Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Tropical Storm Nate never had a chance against Hurricane Matthew.

Early in the week, the possibility Nate might head for Florida with LSU coming to town on Saturday existed. We all know how Matthew messed with this annual SEC East-West rivalry game in 2016.

Instead, Nate drifted west toward the Gulf Coast, where it is projected to land on Saturday night. Best of luck to those impacted by Nate in what has been a way-too-active hurricane season for everyone by this point.

Meanwhile, the Gators and Tigers are scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m. at The Swamp on UF Homecoming.

The drama of last year's game has been left primarily for writers and talking heads to relive what turned into a Florida win to clinch the SEC East title for the second consecutive season.

Following the victory, which capped a week of turmoil and bad blood as LSU fans suggested the Gators were scared to come to Baton Rouge for a "home" game, Gators coach Jim McElwain tossed his own voice into the echo chamber.

"The way I look at it, they got what they deserved," McElwain said during his postgame press conference in the bowels of Tiger Stadium.

They call that a zinger.

The No. 21-ranked Gators (3-1, 3-0) have a different outlook heading into this one against LSU (3-2, 0-1), which is coming off a stunning home loss to Troy.

"I think people make a lot more of it than it was,'' McElwain said.

This rivalry is heated enough, so this year's game will survive the absence of a hurricane-themed story line.

Social media has not been as interesting, though.

For now, here is a closer look at the Florida-LSU matchup in this week's edition of The Opening Kickoff:
 

It's almost that time...#LSUvsUF ?? pic.twitter.com/HIGeIQ7nyV

— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) October 6, 2017

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THREE QUESTIONS WITH … GATORS OFFENSIVE LINEMAN BRETT HEGGIE
 
Q: What are your thoughts on emergence of Malik Davis?
 

A: Another young kid who just came in, especially that Kentucky game, I was really proud of him. He was put in situations in the game, critical situations where he had to get a first down or make a big play, and he made those plays and he's continued to make those plays. I'm excited about what he brings to our team for this season and the seasons to come.

Q: What did you learn about the Florida-LSU rivalry from your first season a year ago?

A: I redshirted, but I did actually travel. And going into it, being a redshirt, I knew I wasn't gonna play. I kind of didn't really feel the rivalry. But as soon as I stepped on the field, I could feel it within our players and our coaches and our sideline. You know, the crowd especially, and how intense the rivalry is. Especially the ending was crazy. I'm just looking forward to being a part of it and playing.

Q: Has there been any carryover to the drama leading up to last year's game?

A: Nah. I think we're just focused on going out and playing ball the way we know how to play. Overall, as an offense, we've gotten better every single week, and we're gonna continue to get better. That's just due to guys preparing in practice and taking practice seriously, you know what I mean? I think we've done a great job of that the last three weeks, and we're just gonna continue to keep getting better.
 
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THREE STORYLINES
 

• Feleipe Franks, an LSU commit until the Gators swooped in and signed him, is back as Florida's starting quarterback after coming off the bench to replaced injured Luke Del Rio a week ago. Franks finished 10 of 14 for 185 yards and looked more comfortable running the offense. The Gators hope for more of the same against the Tigers.
• This game was shrouded in controversy and social-media drama a year ago when Hurricane Matthew forced it to be moved to Baton Rouge. The Gators got the last laugh with an upset win at Tiger Stadium. Much less drama this year for the Gators, but LSU held a players-only meeting and head coach Ed Orgeron and his coordinators met with Athletic Director Joe Alleva to discuss the program. That's a lot of meetings for one week and it will be interesting to see how the Tigers respond following the loss to Troy.
• The Gators are coming off their most impressive win of the season – 38-24 over Vanderbilt – rolling up 467 yards of total offense. Florida is in excellent position in the SEC East race and another strong performance would be add an extra jolt of confidence.

 
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THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH
 

• UF freshman running back Malik Davis is not your average true freshman based on his performance the past three games. Davis is coming off his first career 100-yard game and is a threat to break free each time he touches the ball.
• Tigers linebacker Arden Key is a gifted pass rusher who has 17.5 career sacks. He is one shy of moving into the top 10 on LSU's career list. Key has underperformed in a lot of people's eyes so far and is due for a breakout game.
• Linebacker Vosean Joseph's hit on LSU quarterback Danny Etling in last season's game was one of the top individual highlights for the Gators in 2016. Joseph is back. Etling is back. Perhaps they will meet again. Joseph is one of Florida's most physical players and always a threat to deliver a highlight-worthy tackle.

 
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THREE DIGITS
 
365 -- Consecutive non-shutout streak for Gators, who have not been blanked in 29 years. The streak is tied with Michigan for longest in FBS history.

16-0 – Florida's record under Jim McElwain when it outrushes opponent.

10 – Consecutive wins for LSU in October, dating back to 2014 season.
 
