10* College Game of the Month
(NCAAF) Florida vs. LSU, 10/12/2013 11:30 AM, Score: 6 - 17
Point Spread: 8.00 | -110.00 Florida (Away)
Result: Loss
This game will be a match-up of strength versus strength with Florida's stout defense facing LSU's explosive offense. The Gators got the best of the Tigers last season in their 14-6 win, and while we don't expect that same type of low-scoring grinder, we do expect this game to go right down to the wire My best play on Saturday is on the Florida Gators, who stroll into Death Valley with the SEC's top defense that has manhandled opposing offenses through five games with the second-best stop unit in the nation. The Gators have been in straight shut-down mode, allowing a meager 217 yards per game. Florida has been a completely different team since inserting Tyler Murphy in as their starting quarterback. He led them to a comeback win over Tennessee by a final of 31-17 after replacing the injured Jeff Driskel on September 21. Since then, he led the Gators to a 24-7 victory at Kentucky as an 11-point favorite, and a 30-10 home victory over Arkansas as a 12.5-point favorite. Murphy is making plays and not turning the ball over like Driskel did. Murphy is completing 72.2 percent of his passes for 530 yards and five touchdowns against one interception, while also rushing for 135 yards and two scores. I don't trust LSU's defense to be quite honest. Prior to the second half of last week's 45-26 victory over Mississippi State, the Tigers were torched by Georgia's offense for four quarters and then Mississippi State in the first half last week. In three SEC contests this season, already, the Tigers have allowed an average of 30 points. That's not going to cut it when you're taking on a defense like Florida's. I'll play the road underdog here with the +8 points on Saturday afternoon.