Is LSU Merely Another Speed Bump for the Florida Scoring Machine?

Head long into the media hype, LSU and Florida will meet in Death Valley this Saturday with both teams expecting a win.

Florida—the media darlings from preseason on with Urban Meyer, Tim Tebow and Co., have been dishing up pain and discontent throughout their schedule with minimal delays and surprise.

Unless you factor in the "Man of Steel" getting knocked out last week as being a delay?

The Gators function at a very high level of skill and ability, and resemble a Borg-like race of a super trained collective—ready to assimilate all who oppose them.

LSU on the other hand, has shown a more vulnerable "human" side in their quest for victories thus far this season.

Through four games, the Wild Tiger has been more like the Coughing Kitten—with the offense looking as though they’re trying to dislodge a ginormous hairball—especially when they get within 20 yards of an end zone.

All in all, it’s not the end of the world kind of a dilemma, but witnessing such showings thus far, lends oneself to succumbing to the same gag and dry-heaving reflex—with hopes of it soon going away.

If the Tigers are going to hand the Florida Gators their first loss of the season, they will need to hack up that hair ball when the Gator’s defense looks to show whose got better game.

Urban Meyer knows that if LSU plays out of their funk, winning in Tiger Stadium at night, is not an easy thing to do.

Tiger fans are notorious for making Tiger Stadium at night, one of the most unpleasant venues to play in.

You know you’re going to a tough place to play when the athletic director sends out a public address to encourage fans to be on their best behavior this weekend. Which for some rebel minded fans was an invitation to ‘kick-it-up a notch’ in full bore rowdiness?

It’s been reported that Meyer has commented on the best way of taking the crowd out early, which is by “jumping on them early.” Much like the way they did last year in the Swamp.

There’s one man that’s looking to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself in that regard—and that one man has most likely not slept much this week in concocting the perfect game plan against the Borg.

Tiger Nation is hoping that "Chief" Chavis will dial up the right scheme as he has done in the past with Tennessee, to slow down the Gators. Coach Chavis’ defenses have been good against Florida, but not good enough to win.

That part of history, Chavis is looking to change.

As much as LSU needs to do well offensively, it’s the Tigers' defense that will give them a better chance to leave with a victory. A low scoring game will be in LSU’s favor.

Another thing to consider is the fact that LSU is playing back-to-back high profile games.

The big win in Athens last Saturday has certainly put some swagger back in the Tiger’s walk… but will they be emotionally spent from last week?

There are those who question coach Les Miles in his Xs and Os… but no one can question his enthusiasm for the big game. He thrives in big games. Much of LSU’s identity comes from that fact.

LSU always seems to play at a higher level in big games.

The respect factor will also weigh-in on this game as well for the Tigers.

Although being ranked No. 4 in the country, there’s many experts who do not consider LSU the fourth best team in the country so far. And no one blames them—the Tigers don’t look air tight in all phases yet.

That may bode well for LSU.

Very little respect nationally can always go far in the battle of the trenches for an underdog team. LSU is no exception.

They seem to always carry a grudge pretty well… and a large grudge it should be.

That could be the biggest factor to decide the winner on Saturday night.

Ranked No .4 in the country with very little national impressive stats, very little impressive wins, a semi-average defense, a stagnate offense, and over-rated from top to bottom. And to add insult to injury… LSU is being given only a punchers chance to win with or without Tebow in the lineup.

Sounds like a recipe for an upset?

Can the Cardiac Cats do it two weeks in a row?

These Tigers are primed and poised to not just be another speed bump on the way to a perfect season for Florida—but to be the brick wall that stops the Gator Bus—in a classic battle on the bayou.

“Ladies and Gentleman… It’s Saturday Night—in Death Valley!”