Florida Gators vs. LSU Tigers: Matchups That Will Determine Outcome of SEC Clash

When the No. 17 Florida Gators travel to Death Valley to take on the No. 10 LSU Tigers Saturday, revenge will most likely be on the minds of the Bayou Bengals after the Gators pulled the upset last year in Gainesville, Fla.

Need a refresher? Here's one courtesy of the SEC Digital Network—cover your eyes, Tigers fans:

There will be several factors that determine the outcome of the game at 3:30 p.m. on CBS, but the most prevalent matchup is between the LSU offense and Florida defense.

LSU QB Zach Mettenberger vs. Florida's secondary

In his first season after coming over from the Baltimore Ravens, new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron has turned Mettenberger into a Heisman hopeful for the Gators. Mettenberger has done more than just generate buzz this season, completing 107 of 157 passes for 1,738 yards and 15 touchdowns to just two interceptions.

Mettenberger will be tested on Saturday when he faces off with a stout Florida secondary that features cornerback Marcus Roberson. The junior defensive back hasn't played since injuring his knee on Sept. 7, but he is making his return at the right time.

Regardless of the situation, Mettenberger has played well under pressure this season as ESPN points out in their QBR ranking system:

Mettenberger appears to have the upper hand with key receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, but the addition of Roberson to an already potent secondary of Loucheiz Purifoy and Vernon Hargreaves III could spell trouble for the LSU senior.

Florida WR Solomon Patton vs. LSU's secondary

Solomon Patton has been the go-to receiver for the Gators this season, hauling in 19 receptions for 348 yards and four touchdowns.

The LSU secondary is one of the most inexperienced groups for the Tigers this year with sophomore Jalen Mills and freshman Tre’Davious White manning the corner positions. This seems like a match made in heaven for Gators quarterback Tyler Murphy.

Mark Long of the Associated Press points out that Patton seems to be pretty excited about the chance to go against LSU's secondary:

LSU RB Jeremy Hill vs. Florida's front seven

Last year's game was decided by two rushing touchdowns from Florida's Mike Gillislee, and this game might be decided by a running back from the opposite side this season.

Jeremy Hill has been the other half of a balanced attack for the LSU offense this season, toting the ball 79 times for 593 yards and nine touchdowns. The sophomore sat out of the season opener, but has stormed out of the gate with three 100-yard rushing performances and two 150-yard performances against SEC opponents.

On the other side stands a Florida front seven ranked second in the country in rushing yards allowed with 65 per game. As Jesse Simonton of the Miami Herald points out in his recent article, the Gators have held 12 consecutive conference opponents to 20 points or less, with Alabama holding the next longest streak at one game.

The Florida front seven has proven it can stand up to SEC offenses in a year where it seems the conferences defenses have fallen off, but it will have a tough task on Saturday against Hill and Mettenberger.