU Tigers: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

Where: Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA

When: Saturday, October 12th at 8pm EST

How (TV): ESPN

Florida Gators (Away)

Relish the opportunity.

?️ @CoachDanMullen #GatorStandard pic.twitter.com/02Fox7Mbrn

— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) October 8, 2019

Head Coach: Dan Mullen {All-Time: 85-49 | MSST, FLA}

Regular Season Record: 6-0

Having passed their first test against an SEC West Division foe last week, the Gators will get a crack at another one, except this time it will be on the road against one of college football’s toughest home-field advantages. Also, instead of taking on a freshman quarterback like they did last week against Auburn‘s Bo Nix, the Gators will look to find a way to neutralize a Heisman candidate in LSU’s Joe Burrow.

Florida emerged from the Swamp with a hard-fought 24-13 win over Auburn last weekend despite a mistake-filled performance. Starting quarterback Kyle Trask had an up and down day, throwing for 234 yards and two touchdowns, while also coughing up three of Florida’s four fumbles. Trask suffered a minor leg injury in the second quarter but did return later. Running back Lamical Perine finished off the Tigers in the fourth quarter by going untouched for an 88-yard rushing touchdown.

The Gators’ defense ensured coach Mullen’s team did not lose the turnover battle by forcing four of their own. Defensive backs Donovan Stiner, Shawn Davis, and Marco Wilson each picked off Nix, while junior linebacker Jeremiah Moon recovered a muffed punt.

LSU Tigers (Home)

This @LSUfootball offense is scary good ? pic.twitter.com/LyWBA77phF

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 5, 2019

Head Coach: Ed Orgeron {All-Time: 46-36 | MISS, USC, LSU}

Regular Season Record: 5-0

With their non-conference schedule in the rearview mirror, the LSU Tigers will turn their attention to perhaps their toughest remaining opponent not named Alabama. After giving up 38 points to each of their Power Five conference opponents in Texas and Vanderbilt, defensive coordinator Dave Aranda will need his unit to be at their best to pull out the win.

LSU wrapped up their non-conference slate with a 42-6 blowout of Utah State last Saturday. Burrow helped his Heisman campaign in a big way by posting 344 passing yards, five touchdown passes and running for an additional score. Leading receiver Justin Jefferson hauled in two of those touchdowns, giving him seven for the season, which ranks second in the SEC behind Alabama’s DeVonta Smith’s eight touchdown catches.

The Bayou Bengals did not allow Utah State’s quarterback, Jordan Love, to get into the rhythm, picking off the Aggies’ signal-caller three times. Star safety Grant Delpit would come up with one of those interceptions, as would fellow defensive backs Derek Stingley Jr. and Kary Vincent Jr.

Florida vs LSU All-Time Series

Despite being in different divisions within the SEC, these two schools have played each other every year since 1971. In 65 total meetings, the Gators hold a narrow 33-29-3 lead over LSU. Last year’s game saw the 20th ranked Gators upset no. 5 LSU 27-19 in the Swamp, where then-sophomore safety Brad Stewart Jr. iced the game with a pick-six late in the fourth quarter.

This will be the first game since 2015 where both teams are ranked in the top 10 of the AP Poll. That game was won by the sixth-ranked Tigers, who came out on top 35-28. Former LSU coach Les Miles relied on his usual trickery to pull out the victory with a fake field goal that produced a 16-yard touchdown run from kicker Trent Domingue. Current Jacksonville Jaguars running back, Leonard Fournette, also played a big role in this game with 180 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Florida Roster Notes

Redshirt junior quarterback Kyle Trask is expected to play after leaving early in last week’s game against Auburn.

Sophomore running back Dameon Pierce is listed as questionable with a concussion suffered against Auburn.

Sophomore linebacker Amari Burney is listed as questionable with an undisclosed injury.

Redshirt senior defensive end Jabari Zuniga is expected to play after missing the Auburn game with an ankle injury.

LSU Roster Notes

Sophomore safety Kenan Jones is no longer with the team after electing to enter the transfer portal.

Senior running back Lanard Fournette is no longer with the team after withdrawing from school on October 2nd.

Sophomore receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. has been downgraded to doubtful as he is still recovering from a stress fracture in his left foot.

Freshman cornerback Cordale Flott will not play due to an undisclosed injury.

Redshirt junior defensive end Glen Logan is listed as questionable with a foot injury but is expected to be a participant in practice this week.

Senior defensive end Rashard Lawrence is listed as questionable with an ankle injury but is expected to participate in practice this week.

Senior linebacker Michael Divinity Jr. is listed as questionable with a knee injury but is expected to participate in practice this week.

Junior fullback Tory Carter is listed as questionable with an undisclosed injury.

Although Florida’s offensive approach is far from an air raid attack, they will look to keep LSU honest with their passing game. One of their most important pieces in that area is their big tight end Kyle Pitts, who will be shadowed by numerous LSU defenders, with senior linebacker Michael Divinity Jr. likely getting that assignment more often than not.

Kyle Pitts

Tight End | 6-6, 239lb | Archbishop Wood HS | Philadelphia, PA | Sophomore

After not being featured in the offense with Feleipe Franks under center, Kyle Pitts has emerged as Florida’s leading pass catcher this season. Pitts has quickly established a rapport with Kyle Trask, catching no fewer than four passes each game since Trask took over against Kentucky in the third game of the season. His eight catch performance last week against Auburn shows how important he is to the offense, given his huge catch radius as a six-foot-six target.

Michael Divinity Jr.

Middle Linebacker | 6-2, 241lb | John Ehret HS | Marrero, LA | Senior

A four-star recruit who saw the field early and often as a freshman in 2016, Michael Divinity Jr. has gained valuable experience playing in the SEC West. The in-state product has used that experience to become a leader on LSU’s defense, where he has lined up at multiple linebacker spots. Divinity Jr. has developed a knack for anticipating plays and blowing them up before they can happen, whether it may be as a pass rusher or in zone coverage. With great cover linebackers coming at a premium in the pro ranks, he should expect to hear his name called early when the draft rolls around.

Florida at LSU Predictions and Odds

Find the latest odds for Florida vs LSU below. The odds are provided by New Jersey sportsbooks 888Sport NJ, DraftKings, and Unibet NJ.

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