- Sep 29, 2006
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Florida at LSU
Insider
By Scouts Inc
Florida offense versus LSU defense
? Assuming QB Tim Tebow is cleared to play, protecting him will be the Gators' highest priority this weekend. The good news for the Gators is that LSU's pass rush has been a major disappointment this season. The Tigers rank 101st nationally in sacks per game and failed to get to Georgia QB Joe Cox once this past Saturday. LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis has not dialed up many blitzes this season, and it's unlikely he'll turn up the heat against Florida's spread offense. As we saw in the Gators' win over Tennessee, the blueprint to slow down the Gators' attack is to drop seven or eight defenders and constantly show Tebow different varieties of zone coverage. Assuming Chavis follows this blueprint, Tebow should have plenty of time to throw, but he needs a clear head to decipher the defensive coverage and make intelligent decisions as a passer.
? The Gators like to run a lot of inside zone-option plays with Tebow in the shotgun and a running back -- typically Jeffery Demps or Chris Rainey -- adjacent to him. Tebow will read the defensive end or outside linebacker (depending on the defensive alignment) and makes a decision to hand off inside or keep it himself and run wide. Typically, if the read isn't perfectly clear, the tie goes to Tebow, but that should change Saturday night because of Tebow's health. Demps is one of the fastest players in the nation, and Rainey isn't far behind him, but neither is more than 185 pounds, while LSU's defensive front is big and physically imposing. The Tigers' starting defensive tackles -- Charles Alexander and Al Woods -- weigh a combined 609 pounds, and in-space linebackers MLB Jacob Cutrera and WLB Perry Riley each check in at 235-plus pounds. If LSU is to pull off the upset, its defensive front must do an excellent job of clogging holes, while the back seven needs to turn in its best tackling performance.
? LSU's secondary has had trouble defending the jump ball this season. Georgia WR A.J. Green's reaching over and plucking the ball from the hands of LSU CB Chris Hawkins for a fourth-quarter score is a prime example. The unit also has been burned for gambling on some interceptions, such as S Karnell Hatcher's whiff on the 50-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter versus Mississippi State. The Gators certainly have the personnel to exploit these weaknesses. WR Riley Cooper (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) and TE Aaron Hernandez (6-2, 250 pounds) do an excellent job of using their long frames to shield defenders on the jump ball. WR David Nelson (6-5, 212 pounds) has only seven catches on the season but has the frame to exploit this weakness as well. In addition, WRs Deonte Thompson and Brandon James are the type of speedsters who will make the Tigers pay if they get overaggressive when the ball is in the air.
Key individual matchup
LSU RBs Charles Scott and Keiland Williams
vs.
Florida MLB Brandon Spikes
This is a between-the-tackles matchup that reeks of old-school football. Like it or not, Miles wants to use heavy Jumbo packages and a power run game to impose LSU's will on the Gators. Granted, the offense is far more complex, but there are times when it clearly goes into "throwback" mode. Miles has the horses at running back with Scott (6-0, 234 pounds) and Williams (6-0, 221 pounds) to execute such a strategy, but his offensive line has been a disappointment thus far. Unless this unit does an about-face Saturday, look for Spikes to clean up versus the inside run. Spikes is not a great athlete, but there isn't a linebacker in the country with better instincts. He has become a more physical and emotional defender the past two seasons, so we expect Spikes to thrive when Scott and Williams are handed the football.
LSU offense versus Florida defense
? Red zone scoring has been a problem area for the Tigers this season, and it nearly cost them Saturday versus Georgia, when they mustered just three points in three trips. Of 18 trips to the red zone this season, LSU has scored eight touchdowns (four run, four pass), kicked six field goals and come up empty on four occasions. QB Jordan Jefferson seems to rush things in the confined area. He has failed to see open receivers at times and has overthrown open receivers at other times. Second, LSU's interior offensive line is not overpowering enough to line up and run up the gut. Finally, the Tigers need more variety when they bring freshman QB Russell Shepard into the game. Right now, the extent of the package appears to be the shotgun read-option run. Although Shepard is an electrifying athlete, LSU is clearly hesitant to let him throw the ball -- and opponents have caught on. Allowing Shepard to fake the option, step back and throw is a risk that Miles might be wise to take versus the Gators.
