Florida-LSU: Why Deja Vu Will Not Happen This Weekend

Last year, Les Miles made a call that possibly set the tone for the remainder of the season for the LSU Tigers.

The Bayou Bengals destroyed Florida's hopes of repeating as National Champions and took their place in the BCS Championship Game against Ohio State.

Even though the game hasn't happened yet, both teams know that there is a lot riding on the outcome of this game.

And Florida knows that its all or nothing come Saturday afternoon.

You Can Talk The Talk...But Can You Walk The Walk?

In a published interview, Ricky Jean-Francois made it clear the intentions of the Tiger Defense: To Decapitate Tim Tebow to the Point of Dismissal from Saturday's Game.

The Tigers defense is good, no question about that. But even they are flawed as much as the rest of the country. It was the offense that helped LSU survive their matchup against Auburn. Can their defense step up and do it again without the Death Valley faithful around to cheer them on?

Speaking of defense, the Gators philosophy this season has proven to be worthy of praise, as they have held opponents to 10 points or less in three of their four games.

Even though the team suffered a heartbreaker in their last home game against Ole Miss, it was their performance last week that made them realize that they can stop the not-so-powerful offense of LSU.

If the Gators play like they did last week against Arkansas, expect LSU to have serious troubles coming to them tomorrow.

Out With The Old...In With The New

Last year, it was Matt Flynn who shattered the hopes of the Florida Gators in Tim Tebow's full-game debut against the Bayou Bengals. Now Flynn is trying to earn his dues in Green Bay.

It was Chris Leak who led the "G" Men to the National Title two years ago, but it was Tim Tebow who hoisted up the Heisman last year for Florida. New year. New teammates. New rules. Same Equalizer.

Instead of Flynn, it will be Jarrett Lee handling the calls for LSU, while on the other side of the field, Tim Tebow will have to find a way to pick up where he left off against them last season.

The defense gave up 14 fourth-quarter points last season to allow LSU to beat the Gators 28-24 in Baton Rouge. But the Tigers D couldn't stop Tebow then, either, because he threw for two touchdowns and ran for another. Let's not forget that Emmanuel Moody is improving, and Percy Harvin will be playing this weekend.

Home Field Is Everything When Used Right

The Tigers used their fans last season to win the game. In fact, the winner of this game has played in the SEC Championship almost every season since the turn of the decade.

This is a showdown with BCS implications. If LSU beats Florida, it should be smooth sailing all the way to another BCS berth. But if Florida slays the dragon known as LSU, this puts Florida right back into the hunt for the National Title.

As many games as there are this weekend, only two have everyone's main attention: Florida-LSU and Texas-Oklahoma. The outcome of these two games will shake up the entire Top 10.

If Oklahoma and LSU survive, then it's no question that Florida and Texas will drop out of the fun...for the moment. There are still two other teams that will be eagerly waiting for the outcome of these games.

In the middle of this anarchy is Missouri and Alabama.

The Tide have quietly made their way into the spot that is usually occupied by either Florida or LSU. Mizzou knows that as long as Texas and Oklahoma hold the major spots of the Top 5, they won't get a legitimate shot at laying claim to the Big XII Championship.

Ole Miss, who already has one upset under their belts this season, looks to add another against a vicious Alabama team. As for Missouri, they get Oklahoma State in a battle of undefeateds.

So Who Gets the Big Wins This Weekend?

It would be safe to say that all of the Top 5 teams will survive this weekend, but A) That's not real genius, B) That's not going to happen and C) There will be at least one upset out of those Top 5 teams this weekend.

No. 5 Texas plays No. 1 Oklahoma in the Red River Classic, and the Horns have enough firepower to shock the Sooners again. Remember that kid they showed on TV that was crying in the closing minutes of the game a while back? He's supposedly going to be there for this one.

No. 2 Alabama looks dangerous on paper, but Ole Miss has proven already this year that they can hang with the best of the SEC.

Chase Daniel has something to prove after last year's flop against Oklahoma. Florida, in a way, opened the door for Mizzou to go to the BCS, but it will be up to Daniel to get past the Cowboys, who are a surprising 5-0 this season. And then there's LSU...

The Swamp is irate. After the shocker against Ole Miss, Florida is hungry. They want another National Championship. They don't want to lose to LSU.

This weekend, it's an open bar for revenge, and the main course is Sooner Bayou Tide Roast. Don't forget to serve that with a good helping of Commodore Potatoes, Tiger Lily for Dessert and washed down with Gatorale (or Gatorade for non-drinkers).

Don't worry, we won't make you pay for the meal. We'll just send the bill to Les Miles and LSU.

This weekend, the LSU Tigers are Gator Bait.

Final Score: Florida 31, LSU 21