Florida Gators Football: 10 Things We Learned from Win vs. LSU Tigers

This was a statement game. 

Florida was facing its biggest test of the season, and we were going to find out if the Gators were contenders or pretenders. 

Florida started slow but once again were able to go into the locker room at halftime and come out a different team. Florida ran the ball down the Tigers throats in the second half and wore out the LSU defense. 

At 5-0 (4-0) the Gators are serious pursuers of an SEC title, and you will also start hearing rumblings about Florida being national champion contenders. 

Before we get ahead of ourselves, let's take a look at what we learned in the Gators 14-6 win over LSU. 

10. Kyle Christy Saved the Gators in the First Half

The Gators struggled to get anything going on offense in the first half. 

After getting a turnover deep inside LSU territory people joked on Twitter that Florida should kick a field goal on first down. Maybe they should have. The Gators lost yards on all three plays and were pushed out of Caleb Sturgis' range. 

Kyle Christy was the best offense Florida had the entire first quarter. 

For the game Christy averaged 49.1 yards on seven punts, with a long of 61 yards. Three of his punts were downed inside the 20, as Christy was able to keep LSU backed up for most of the game.

His punting was a big reason Florida was only down six at halftime. 

9. The Defense Is Starting to Play Complete Games

While Christy's punting was significant, the real game ball needs to go to the defense. 

Florida's defense was able to completely shut down the LSU running game, which came into the contest as the SEC's second-best rushing attack (229.6 yards per game)

But Florida held LSU to 42 yards on 25 attempts.

LSU managed only one first down until late in the third quarter and finished with just eight on the day. 

Florida continued to create turnovers, something they struggled to do last season. Jaylen Watkins got his second interception of the season, and the defense recovered two fumbles. 

Florida's defense kept the Tigers out of the end zone all game and held them scoreless after half. 

The defense that we thought would be one of the best in the country before the season began is starting to play good football for four quarters. 

8. The Gators Continue to Make Halftime Adjustments

Three times this season the Gators have gone into the locker room trailing at halftime to an SEC opponent. All three times they have come out at the start of the second half and played like an entirely different team. 

Whatever the coaching staff is saying and changing at halftime is working. 

7. Mike Gillislee Is a Work Horse

Mike Gillislee put the offense on his back and carried them to a win today. 

The junior running back carried the ball 34 times for 146 yards and two touchdowns. 

What is more impressive than the number of times he carried the ball—or even how many yards he was able to amass—was that Gillislee didn't have a single carry go for negative yards. 

As long as he is healthy, Gillislee will be the motor that keeps the Gators offense moving. 

6. Jeff Driskel Is Still Learning

For as far as we have watched him progress this season, we have to remember that Jeff Driskel is still a sophomore in his first year as a starter. 

I wouldn't go so far to call his game against LSU a big step back, but he definitely didn't impress in the win. 

Driskel was hesitant in the first half and took too many sacks because of his indecisiveness. In the second half Driskel attempted just four passes but was able to make some plays with his feet. 

This game should teach Driskel about the kind of athletes he will face in the SEC. He will not be able to run away from every defender; sometimes taking a sack is better than trying to fight for more yards and risk turning the ball over. 

5. The Offensive Line Is Capable

The Gators offensive line took a big step forward today. 

In the first half, Florida's tackles struggled to contain LSU's edge-rushers. Something changed at halftime and the offensive line came out and played their most physical stretch of the season. 

The offensive line kept pushing LSU's defensive line back, eventually wearing the Tigers down. There was even a play where offensive lineman Jonotthan Harrison carried Mike Gillislee two yards for a big first down. 

I was very impressed with the strides that the offensive line made this week. 

4. Florida Needs to Develop a Downfield Passing Attack

Florida's defense showed today how a one-dimensional offense can be exploited.

All season long, LSU has been hiding QB Zach Mettenberger behind its running game. When Florida took the running game away, LSU didn't have an answer. 

To be a true contender, Florida needs to have a backup plan if someone is able to shut down its running game. 

Jeff Driskel has shown accuracy on short and deep passes this year. Florida needs to open up the playbook and stretch the field.

3. The Defense Continues to Finish Strong

Florida's defense has yet to allow a score in the fourth quarter this season. 

That is a far cry from last season's team, which would wear down late in games.

The difference between the 2011 defense and this year's is depth. The Gators now have enough depth on defense to rotate defensive linemen and linebackers to stay fresh for the entire game. 

The defense is getting better every game and will end the season as one of the best units in the country. 

2. Matt Elam Is One of the Best Safeties in the Country

Matt Elam played like a man who was possessed today. 

Elam was flying around the field tackling Tigers, forcing fumbles—even tackling his own teammates. 

Elam's biggest play came on a 56-yard completion to Odell Beckham. Marcus Roberson blew his coverage and Elam had to pick up Beckham because of it. Elam was able to rip the ball out of Beckham's arms while bringing him down, turning what would have been a huge momentum swing for LSU into a big play for the Gators. 

Elam is putting together a fine season, and he is also starting to take on the role of an emotional leader.

1. Florida Is Back

Mike Gillislee said it and Bleacher Report's own, Barrett Sallee wrote it. 

Florida is back. 

At 5-0 (4-0) the Gators have positioned themselves well not only in the SEC but also in the national rankings. Florida is in the driver's seat in the SEC, and the way the Gators are playing, they can hang with any team in the country. 

After two seasons of struggles the Gators are back. 

Enjoy it Gator Nation.