Two of the biggest overachieving teams in the country are getting ready to square off this Saturday. The #8 Florida Gators travel to the home of the #6 LSU Tigers for a marquee matchup. Both teams come in with undefeated records and having reset the expectations for their season.
When the season started, both teams were seen as a year or two away from competing for the spot in the college playoff. Six weeks into the season and those prospects have changed dramatically. Florida is lead by a fast and opportunistic defense. LSU is led back the best running back in college football. When they meet on Saturday, sparks will fly.
Mr. Fournette
A lot has been written over the past few weeks about Leonard Fournette’s future. Before we talk (or write) too much about when life in the NFL will start for this talented young man, let’s just take a moment and reflect on what an exceptional college player he has been.
Since week one, teams have known LSU is going to be a run first team. They’re not fooling anyone and yet team stacking the box doesn’t seem to stop Fournette. More credit needs to be paid to the LSU offensive line but when he breaks the line of scrimmage, Fournette is as exciting a back as college football has seen in years.
Here’s what Fournette has done by game this season:
- @ Mississippi State = 28 carries, 159 yards, 3 TDs
- vs. Auburn = 19 carries, 228 yards, 3 TDs
- @ Syracuse = 26 carries, 244 yards, 2 TDs
- vs. Eastern Michigan = 26 carries, 233 yards, 3 TDs
- @ South Carolina = 20 carries, 158 yards, 1 TD
Stats courtesy of ESPN
So guess what are you going to see more of on Saturday? Mr. Fournette will should get at least 25 chances to punish Gator defenders. Unlike so many other talented running backs in CFB, he doesn’t look for a corner as much as he looks to run you over. A lot of comparisons have been made but for my money, this kid reminds me of Auburn legend Bo Jackson. You gotta admit there is a resemblance even if the jerseys are different. Jackson was 6”1, 230 lbs when he played. Fournette is 6”1 and 230 lbs as well. Both guys had a big bruising style with incredible bursts. Both guys played in the SEC. I could go on but I’m just saying if the shoe fits …
I’m not the only one who sees it. Former Penn State and Washington Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington made the same comparison on the Dan Patrick Show (video here). And it doesn’t stop there. Football legend Herschel Walker recently said this of Fournette: “He’s better than I was.” That simple statement says a lot.
He’s been named SEC player of the week for three straight weeks and Vegas odd (1st year betting is allowed) has him as a clear favorite for the Heisman. Even if you’re not rooting for either team, just getting the chance to see this kid play a bit more is worth the investment of your time.
The Maturation of Brandon Harris
LSU starting QB Brandon Harris, who beat out Anthony Jennings for starting job, came into the season with a high ceiling but lite on experience. Jennings was more a known commodity and had “a little more veteran” experience about him, as Head Coach Les Mills put it. On the other hand, Miles called Harris “a little more explosive.”
Gradually since their week one victory (which actually happened in week two due to weather), Harris has grown as a leader. He’s quickly becoming the “veteran” signal caller. And maybe even more importantly,since spring scrimmage, he seems to have understood his role on the team. While he’s not likely to light up the stat sheet just yet, playing mistake-free football is key to running the Tiger offense. So far, Harris has done what so many other young QBs fail to do — play within themselves and their system.
Cam Cameron serves as the LSU offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He’s a veteran of both the NCAA and the NFL and if no stranger to developing young QBs. He and Les Mills go way back to their days together in Michigan under Bo Schembechler. Cameron noted Harris’ progress before the season started:
“I think a lot of lights went on in the spring. When you can sit back and reflect on any season, especially a season that has some ups and downs, if you’re the right kind of kid and the right kind of person, you’re going to reflect, take it personally to a degree and you’re going to let that help you grow,” Cam Cameron said on Media Day talking about QB Brandon Harris.
Gators Forced to Change QBs
Florida head coach Jim McElwain told the media at the beginning of the season that he had two quarterbacks that could successfully run his offense. After splitting snaps during their first game this season, redshirt freshman Will Grier was anointed as the starter with sophomore Treon Harris waiting in the wings. Now due to a failed drug test, Harris will get his opportunity to lead the Gators.
Grier and McElwain met with the media on Monday to announce the mandatory one-year suspension of Florida’s starting QB. Grier was taking an over-the-counter supplement which may have helped him gain 20 pounds over the last 18 months. It may not have been his intent to gain an unfair advantage, but the drug is on the NCAA’s banned list.
“I did not check with the medical staff before taking it,” Grier said in a press conference. “I really hope that people can learn from this, learn from my mistake. I’m really, really sorry to everyone. Just really sorry.”
While he is appealing the decision, NCAA rules dictate Grier will remain suspended through that process.
Harris is not without game experience. As a freshman, he played in 9 games and threw for over 1,000 yards. On the season, he is 19 for 27 with 269 yards and 2 touchdowns. He’s a bit undersized at 5”11 but he is elusive and is as willing run as he is to pass. Expect The Gators to take advantage of this with more designed plays for Harris to call his own number.
DEFENSE! DEFENSE!
Both teams play exceptional defense. Florida comes in ranked #16 in total defense while LSU is ranked #14. LSU’s offense is also #14 in the nation in time of possession allowing that defensive unit to conserve energy. Florida’s defense is allowing just a tad over 14 points a game which is good enough for #11 in the nation (and takes pressure off the Florida offense).
The Gators have a nose for the football having successfully secured 13 takeaways in 6 games. They are equally as fond of the fumble recovery as the interception with 6 and 7 respectively.
Both teams have been tough against the run allowing less than 100 yards per game. Opponents are averaging just over 3 yards per carry against each unit. With LSU’s propensity for rushing the ball and the Gator’s necessity to do so, something’s bound to give.
Some of the best athletes on either roster play on the defensive side of the football. Whatever the outcome, it’s likely they’ll be plenty of defensive highlights on Sunday morning.
Why Florida Will Win
Let’s forget about the Gators “stopping” Fournette. Assume he has another productive game; there is a way the Gators can still win. The key will be turnovers. Florida’s defense needs to play fast and aggressive looking for opportunities to take away the ball. The Gator offense needs someone to step up in the absence of QB Will Grier. It’s doesn‘t necessarily have to be his replacement Treon Harris. This would be a good time for junior WR Demarcus Robinson to step up. His season started slow but he’s looked a lot better in the last two games (8-98 vs Ole Miss and 6-79 vs. Missouri). A few big plays out of him would take a lot of pressure off of Harris.
Why LSU Will Win
One of these two teams is overachieving and LSU needs to prove its not them. Les Mills’ group wants to be in the national title talk, this is the game to make a statement. The distraction of losing their starting QB is going to hurt the Gators and no team yet has found an answer for Leonard Fournette. No need to get fancy … play tough defense and keep feeding that monster running back and LSU should be fine.
The BOLD Prediction
LSU proves to the nation they are a real contender — LSU 35, Florida 14