Open date aside, LSU ready to face Florida on the road

By David Moorman  |   Wednesday, October 08, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

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LSU didn’t lose a game, but it lost in the polls simply for having an open date last week. After its one-spot drop to third in The Associated Press Top 25, LSU travels to 11th-ranked Florida on Saturday.

Commentary: If coach Les Miles’ enthusiasm is infectious, the Tigers will be on an emotional high when they face the Gators. Miles repeated his claim that he loves playing on the road, which was evident from the manner in which LSU turned back Auburn earlier this season, 26-21.

It’s a good thing LSU has superior depth, because the Tigers will likely need it during their upcoming eight-game stretch without a break. After Florida, LSU must visit South Carolina. Still to come are home games with 10th-ranked Georgia and No. 2 Alabama.

Miles said he expects another physical test after both Auburn and Mississippi State did likewise before finally losing to the Tigers.

If Florida can’t slow junior running back Charles Scott, which no one has been able to do so far, the LSU offense figures to move the ball. Scott leads the Southeastern Conference with an average of 133.8 yards rushing per game. His presence, along with so many other playmakers, keeps defenses guessing.

LSU’s defense, on the other hand, has been susceptible to the pass. That’s a bad problem to have when getting ready to face one of the nation’s most dangerous quarterbacks in Tim Tebow. To compensate, Miles said LSU may take a more conservative defensive approach and utilize increased zone coverage.

Miles said he sees no weakness in Florida and that it took a spectacular effort from Ole Miss for the Rebels to upset the Gators, 31-30, last weekend.

Fan Pulse: If any place is as rowdy as Tiger Stadium, it’s the Swamp in Gainesville. As loud and crude as the LSU faithful can be, they will be drowned out by thousands of chomping Gator backers.

Injury Watch: Senior linebacker Darry Beckwith should start after missing two games with an injured knee, but junior defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois is a question mark after suffering a groin pull against Mississippi State. After suffering a concussion against Auburn three weeks ago, junior quarterback Andrew Hatch should see a little action at some point.
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About David Moorman

Dave Moormann is an award-winning journalist, who has covered LSU athletics since 1980. He began his coverage with the Baton Rouge Advocate, where he was a writer and editor from 1980-98. In 1996, he authored a book on the history of LSU football entitled, "Fighting Tigers Handbook: Stories, Stats...
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