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THE QUOTE FILE
 

• "I think that really escalated it.'' – Former Gators quarterback Tim Tebow on UF's 2003 win over LSU and head coach Nick Saban and how that impacted rivalry
• "I said to myself, 'I knew Florida was going to win and here's why: You don't pick a fight with Florida.' I knew the game was over right then before it was played." – Gators running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider on last season's pregame altercation between Leonard Fournette and former UF secondary coach Torrian Gray
• "Basically, you want to see who can step up and be a leader in a time of need like this. Most people would put their head down after a game like that because it was a tragic loss." – LSU linebacker Devin White on players-only meeting this week
• "I earned the job, [was] given the interim job and I earned it, whether you like it or not." – Tigers coach Ed Orgeron to a critical call on his weekly radio show
• "It was gut-wrenching for our entire family. We are Tiger fans historically, through and through. If you look it as a coach, we need to win the line of scrimmage. You didn't do that. You cannot turn the ball over. You can't fumble, you can't have interceptions on key drives. And you have to tackle. If you can't tackle, you're not winning games." – Former LSU coach Les Miles, during his "Les Is More" podcast for The Players Tribune, on LSU's loss to Troy

 
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INJURY REPORT
 
OUT FOR SEASON: DB Marcell Harris (Achilles tendon). OUT: WR Tyrie Cleveland (ankle), DT Kyree Campbell (knee), LB Nick Smith (knee), WR James Robinson (heart condition), QB Kyle Trask (foot surgery); PROBABLE: DT Khairi Clark (leg); SUSPENDED: RB Jordan Scarlett, WR Rick Wells, WR Antonio Callaway, LB Ventrell Miller, OL Kadeem Telfort, DL Jordan Smith, DL Keivonnis Davis, LB James Houston IV, DT Richerd Desir-Jones.
 
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CHARTING THE GATORS 
 
The Gators can break the all-time record for most consecutive games without being shut out if they score on Saturday. They have not been shut out since a 16-0 loss at home to Auburn on Oct. 29, 1988.

A look at the closest calls over that span:
 

OPPONENT	YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE
Georgia	1988	Jacksonville	L 26-3
Tennessee	1990	Knoxville	L 45-3
Alabama	2005	Tuscaloosa	L 31-3
Alabama	2010	Tuscaloosa	L 31-3
Florida State	2015	Gainesville	L 27-2

 
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10 QUICK HITTERS
 

• The Gators are tied atop the SEC with Alabama in defensing third-down conversions, limiting opponents to a 28.1 percent success rate (16 of 57).
• The Gators own an advantage in the LSU rivalry at home (15-12-3) and in Baton Rouge (17-16).
• Florida's 51 rushing attempts last week against Vanderbilt were its most since 60 rushes against Georgia in 2014.
• Gators sophomore running back Lamical Perine became the first UF player to rush for three touchdowns in a game last week since quarterback Jeff Driskel in 2012 against Vanderbilt.
• Running back Malik Davis became the first Gators true freshman to rush for 100 yards and two touchdowns in a game since Jeff Demps in 2008.
• LSU has only four players – Christian LaCouture, JD Moore, Ed Paris (out) and Darrel Williams – on its roster who played the last time the Tigers visited UF in 2014.
• Tigers coach Ed Orgeron, who faced significant fan unrest after last week's loss to Troy, is 25-31 all-time as a head coach.
• LSU quarterback Danny Etling is set to make his 28th career start – 12 at Purdue, 15 at LSU – which makes him the most experienced starter for the Tigers since Herb Tyler in 1998.
• The Gators are trying to defeat LSU in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2008-09.
• UF senior receiver Brandon Powell needs two receptions to reach 100 for his career.

 
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THE OTHER SIDE
 
The Gators defense lined up at the goal line and waited for LSU running back Derrius Guice to get the ball. He did. The Gators stopped Guice short of the end zone, setting off one of the most memorable celebrations in Florida football history.

The 16-10 win secured a second consecutive SEC East title for the Gators and for it to happen at LSU in a game originally scheduled to be played at Florida made it that much sweeter for Gator Nation.

The talented Guice, considered a potential Heisman candidate at the start of the season, is back for the Tigers this week after missing last week's stunning home loss to Troy.

However, LSU coach Ed Orgeron said Guice and fellow tailback Darrel Williams will be limited in Saturday's game. That remains to be seen. Regardless, the Gators prepared to face both despite what Orgeron said Wednesday night on his weekly radio show.

In case you haven't watched the replay in a while, here you go:
 

 
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WHAT THEY'RE WRITING
 

• Last year's hurricane hoopla gives LSU-UF a little more juice writes Matt Baker of The Tampa Bay Times.
• Florida's quarterback controversy is over, but there's no less pressure on Feleipe Franks writes Andy Staples of SI.com.
• LSU had a players-only meeting in 2014 and won at Florida via Glenn Guilbeau of USA Today Network.
• Florida, LSU take their turn on the SEC's merry-go-round of underachievement writes Alex Scarborough of ESPN.com.
• Florida defense looking for playmakers ahead of contest against LSU writes Ethan Bauer of The Miami Herald.
• Bam-Bam Twins making noise early in middle of Gators' defense writes Edgar Thompson of The Orlando Sentinel.
• No place like home for Florida vs. LSU writes Kevin Brockway of The Gainesville Sun.

 
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BOTTOM LINE
 
The Florida-LSU game is always intense. That won't change on Saturday when the teams meet at 'The Swamp' in an important game for both teams. For LSU, a chance to regain some stability and quiet the fan base after the shocking home loss to Troy. For Florida, an opportunity to remain on top of the SEC East and win for the fourth consecutive Saturday. Most of the drama leading up to this one came out of Baton Rouge, where LSU's loss to Troy – snapping the program's 49-game home win streak against nonconference opponents – did not sit well. The momentum is on the Gators' side and expect it to stay that way on Homecoming.