? LSU's offensive line is improving but still struggles with its communication at times. Mississippi State successfully pressured Jefferson by using a lot of delayed and zone blitzes. The Tigers seem to handle the initial rush well, but they do not communicate effectively on the fly. Florida should be successful using a similar blueprint Saturday night. Keep a close eye on ILB Brandon Spikes and SLB A.J. Jones. Spikes is turned loose on the blitz a handful of times per game, and Gators defensive coordinator Charlie Strong sends him from several different launching points, including off the edge at times. Jones, who spends a majority of his time one-on-one with the tight end, is sent after the quarterback even more frequently, and he already has one sack and one quarterback hurry this season.
? The Gators' secondary is loaded with speed and athleticism, and don't be surprised if five members of this group end up in the NFL. Joe Haden and Janoris Jenkins are fluid playmakers at cornerback, while Major Wright, Will Hill and Ahmad Black bring versatility and ball skills to the safety positions. Despite all that talent, the Tigers cannot be shy about taking chances in the vertical passing game. Brandon LaFell and Terrance Toliver make up arguably the most physically gifted receiver tandem in college football today. LaFell is an excellent route runner with the speed and elusiveness to deliver the big play after the catch or on a deep route. Toliver is not as polished, but he is a silky-smooth strider who is capable of gaining position on Jenkins or Haden, then climbing the ladder to bring down the jump ball on a nine, fade, post or post-corner route. Jefferson has been late delivering the deep ball at times, so it is imperative that LSU offensive coordinator Gary Crowton stresses his timing as a passer this week in practice.
Scouts' Edge
If regular home-field advantage is worth a field goal in college football, a night game in Baton Rouge is worth at least a touchdown for LSU. Look for Chavis' defense to build off the momentum of last week's strong showing at Georgia and play an emotionally charged four quarters in front of the home crowd. Florida's noticeable speed and depth advantages will eventually kick in, though. Tebow might struggle to shake the cobwebs early on, but he will rise to the challenge eventually. Meanwhile, look for Spikes and the Gators' defense to prey on a young quarterback (Jefferson) and a subpar offensive line by LSU's standards.
Prediction: Gators 31, Tigers 21
Insider
By Scouts Inc
Florida offense versus LSU defense
? Assuming QB Tim Tebow is cleared to play, protecting him will be the Gators' highest priority this weekend. The good news for the Gators is that LSU's pass rush has been a major disappointment this season. The Tigers rank 101st nationally in sacks per game and failed to get to Georgia QB Joe Cox once this past Saturday. LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis has not dialed up many blitzes this season, and it's unlikely he'll turn up the heat against Florida's spread offense. As we saw in the Gators' win over Tennessee, the blueprint to slow down the Gators' attack is to drop seven or eight defenders and constantly show Tebow different varieties of zone coverage. Assuming Chavis follows this blueprint, Tebow should have plenty of time to throw, but he needs a clear head to decipher the defensive coverage and make intelligent decisions as a passer.
? The Gators like to run a lot of inside zone-option plays with Tebow in the shotgun and a running back -- typically Jeffery Demps or Chris Rainey -- adjacent to him. Tebow will read the defensive end or outside linebacker (depending on the defensive alignment) and makes a decision to hand off inside or keep it himself and run wide. Typically, if the read isn't perfectly clear, the tie goes to Tebow, but that should change Saturday night because of Tebow's health. Demps is one of the fastest players in the nation, and Rainey isn't far behind him, but neither is more than 185 pounds, while LSU's defensive front is big and physically imposing. The Tigers' starting defensive tackles -- Charles Alexander and Al Woods -- weigh a combined 609 pounds, and in-space linebackers MLB Jacob Cutrera and WLB Perry Riley each check in at 235-plus pounds. If LSU is to pull off the upset, its defensive front must do an excellent job of clogging holes, while the back seven needs to turn in its best tackling performance.
