The ESPN College GameDay Picks: LSU vs. Florida

On the College Gameday set, LSU and Florida was the second to last game the crew picked, but it was one of the only unanimous picks they made on Saturday morning. All four analysts and guest picker Candace Parker picked LSU to win.

Here’s what each one of them said about the matchup.

Desmond Howard: “I know it’s week three but the most impressive team I’ve seen this year is LSU.”

Nick Saban: “LSU has been one of the most impressive teams I’ve seen, so I think LSU takes it.”

Pat McAfee: “They say LSU’s fans are the loudest and most rowdy, so I’ll take LSU to beat the hell out of Florida. Brian Kelly is doing a heck of a job down there.”

Candace Parker: “I got LSU. LSU looks great. I think Florida’s tough schedule catches up to them.”

Kirk Hirbstreet: “Mansoor Delane has made a huge difference in unlocking this defense. I’m with Des, they’ve been the most impressive team.”

LSU vs. Florida preview

A matchup that always seems to deliver. For the 72nd time, No. 3 LSU (2-0) and Florida (1-1) will meet in primetime on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium.

Kickoff is set for 6:44 p.m. CT on ABC and the LSU Sports Radio Network. ESPN’s Sean McDonough, Greg McElroy and Molly McGrath will be on the television broadcast, while Chris Blair, Jacob Hester and Gordy Rush will be on the radio call.

Last week, Blake Baker and the LSU defense put together another elite performance, holding Louisiana Tech to just 154 yards of total offense, where the Bulldogs averaged just 2.9 yards per play. Senior linebacker West Weeks led the unit in tackles with eight, while edge rusher Jack Pyburn recorded five tackles with a half sack.

“It starts at the back end,” said head coach Brian Kelly on where he’s noticed defensive improvements. “Coverability. Tackling. That stands out right away. Our front seven plays well together, it’s well-synched. Having a second gear and being comfortable with Blake’s scheme.”

Offensively, senior receiver Barion Brown flashed with eight receptions for 94 yards, averaging 11.8 yards per catch. It was an offensive showing that, Coach Kelly says, was below the team’s standard, but Brown was definitely key to the Tigers’ 23-7 victory.

“He got the game ball,” Kelly said. “He balled out. That’s Barion Brown and that’s what we expected from him.”

Saturday will also serve as a celebration of a former Tiger legend. Charles Alexander, the first 4,000-yard rusher in SEC history and a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist, will have his jersey retired at halftime, becoming the fourth LSU Football Player to have their number memorialized in the south end zone. He joins Billy Cannon, Tommy Casanova and Jerry Stovall.

Affectionately known by LSU fans as “Alexander the Great”, Alexander has been enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame (2012) along with LSU Sports Hall of Fame (1989) and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame (1993). He’s also a member of LSU football’s Team of the Century.

Florida is led by quarterback DJ Lagway, who has thrown for 342 yards and four touchdowns through two weeks of play. On the ground, Jadan Baugh has recorded 197 yards on 27 carries and a score, while Ja’Kobi Jackson has posted 46 yards on 13 carries against Long Island and South Florida. At receiver, Vernell Brown III leads the team with 135 yards on eight catches, while tight end Hayden Hansen has 67 yards and a touchdown on six catches. Eugene Wilson III also has tallied 56 yards and two scores on 12 receptions.

Defensively, linebackers Jaden Robinson and Myles Graham lead the unit in tackles with 13 each. Lineman Brendan Bett has totaled eight tackles, while defensive back Bryce Thornton has totaled six.

“It starts with their quarterback,” Kelly said. “Arm talent is off the charts. But he’s got guys around him. Jadan Baugh is really difficult to defend. He’s physical and got great instincts. And now you complement him with Vernell Brown, who is an electric receiver. From a defensive standpoint, Coach (Ron) Roberts does a really good job with simulating pressures and mixing things up to make it really difficult.”

The all-time series between the two programs is deadlocked at 34-34-3. In the most recent meeting, UF defeated LSU at The Swamp, beating the Tigers 27-16 by way of a 17-6 advantage in the second half.

The game against Florida is sold out with tickets only available on the secondary market. It’s an atmosphere that, Coach Kelly says, needs to be vintage Tiger Stadium as conference play kicks off. It will also be the Gold Game and fans are encouraged to Wear GOLD.

“We need to be Death Valley,” Kelly said Monday. “We need to live up to our resume as the toughest place to play in the country. It’s SEC time. You had your warm up. Now, let’s geaux get it.”

*LSU press release