Tigers hope to postpone Gators’ celebration
On the brink of capturing its second straight SEC East crown, Florida couldn’t be in a much better spot entering Saturday’s bout vs. LSU. That is, until you consider the Gators’ personnel predicament.
Jim McElwain’s team must do without at least seven starters this weekend. Understandably, then, online sports book BetDSI opened the host Tigers as 14-point favorites over UF. The over/under is set at 37.
Not only does McElwain find himself scrambling to fill holes all over the offensive line, Florida’s heralded run defense may have significant trouble in Baton Rouge. The squad’s three leading tacklers – linebackers Alex Anzalone and Jarrad Davis and safety Marcus Maye – will watch from the sideline. Naturally, that’s music to the ears of LSU’s esteemed backfield tandem of Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice.
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If the Gators truly hope to salt away the division, Alex Appelby needs a Grade A performance. Of course, it’s not as though Tigers interim coach Ed Orgeron expects his signal-caller to set the world on fire. Danny Etling has been barely adequate as the replacement for the erratic Brandon Harris. Rather, this contest should boil down to UF’s ability to stop LSU from striking rich in the ground game. With Guice and Fournette playing starring roles, however, the Gainesville faithful aren’t exactly in chest-thumping mode.
SATURDAY NCAA FREE PICK: FLORIDA/LSU OVER 37 POINTS