LSU Florida – Two Teams Try To Rebound From Humbling Experiences
The Florida Gators got smacked around last weekend, and yet they weren’t humiliated more than the LSU Tigers were on October 2.
NCAA football betting: LSU Tigers @ Florida Gators
Online Betting Odds: Florida -7.5
Why To Bet On LSU
The Tigers play superb defense and have a special-teams game-breaker in kick returner Patrick Peterson. The do-everything Peterson has intercepted passes this year and has become one of LSU’s most reliable defensive players, but he’s also run back multiple kicks for touchdowns this season and can give the Tigers a huge edge in field position every time he touches the ball. Peterson is a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate who has also blocked a field goal in 2010 and has singlehandedly carried the Bayou Bengals at times. He is the kind of player who can and does change the trajectory of games, and the Tigers – not the Florida Gators – have him on their roster.
The other reason to pick LSU on Saturday is that Florida’s offense managed only six points against the Alabama Crimson this past weekend. The Gators got pounded, and quarterback John Brantley got roughed up. Florida definitely doesn’t figure to score a lot of points in this game. If LSU can minimize offensive mistakes, it stands a very good chance of staying close until the final few minutes of regulation. Few people are expecting a blowout in this game.
Why To Bet On Florida
After seeing LSU play the Tennessee Volunteers, the Gators – still licking their wounds from the Alabama loss they just suffered, must be liking their chances a little more. LSU’s offense continues to be absolutely atrocious. By all rights, the Tigers should have dropped a 14-10 decision at home to Tennessee last Saturday, but a 13-men-on-the-field penalty against the Vols at the very end of the fourth quarter gave LSU one untimed down with no seconds remaining on the clock. The Tigers – given one last shot from the 1-yard line, pounded the ball into the end zone and gained a fortuitous 16-14 win. LSU had driven down to the Tennessee 2 with over 30 seconds left, but when a running play was stacked up in bounds, the Tigers – without a timeout – panicked. A Chinese fire drill ensued, with LSU shuttling in substitutions and waiting roughly 20 seconds for its new personnel group to get to the line of scrimmage. The next play began with under 10 seconds remaining, and when a bad snap sailed past LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson, the aborted play appeared to have ended the game. It was only a few seconds later that the officials announced the illegal-participation penalty against Tennessee, saving LSU and coach Les Miles from one of the worst losses in college football history. Plainly put, however, LSU’s offense is so inept, and its coaching so horrible, that Florida should enjoy a pronounced advantage in a game it will play at home.
How The Game Will Play Out
Florida won’t score all that much; LSU will barely score at all. The Gators will struggle, but the Tigers’ offense is virtually impossible to watch. Florida might score 13 points and win by double-digits… just like last year’s game in Baton Rouge (13-3 Florida).
LSU Florida Betting Pick: Florida
