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Joel Klatt predicts LSU to win, cover against Florida

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh3 hours agogriffin_mcveigh
Florida-Gators-LSU-Garrett-Nussmeier
LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) fumbles the ball into the hands of LSU Tigers offensive lineman Emery Jones Jr. (50) was after being sacked by Florida Gators defensive ends George Gumbs Jr. (34) and T.J. Searcy (19) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. (Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Some sting may have been taken out of Saturday’s LSU–Florida game due to a Week 2 loss by the Gators. However, in one of the SEC’s more underrated rivalries, Baton Rouge is still going to be ready. It’s a game where both programs need a win for different reasons.

Predictions continue to roll in, with FOX’s Joel Klatt being the latest. Klatt is going with LSU to hold home field and take down Florida by double digits. He cites the improved defense Brian Kelly built through Blake Baker, trusting them a lot more than the UF offense.

“LSU is the better football team,” Klatt said. “Their defense is now a defense that I can trust and believe in. Florida is not an offense that I can trust and believe in… LSU covers the 7.5, wins this one 31-21. And I think that we continue to talk about LSU as a top-three team and one of the teams that could contend for the national championship.”

We already saw LSU go up against an offense plenty of people had high expectations for in Week 1. Clemson came into the opener with Cade Klubnik and a lethal wide receiver group. They walked out with under 300 total yards and only 31 on the ground. LSU held them at bay for all four quarters, something nobody would have thought in recent years.

“Showing that completeness, they showed Week 1 that, let’s be frank, not many teams have been able to show during the course of this year,” Klatt said.

Klatt sees similar results playing out against Florida. DJ Lagway garnered a ton of attention during the preseason. Even through an injury, Lagway’s name showed up in Heisman Trophy discussions and among the elite within the SEC.

From a Florida perspective, head coach Billy Napier‘s hot seat would only get warmer. Losing to USF completely threw a wrench in the season plans, bringing back a ton of doubters. Beating LSU may, once again, change the tune in favor of Napier. However, Klatt is picking the Gators to have a tough night.

Kickoff from Baton Rouge is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. It’s tough to find a college football venue better than Tiger Stadium during a night game. Having Florida in town only adds to the spectacle. And if LSU can pull off the result Klatt is predicting them to, a fun night inside Tiger Town would ensue.