LSU defender Patrick Peterson tried stopping the Florida rush attack

Florida continues to make their case for a third National Championship in the last four years, and this year, their defense may carry them to the championship. Here are some of the gaudy numbers the Florida defense put up against #4 LSU in Baton Rouge.

-LSU was held under 100 yards rushing and 100 yards passing

-LSU converted 1 of 9 third downs

-Brandon LaFell, Terrence Tolliver and Richard Dickson, combined for seven catches

-Six of LSU’s eight drives were six plays or less

-LSU had the ball for 23 minutes

Florida’s defense also limited LSU’s offense to 3 points. For LSU, that’s the fewest points scored at home since they were shutout by Alabama on November 16th, 2002. LSU’s offensive line couldn’t run or pass block very well vs. Florida, and it made it tough for LSU to do anything. The skill players were non-existent and Jordan Jefferson seemed overwhelmed on each snap from scrimmage.

The biggest storyline entering Florida-LSU’s battle in Baton Rouge was whether or not Tim Tebow would play due to his concussion from two weeks earlier. Tebow started and played the whole game for Florida, but it wouldn’t have made a difference if he played or not. The former Heisman winner ran the ball only five times with little success in the first half. He was used as a decoy for most of the half, handing off to Demps, Moody or Rainey.

Florida ran the football 48 times for 193 yards. They simply wore out the LSU defense, and controlled the clock. LSU’s defensive line helped out Florida by committing 9,000 offside penalties. The Gators offense featured so many moving parts,  it was essential for defenders to have gap discipline. For the most part, LSU defenders maintained their gap responsibility, if anything, they over-compensated for Tim Tebow’s running threat. For being on the field for 35 minutes of the game, stopping Florida on a 4th down, and limiting that high-powered offense to 13 points, I would say LSU’s D played really well. In fact, the 13 points scored by Florida is the fewest in any win in the Urban Meyer era. However, if Florida had a fully-healthy Tim Tebow, Florida probably blows this game out, but that is neither here nor there.

Florida’s offense showed they can be aggressive, and in this game they played conservative. Florida will be an incredibly difficult team to beat this year and I think Alabama and Texas are the only two teams that could pose a serious threat to the Gators.

As an LSU fan, this was a frustrating game to watch. LSU’s defense kept LSU in the game, but the offense couldn’t score points, let alone put together long drives. Jordan Jefferson’s didn’t play well, but at the same time, he was under constant pressure. I was hoping they would put Russell Sheppard at QB at some point in this game, I don’t believe he played a snap, I may be wrong on this, but it seemed that way. LSU ran a conservative offense the whole game and I’m not sure why. Granted, if you can’t block, play calling is a moot point.

LSU’s #4 ranking was inflated due to a soft schedule, and they were beaten by a better team on Saturday for the first time in their last 22 home night games in front of a record-setting attendance.

Up next for LSU…they have a bye week next Saturday, and then they host the Auburn Tigers on October 24th.