https://www.betfirm.com/florida-lsu-odds/
SEC Free Point Spread Prediction: LSU +3.5
If Cleveland, Callaway, and Scarlett were all playing, Florida might win this game handedly. If they had Del Rio, they’d have a better game-manager to drive down the field with. But all those pieces are gone now, and no one should expect LSU to play the way they did against Troy.
This is a game that means a lot to both teams after the whole hurricane debacle last year. Florida’s goal line stand is imprinted in LSU’s mind, and they have an opportunity to take advantage of a team riddled with missing stars.
Derrius Guice is back at practice after being injured, as LSU sat him out a week so he could be fully prepared for Saturday. Both teams will be very one-dimensional, and both defenses look a shade worse because of all the prospects that moved on to the NFL after last year.
But as far as having playmaking personnel, LSU gets the slight edge. They were already thinking ahead to this game before they went on the field against Troy, and now they must answer for it. Look for LSU to pound the ball on the ground. Having a young offensive line doesn’t help their cause, but Guice and Darrel Williams provide a 1-2 punch capable of wearing down most front sevens.
Florida has Davis and Toney to test an LSU defense that gave up over 200 yards rushing last week and against Mississippi State. But without Franks’ favorite receiver, it’s going to be a struggle finding much from the passing game.
Simply put, if LSU can control the line, they can keep Florida off the board. The offensive line for the Gators could only go up after the loss to Michigan in the opener, and they have. But LSU always has lockdown defenders, including LBs Arden Key and Devin White, to help stop Davis.
Over the current century, it’s rare for Florida to beat LSU two years in a row. It hasn’t happened since Tim Tebow was there. Florida also doesn’t usually cover the spread after a game in which they do. In fact, they’ve covered one for their last eight games after winning ATS.
If history is correct, this game is in LSU’s favor. And with Florida missing so many key players, and LSU getting theirs back, forget about last weekend’s Tigers. They’ll have enough ground game to win straight up in Gainesville.
https://www.cbssports.com/college-f...s-lsu-georgia-and-alabama-continue-to-cruise/
(note:this guy is calling this game one of his best bets and for UF to roll in this game)
This rivalry has cranked into high gear over the last calendar year. Hurricane Matthew postponed the originally-scheduled game in Gainesville last year, LSU athletic director Joe Alleva botched negotiations to reschedule it (including
calling the league office "a joke" and perpetuating the ridiculous notion that Florida was trying to duck a rather average Tigers team that recently fired its head coach), the Gators won the SEC East by beating the Tigers at their place instead of at home, and then tabbed them as this year's Homecoming opponent. This year, however, the two teams are going in opposite directions. The Florida defense shut down
Vanderbilt'srunning game and found a running game of its own under
Malik Davis last week, while the Tigers lost as nearly three-touchdown favorites to
Troy -- snapping a streak of 49 home nonconference wins at Tiger Stadium. Florida's defense will rattle LSU quarterback
Danny Etling, the Gators running game will have success against a defense that got overpowered by Troy and the Gators win by double digits
.
