With LSU’s 17-6 win over Florida in Death Valley Saturday afternoon, the Tigers remain in full control of their path to a potential SEC championship. Sure, it’s still an uphill battle, but LSU remains in the driver’s seat.
The Tigers used their defensive power to hold Florida to 239 yards and just six points. Florida had just five third down conversions out of 17, although Florida was three of four on fourth down. Florida rarely had any sort of offensive momentum working in their favor, which is generally typical of teams facing LSU on their home turf. This may have been the LSU defense’s best performance from start to finish of the season. Two weeks after giving up 44 points in a loss at Georgia, LSU’s defense looked like the best defense in the SEC and the Tigers once again looked like the most complete team in the conference, a scary thought for sure. Running back Jeremy Hill had another big day on the ground, with 121 rushing yards.
LSU still has games against Texas A&M and Alabama. The Aggies and Crimson Tide should be LSU’s biggest hurdles on the track to Atlanta. Those games will come in back-to-back games in November, and the schedule helps LSU prepare for each of them. Prior to playing on the road at Alabama, LSU will have home game against Furman from the FCS. The Tigers should have no problem getting by that week, allowing LSU to maybe rest a number of key players before the bout in Tuscaloosa. Then LSU will have a bye week before hosting Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M.
LSU can absolutely hang with Alabama and Texas A&M. Their defense is capable of leading the way and Zach Mettenberger and Hill on offense, the Tigers will remain a top threat in the SEC. The Tigers are on the road next week to play Ole Miss.
Despite the loss, Florida still manages to be in control of their season as well. The Gators suffered their second loss of the year but just the first in SEC play. Their loss comes on a day that saw Georgia lose for their first time in the SEC, with Missouri continuing to remain without a loss. Florida still has games against every top threat in the SEC East in front of them. The second half of the year will be a battle for Florida and to go through it with Tyler Murphy at quarterback instead of the injured Jeff Driskel could be an adventure for the Gators. Next week Florida travels to Missouri, who now owns sole possession of first place in the SEC East as the only undefeated team in the division. Florida has a week off after Missouri before facing Georgia in Jacksonville and will travel to South Carolina in the middle of November. What kind of shape will Florida be in at that point?