By Hunt Palmer
It’s time for SEC action on a Saturday night in Death Valley.
Florida comes to town fresh off of an embarrassing effort against South Florida. The Tigers didn’t play up to their standard last week again Louisiana Tech, either.
Both teams desperately need a win. Billy Napier is firmly on the hot seat in Gainesville, and LSU sees itself as a playoff contender. A loss would be hugely detrimental to both causes.
On the injury report, both teams welcome back an interior piece at the line of scrimmage. Braelin Moore will play at center for the Tigers, and defensive tackle Caleb Banks makes his season debut for Florida.
We asked the team at 104.5 ESPN Baton Rouge for their picks. Here’s what they think.
Jacob Hester, Co-host, Off the Bench: LSU owes Florida for last year. This is a real rivalry. The best venue in college football will show up and make it a nightmare for the Florida Gators. 27-17, LSU
Matt Flynn, Co-host, Off the Bench: Talent takes over. The better team with the better coaches wins. We’re going to destroy them. 34-16, LSU
Taylor Sharp, Video Producer, Off the Bench: I expect a lower scoring game. LSU’s offense has moved the ball this season. They just haven’t found the endzone very often, and I think that continues Saturday. The injuries to Braelin Moore and Trey’Dez Green only add to their struggles. Fortunately, the Blake Baker defense is legit, and DJ Lagway has not done a lot to impress me during his time in Gainesville. I think LSU stops the run well and shuts down the Gators offense. 23-13, LSU.
Alondra Villarreal, Audio Producer, Off the Bench: All I know is, it sucks to be a Florida Gator! 31-14 TIGAHS.
Charles Hanagriff, Co-host, Live at Lunch: Tigers done with the Clemson hangover, defense gets after Lagway. 27-13, LSU.
Jimmy Ott, Co-host, Live at Lunch: 27-10, LSU
Hunt Palmer, Host, The Hunt Palmer Show: The LSU offense continues to struggle. That’s my call until I see something different. However, this defense and that stadium form a serious combination. LSU’s offense settles for some field goals, but the defense gets it done. 20-17, LSU.
Jacob Beck, Audio Producer, The Hunt Palmer Show: If anyone is expecting Florida to come to Baton Rouge and lay down on Saturday, don’t. The average margin of victory in the last eight games between the Tigers and Gators? Nine. This game is almost always a nail-biter, and I don’t expect anything different, especially with a Florida team that’s playing for its life. Don’t worry about what happened last week, for either team. This one will be interesting. In the end, LSU at home gets it done. 23-20, LSU
Matt Moscona, Host, After Further Review: LSU’s defense will keep Florida at arm’s length. The offense just needs to play clean. I like LSU to win it. 24-14, LSU
Matthew Musso, Audio Producer, After Further Review: The LSU defense is the difference in the game. Florida’s offense is struggling. DJ Lagway is still coming along after his offseason filled with injury. Billy Napier said earlier this week he’s only really had three weeks of practice. Seems like a really bad recipe against this version of the Tiger defense. I don’t expect LSU’s offense to really turn a corner. I still think the run game struggles, and Tyreak Sapp and Caleb Banks will get to Garrett Nussmeier, but as Brian Kelly’s bunch has done the previous two weeks they will do enough to win on that side of the ball. 24-13, LSU.
Paul O’Neill, Video Producer, After Further Review: LSU will wake up from its fog and get back in rhythm on offense. The defense finally finds a way to put a stop to the rushing QB, and the hot seat for Billy Napier gets a little warmer in Gainesville. 30-20, LSU.
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