Preview: LSU @ Florida - October 11, 2008
By Razor Sharp Sports
How often can you say that a batle between #4 & #11 isn’t the top match-up of the weekend? Well, this week the Red River Rivalry between #1 Oklahoma and #5 Texas may take the top billing, but when #4 LSU heads to Gainville to take #11 Florida there will be plenty of eyes watching. Lucky for us, the TV networks were wise enough to put the Big-12 battle during the day and the SEC tilt at night so we won’t have to wear out out jump button on the remote. Here we are going to look at the night battle in the SEC. We may be looking at a rematch later this season for the Conference Championship, sorry Vandy and Bama, I don’t mean to count you out.  We have a battle of the last 2 National Champions.
Last year’s champs are out to a perfect 4-0. They are 2-0 in the SEC West with victories over Mississippi St at home and on the road against then #10 Auburn. The Tigers had last week off and have had 2 weeks to prepare for this key match-up. There are so many similarities to last year’s team for the Tigers. Offensively they haven’t put up incredible numbers, but they are getting the job done. The quarterbacking duties have been split between Freshman Jarrett Lee and Junior Andrew Hatch. Hatch suffered a concussion against Auburn and Lee has handle the QB duties since. Lee became the first freshman to start at QB for LSU since Herb Tyler did it in 1995. Hatch is listed as probable this week, but his playing time may continue to be limited. This season Lee has completed 58.4% of his passes for 643 yards, 6TDs and 3 ints. Hatch has completed 51.4% for 218 yards, 1TD and 1 int. The rushing game has been strong all season long . Junior Charles Scott has ran for 535 yards (133.8 per game) and 6TDs. He averages 7.5 yards per carry. The true strength of the team again looks to be on the defense. Currently the defense ranks in the top-20 in points against (15.3)  and yards against (260.8). The unit is lead by S Harry Coleman (22 tackles) and LB Perry Riley (20 tackles).
On the other side of the ball is the Florida Gators. The Gators bounced back last week from their upset loss to Mississippi, by dominating Arkansas 38-7. Of course when you talk about the Gators, you have to start with Heisman Trophy winning QB Tim Tebow. Tebow’s numbers have been down a bit this season, but that hasn’t affected the teams performance. Last year Tebow averaged 253 yards passing and 69 rushing per game. This year that is down to 205 passing and 31 rushing. He also threw for 32 TDs (2.5 per game) and 23 rushing TDs (1.8 per game). This year he has thrown for just 8 TDs (1.6 per game) and ran for just 2 scores. Still with Tebows numbers being down, the teams productivity is up. Last year they outscored opponents by 19 points per game and this year they are taking care of opponents by an average of 25 points per game. The reason would be the supporting cast. This year, Tebow is just the 4th leading rusher. Chris Rainey leads the team with 220 yards and double threat Percy Harvin had ran for 177 yards rushing and 284 yards receiving with a combined 5 TDs. The Gator defense is led by LB Brandon Spikes with 41 tackles, 1 sack and a forced fumble. Upfront pressure on the opponents quarterbacks have come from all directions. DL Carlos Dunlop (3.5 sacks), Jermaine Cunningham (3 sacks) & Lawrence Marsh (3 sacks) have kept QB running all season.
Last season LSU beat Florida 28-24 in Baton Rouge and the year before it was Florida winning 23-10. The Gators have won 11 of the last 16 meetings and have gone 10-6 ATS. This series has also gone UNDER the total in 10 of the last 13 games include all 5 in Florida. I look for the defensive trend to continue here in this one. As a free winner for this weekend take the LSU/FLORIDA game UNDER the total. We lost our free pick here last week and our record dropped to 4-2, but we are still 3-0 with our college free picks. Lets keep things going this week.  Don’t forget you can always get a free winner each and everyday from us by going to www.feeplays.com and clicking on Razor Sharp Sports or you can alwasy call the Razor Sharp Free Pick Phone at 1-800-549-7111.