? LSU's secondary has had trouble defending the jump ball this season. Georgia WR A.J. Green's reaching over and plucking the ball from the hands of LSU CB Chris Hawkins for a fourth-quarter score is a prime example. The unit also has been burned for gambling on some interceptions, such as S Karnell Hatcher's whiff on the 50-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter versus Mississippi State. The Gators certainly have the personnel to exploit these weaknesses. WR Riley Cooper (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) and TE Aaron Hernandez (6-2, 250 pounds) do an excellent job of using their long frames to shield defenders on the jump ball. WR David Nelson (6-5, 212 pounds) has only seven catches on the season but has the frame to exploit this weakness as well. In addition, WRs Deonte Thompson and Brandon James are the type of speedsters who will make the Tigers pay if they get overaggressive when the ball is in the air.
Key individual matchup
LSU RBs Charles Scott and Keiland Williams
vs.
Florida MLB Brandon Spikes
This is a between-the-tackles matchup that reeks of old-school football. Like it or not, Miles wants to use heavy Jumbo packages and a power run game to impose LSU's will on the Gators. Granted, the offense is far more complex, but there are times when it clearly goes into "throwback" mode. Miles has the horses at running back with Scott (6-0, 234 pounds) and Williams (6-0, 221 pounds) to execute such a strategy, but his offensive line has been a disappointment thus far. Unless this unit does an about-face Saturday, look for Spikes to clean up versus the inside run. Spikes is not a great athlete, but there isn't a linebacker in the country with better instincts. He has become a more physical and emotional defender the past two seasons, so we expect Spikes to thrive when Scott and Williams are handed the football.
LSU offense versus Florida defense
? Red zone scoring has been a problem area for the Tigers this season, and it nearly cost them Saturday versus Georgia, when they mustered just three points in three trips. Of 18 trips to the red zone this season, LSU has scored eight touchdowns (four run, four pass), kicked six field goals and come up empty on four occasions. QB Jordan Jefferson seems to rush things in the confined area. He has failed to see open receivers at times and has overthrown open receivers at other times. Second, LSU's interior offensive line is not overpowering enough to line up and run up the gut. Finally, the Tigers need more variety when they bring freshman QB Russell Shepard into the game. Right now, the extent of the package appears to be the shotgun read-option run. Although Shepard is an electrifying athlete, LSU is clearly hesitant to let him throw the ball -- and opponents have caught on. Allowing Shepard to fake the option, step back and throw is a risk that Miles might be wise to take versus the Gators.
? LSU's offensive line is improving but still struggles with its communication at times. Mississippi State successfully pressured Jefferson by using a lot of delayed and zone blitzes. The Tigers seem to handle the initial rush well, but they do not communicate effectively on the fly. Florida should be successful using a similar blueprint Saturday night. Keep a close eye on ILB Brandon Spikes and SLB A.J. Jones. Spikes is turned loose on the blitz a handful of times per game, and Gators defensive coordinator Charlie Strong sends him from several different launching points, including off the edge at times. Jones, who spends a majority of his time one-on-one with the tight end, is sent after the quarterback even more frequently, and he already has one sack and one quarterback hurry this season.
? The Gators' secondary is loaded with speed and athleticism, and don't be surprised if five members of this group end up in the NFL. Joe Haden and Janoris Jenkins are fluid playmakers at cornerback, while Major Wright, Will Hill and Ahmad Black bring versatility and ball skills to the safety positions. Despite all that talent, the Tigers cannot be shy about taking chances in the vertical passing game. Brandon LaFell and Terrance Toliver make up arguably the most physically gifted receiver tandem in college football today. LaFell is an excellent route runner with the speed and elusiveness to deliver the big play after the catch or on a deep route. Toliver is not as polished, but he is a silky-smooth strider who is capable of gaining position on Jenkins or Haden, then climbing the ladder to bring down the jump ball on a nine, fade, post or post-corner route. Jefferson has been late delivering the deep ball at times, so it is imperative that LSU offensive coordinator Gary Crowton stresses his timing as a passer this week in practice.
Scouts' Edge
If regular home-field advantage is worth a field goal in college football, a night game in Baton Rouge is worth at least a touchdown for LSU. Look for Chavis' defense to build off the momentum of last week's strong showing at Georgia and play an emotionally charged four quarters in front of the home crowd. Florida's noticeable speed and depth advantages will eventually kick in, though. Tebow might struggle to shake the cobwebs early on, but he will rise to the challenge eventually. Meanwhile, look for Spikes and the Gators' defense to prey on a young quarterback (Jefferson) and a subpar offensive line by LSU's standards.
Prediction: Gators 31, Tigers 21
