Florida Gators vs LSU Tigers

Florida vs. LSU

This is a huge matchup where win or lose, Texas is sitting back and smiling. To Texas, they probably feel that if they can just let the SEC beat each other up, they will assure themselves of at the very least, a #2 spot on the polls. If LSU beats Florida, the Texas (assuming they win today as well) becomes the clear #1 team in the land. If not, they still hold on to #2.

Last year this contest might not have been so academic, but this year is different. With LSU now #4 in the polls, and with Florida, currently #1 but with some quarterback issues, AND playing at LSU, this can be a game that could knock Florida from the ranks of the undefeated.

Who has the advantage?

Florida comes in the defending National Champs, and to date is undefeated. The last time they lost was to Mississippi, and haven’t lost since. In fact their closest game was the National Championship game to Oklahoma, where they won by 7 points.

This year they had 3 home games, including the win over Tennessee, and their last game was a big time win over Kentucky on the road, but it may have cost them dearly, with starting quarterback Tim Tebow getting a concussion. Fortunately they had a bye week and had some time to get ready, but was it enough time? Some question whether Tebow should play, some say to lean to caution, but some insinuate that they will get him to play because it is a big time game.

The question they all have is whether their star player can play.

On the other side, LSU has risen in the ranks mainly because there had been so many upsets this year already. Remember, LSU was 8-5 last year, and one of those loses was on the road at Florida by 30. They also lost big to Georgia at home, then to Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas…that’s 5 conference loses, and three of those were AT home.

To date, LSU beat Washington on the road 31-23, then beat Vanderbilt and Louisiana-Layfayette. They beat Mississippi State on the road by only 4, and then there’s that controversial (as utterly STUPID) call by the refs during the Georgia game that could very well have cost them that game. But LSU wins and runs out of the state like they stole something.

(mind you, I AM an LSU fan)

It seems that LSU is barely getting by these games, because outside of Georgia, none of these teams currently have a winning record, and we know how that Georgia game went down. Yes a win is a win, but the QUALITY of the win determines if LSU is truly a top 5 power, or a top 25 power. Now you can argue that Florida’s only foe thus far with a winning record was Troy, but I counter immediately by saying that this IS the defending NATIONAL CHAMPS. We know this is a great team.

I think the question comes down to 1) can Florida beat LSU with any quarterback, and 2) can a team that lost 5 games in LSU, all conference games, beat the defending National Champs. Beating Auburn and Mississippi State says nothing, since they won about 4 or 5 games last year, and beating South Carolina was a close game as well.

Folks, I think whether Tebow plays or not, the Florida Gators may be good enough to beat LSU, remember, this is a team that didn’t exactly protect their house last year, losing 3 home games and some of those other home games were a little too close for comfort.

But the X factor is emotion, how will LSU feel to have a chance to knock off the number one team in the land? It is quite possible that this could be part one of a two parter, since they could easily meet again in the SEC Championship. I am an LSU fan, and I have my LSU hat, but I think that with or without Tim Tebow, Florida has the advantage, and can win by 7 points….but if Tebow is healthy, this could be a 14 point win.