Against LSU, Florida will find out just how good they really are

[travisduncan]

Oct 8, 2011; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; The Florida Gators offense lines up against the LSU Tigers defense during the second half at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Florida 41-11. Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

By Travis Duncan
Gator Envy writer

"Games like this -- LSU, Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia -- they all tend to tell you where you’re going to be in the season and how good you really are," Gators sophomore fullback Hunter Joyer said via the schools website.

"A lot of people still doubt us and don’t really believe in this Florida team, so I think we need to make a statement."

No. 4 LSU (5-0) and No. 10 Florida (4-0) enter Saturday's matchup at the Swamp as Top 10 teams in the AP poll.

It’s the fourth time that both teams have ranked in the AP Top 10 entering the game.

LSU isn't hard to figure out, on defense they have the best of the best in terms of speed, size and athleticism. They will go after the quarterback and attack the ball. LSU is ranked 9th overall in FBS for points allowed averaging just 12.6 points per game over five games.

Offensively the Tigers like to run the ball with running backs Kenny Hilliard and Alfred Blue who are averaging 6.9 and 6.8 yards per rush, respectively. LSU averages 229 yards per game which is 19th best in FBS.

LSU though has something to prove of its own. The Tigers have just played one FBS power, a rebuilding Auburn team, and squeaked out a 12-10 victory Sept. 22nd.

LSU also has wins against North Texas, Washington, Idaho, and Townson.

A year ago LSU defeated Florida 41-11.

"We wore down as the game went on last year," Florida linebacker Jon Bostic said via Gannett Louisiana.

"It was definitely the low point of the season," Gators' wide receiver Frankie Hammond Jr. said regarding the loss via Gannett Louisiana.

"Going into the game, we felt really good. We don't want to lose like that."

D.J. Humphries at left tackle

As Xavier Nixon has struggled at left tackle, head coach Will Muschamp said that freshman D.J. Humphries could get the start Saturday against LSU.

"[Humphries is] a guy that's worked hard ever since he's gotten here," freshman quarterback Jeff Driskel told the Independent Florida Alligator.

"He came in in the spring a little undersized, but he's really fast and he's great in his technique. We have all the confidence in the world in him. If need be he plays, he'll be fine."

LSU has a tremendous defensive line, "You go block this front you've done something," Muschamp said via the Associated Press.

"They're very good. They've recruited well. They've got depth. They're big, fast and physical."

 

[DRU2012]

I really like that Joyer has the attitude that he does, that "people doubt us so I think we need to make a statement." Hope that's indicative of the whole team's outlook...It's all very well for us fans to come in "just hoping we can play 'em close and find a way to tough out a win", but that sort of attitude on a team going into one like this will likely only get you beat--so what if it's "close"?
Look, this is the right time and place for us to be playing one of the elite teams of the SEC, find out what we got right now--and if we got it, let the world know. It's scary for us fans, sure, but for the team it is the challenge they need, here and now, the reality check, whether splash of cold water to the face or raising the curtain on a first glimpse of what can be.

 

[NaffGutts]

I think Muschamp has set our Gators up for success in this game. He is personally out in practice with his linesman, he comes from Texas who spits out NFL caliber lines and he is a defensive genius when it comes to teaching technique. Add our new conditioning drills and you have a winning recipe for stopping this so called "elite" defense