A History of the Rivalry:

LSU v Florida is personally my favorite rivalry for LSU, as I have lived in Florida most of my life and have been to 3-4 UF v LSU games. My first LSU/UF game was 2018, which was Joe Burrows first year at LSU where the tigers lost to UF 27-19. The game was iced when Chauncey Gardner-Johnson intercepted Burrows pass and returned it for the pick 6 making the comeback even more difficult.

The history of this matchup is legendary and there is always a strange aura around both fanbases when these teams come to play, as no matter their record either team can beat the other. That "aura", leads to insane outcomes and storylines produced from the matchup, such as LSU @ Florida in 2020, where the Gators were going to make the playoffs and their final game was against a 5-6 LSU in Gainesville. LSU came into the swamp and played their hearts out and essentially won the game after UF DB Marco Wilson threw LSU TE Kole Taylors shoe on 3rd down for an unsportsmanlike like penalty, giving LSU a first down and the opportunity to kick a game winning field goal in the fog. Both teams no matter the status on the season would play their hearts out and ensure the fans of both sides remember the game.

2024 matchup:

A few similarities with these two teams is their seasons are both turning into disappointment. LSU is on a 2 game losing streak, and Florida just got blown out by Texas in an embarrassing loss. So what's on the line for these two teams? For Florida, saving face and having a top 25 win under Billy Napiers belt, for LSU, getting a much needed win and gaining confidence for Nussmeier and the Tigers as a whole. Florida is fighting to maintain bowl eligibility, and LSU is fighting to hold onto to winning to end the season 9-3.

The UF athletic department has come out and said Billy Napier is their guy and they do not plan on releasing him from the program even after 3 disappointing season. Tio give Napier Credit, UFs schedule this year is insanely difficult as they had the hardest schedule in college football, but the Gators still haven't shown much improvement even with the recruits and players Napier landed.

The Tigers and Brian Kelly look to gain some positivity after two disappointing games. Brian Kelly is not on the hot seat but after last week where LSU got blown out by Alabama, it is safe to say coach Kellys seat is getting heated up.

Prediction:

Billy Napier came out and said that DJ Lagway will start for Florida after speculation he was injured and wont return in the season. It is an interesting development as Lagway adds a sense of a dual threat quarterback to the game and that has been LSU weakness these past two games such as Texas A&M and Alabama. If LSU defense plays like they did in the first half of the season with the defense getting stops and applying pressure on the quarterback, LSU will win this game. However, if they allow UF to gain momentum and to keep the crowd in the game, it is going to be a super long night.

In the end of the day, I do think LSU wins this game, and I think it will be LSU bounce back game with a 35-10 win over Florida. I think LSU has more talent and more to prove in this game, and after getting embarrassed at home by Alabama, I think LSU comes out with their hair on fire.