Florida Gators versus LSU Tigers Preview
Hector
The Florida Gators return to the Swamp for a big SEC matchup versus the LSU Tigers. The Gators will have some of their key offensive players back from injury, including freshman quarterback DJ Lagway.
Florida suffered their worst loss in the Billy Napier era last Saturday versus Texas. The LSU Tigers were dominated at home versus Alabama. Here is the preview of the Florida Gators versus LSU Tigers game.
LSU Tigers
The LSU Tigers will travel to Gainesville, Florida, to face the Gators in front of a sold-out crowd. The Tigers will be led by their head coach, Brian Kelly, who’s in his third season as the head coach for LSU.
The LSU offense will be led by their veteran quarterback, Garrett Nussmeier. The redshirt junior has completed 62.7% of his passes for 2,866 yards, 21 touchdowns, and eleven interceptions. Nussmeier also has the 13th-ranked QBR in the nation with a 79.4 QBR.
Redshirt senior wide receiver Kyren Lacy has been LSU’s top wide receiver this season. The former Louisiana transfer has been one of the best receivers in the SEC. Lacy has recorded 46 receptions for 697 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Tigers’ defense has not been as dominant as they have been in the past, but they still have some talented players. Senior EDGE rusher Bradyn Swinson has been one of the best pass rushers in the SEC. The Oregon transfer has recorded 42 total tackles on the season. He also leads the Tigers in tackles for loss with 10.5 and sacks with 8.
Sophomore linebacker Whit Weeks is the leading tackler for the LSU Tigers. Weeks has 92 total tackles on the season, which ranks second in the SEC and tied for seventh in the nation. Two other LSU Tigers to watch are tight end Mason Taylor and safety Major Burns.
Florida Gators
The Florida Gators are coming into this game needing a win to become one step closer to bowl eligibility. The Gators will get a major boost with at least two major contributors returning to their offense.
The Florida Gators offense will be led by true freshman quarterback DJ Lagway. The Lone Star State native is back from the hamstring injury he suffered during the Georgia game two weekends ago.
Senior wide receiver Elijhah Badger is also back from injury. The Arizona State transfer missed the Texas game but was removed from the injury report earlier this week. Badger is Florida’s leading receiver with 560 receiving yards on 24 receptions and two touchdowns. Badger ranks second in the SEC and country in yards per reception with a 23.3.
The Florida defense will be without a key player as Grayson “Pup” Howard is out for the LSU Tigers. Florida does have some quality depth at linebacker, but Howard has been a tackling machine for the Gators.
Redshirt junior EDGE rusher Tyreak Sapp has been one of the few defensive players producing this season. Sapp has 28 total tackles, with five tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Two other Gators players to watch this Saturday are running back Jadan Baugh and defensive back Trikweze Bridges.