Florida vs. LSU: Game Grades, Analysis for the Tigers

Perhaps Derrius Guice's dive over the pile that fell inches short of the goal line in LSU's 16-10 loss to Florida was the perfect embodiment of the Tigers' season. 

With Leonard Fournette sitting on the sidelines with an injury, Guice, the backup running back, used all of his effort on a play that appeared broken and still got close to keeping LSU's hopes of a Sugar Bowl berth alive. 

Instead, the Tigers must now gear up for a Thanksgiving matchup against Texas A&M with most of their dreams of what this season could have been dashed. 

With that, let's check out the game grades from LSU on Saturday.

Red-Zone Offense

Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

Grade: D

The only reason this grade isn't a failing one is because the Tigers did actually get six points on two field goals out of five trips to the red zone. 

Still, six points with five trips inside the 20 is putrid. It's what cost the Tigers the game against the Gators. 

LSU's offensive line couldn't get enough push to give its backs the space they needed to grind out yards, nor could it protect Danny Etling to preserve field position. 

It ultimately came down to two plays from the one-yard line that could've won the game for the Tigers, who couldn't punch it in to end the game. 

LSU's Defense

Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

Grade: A-

The narrative for this group hasn't changed all year. 

The Tigers' defense did enough to win a game on Saturday. The offense just couldn't pick them up.

LSU gave up just 270 yards and 13 first downs to the Gators. While LSU didn't force any takeaways, it essentially only gave up one big play on the 98-yard touchdown pass. 

Whoever gets the full-time coaching gig in Death Valley has to ensure this unit's prowess is preserved. 

Special Teams

Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

Grade: D+

First, it was the botched snap on a chip-shot field goal that killed one red-zone possession. 

Then it was the fumbled kickoff by Donte Jackson that allowed Florida to turn a field goal lead late into a touchdown lead. 

Yes, Colby Delahoussaye connected on the two field goals he had clear shots at. Yes, the punting game often pinned Florida deep. 

But those two gaffs came in high-leverage situations that can easily point to six points on the board in favor of Florida, which won by six.

Ed Orgeron's Chances at the Full-Time Job

Max Becherer/Associated Press

Grade: F

Barring anything unforeseen taking place, Ed Orgeron lost his chance to be the full-time head coach in Baton Rouge with the loss to Florida. 

The Tigers were favored at home against a lower-ranked team. A win would've kept LSU on track for a Sugar Bowl bid should they have gone on to beat Texas A&M on Thanksgiving. 

Instead, the Tigers will have to win out just to get to eight wins, and Orgeron will have at least two losses on a short resume.

Orgeron is a valuable member of any coaching staff—personally, I implore whoever is hired to try to retain Coach O as an assistant—but there simply is not enough of a case to be made anymore for him to retain the gig in the long term.