So, here we are……again. Florida is in a must-win scenario very early in a season, the team looks shaken with a head coach you simply can’t trust to manage the actual games, and all of this could be laid to bare on national television at Death Valley for all to see……again.
Any chance of stealing a win will require a MASSIVE effort from the Gator defense, as I have zero trust in the offense under Napier’s lead. There is one small area of opportunity, as LSU has 4 new starters along it’s O-Line, and that unit has not looked cohesive yet. IF……if the alleged strong front seven of Florida actually shows up in force – and that means DT Caleb Banks plays and has an impact – the Gators could disrupt the Tiger offense just enough to steal some extra possessions for the offense. And we all know the Gator offense will need all the help and opportunities it can get. QB Garrett Nussmeier has some weapons to work with in WRs Aaron Anderson and Barion Brown, and RB Caden Durham is a big play threat. Brown, a transfer from Kentucky, is also a huge threat as a kickoff and punt returner. Unless the Gators can win first down and force LSU into obvious passing downs, I can’t see them holding up for 4 quarters – especially trying to support a struggling offense.
Which Florida offense will show up for this one? One that actually discovers ways to attack defenses that will not allow deep throws while leaning on a power running game? Or the one where you never have a sense of continuity or identity, other than a painfully safe dink-and-dunk passing game that won’t score enough points nor control time of possession? That was the formula for last season’s upset win over the Tigers, but does Napier have the capacity to find and stick with an aggressive formula for an entire game? LSU’s D-Line has had some early issues against the run, and the (alleged) strong Florida O-Line has to establish itself and get some push. RBs Jaden Baugh and Ja’Kobi Jackson need to be featured. LSU’s back seven has looked excellent so far. They are led by a solid LB corps that includes Harold Perkins and West Weeks, along with DBs PJ Woodland and Monsoor Delaine. Despite this, Florida has to take shots both in the middle of the field and deep in the passing game, or else it will be another frustrating night. All we heard in the offseason was Napier touting the speed and playmaking ability of the WRs, but he seems incapable of exploiting them……again. The intermediate zone between the hashmarks might as well be labeled the ‘Phantom Zone’ in Napier’s scheme.
LSU remembers well the upset loss they took in Gainesville last season, and will not overlook Florida despite it coming off of an ugly loss and being unranked……again. Brian Kelly is feeling the heat from the TIger faithful who are impatient for a big season and Playoff run, and the pressure is on. Kudos to them for being aggressive in the portal in the offseason and addressing some major roster issues. It ultimately may fall short, but they are swinging for the fences in 2025. I simply don’t expect Florida to be able to win this one without a LOT of help from LSU in the form of turnovers and penalties. It’s obvious to anyone that is paying attention that Napier is incapable of managing the offense or the clock under pressure. The real fear is that, if this is another blowout road loss, that he and the staff start to lose the team, with the schedule only getting more difficult and a LONG way still to go in the season
Prediction:
LSU 38
Florida 13