Florida Gators @ LSU Tigers Odds and Predictions: CBS Saturday College Football Picks

Week 6 Free College Football Picks and Spreads: Florida Gators @ LSU Tigers 2011 NCAA Football Vegas Odds, Free Picks, and Expert Predictions on CBS Saturday 10/8/11: It seems like every week two highly ranked teams from the Southeastern Conference are getting together. This Saturday, the LSU Tigers (5-0) will put their top ranking on the line when the 17th-ranked Florida Gators (4-1) pay a visit to Death Valley. The Gators are fresh of an ugly loss to SEC rival Alabama last weekend, and life isn’t going to get any easier against LSU. The question for Florida now becomes whether or not the loss against the Crimson Tide will motivate or deflate the Gators for this matchup. While the chance to knock off the No.1 team in the nation tends to bring out the best in any team, the Gators find themselves 13 ½-point underdogs against a Tigers’ team that has already knocked of several ranked foes.

The Gators rolled into last weekend’s meeting with Alabama owning one of the best rush defenses and rushing offenses in the nation. However, the physically dominant Crimson Tide suffocated the Florida ground game and ran the ball through the teeth of the Gators’ defense. Unfortunately for Florida, the Tigers also bring a dominant defense to the table and are every bit as physical as the Crimson Tide. LSU and Alabama are mirror images of each other in many respects, and if last weekend’s game was any indication, the Gators could be in serious trouble Saturday.

To add injury to insult, the Gators will be without starting quarterback John Brantley, who was knocked out of last weekend’s game against Alabama. Freshman Jeff Driskell will start in his place, and it doesn’t get much tougher than making your first career start in an SEC road game against a top-five defense. The Gators couldn’t move the ball on the ground last weekend even with Brantley leading a capable passing game. The offense will likely be even more one dimensional with Driskell under center, which could lead to another long afternoon for Chris Rainey and the Florida ground game.

For the Tigers, establishing their ground game will be their primary focus on offense. The Crimson Tide exposed what had been a previously stout Gators’ front seven. LSU may not have a dominant lead back like Alabama, but the Tigers do have plenty of depth and a physical offensive line. Expect Les Mile to pound the ball early and often in an attempt to wear down the Florida defense.

The X-factor in this contest could LSU QB Jordan Jefferson. He returned from suspension last weekend, and ran for a touchdown in limited action. Jefferson was tabbed to be the starter at the beginning of the year, but the unexpected suspension following an off-the-field incident thrust Jarrett Lee into action. Lee has been solid, guiding LSU past some strong competition, creating somewhat of a QB controversy. In fact, Jefferson’s return could end up hurting the Tigers if Lee begins to look over his shoulder rather than take care of business. Jefferson certainly has a bigger arm and more playmaking ability than Lee, but it will be interesting to see how Miles handles the situation given how well the team is playing.

Regardless of who ends up seeing the most time under center, the Tigers should be able to control the action Saturday. LSU’s rushing offense may not be quite as effective as Alabama’s was, but the Tigers’ defense should rule the afternoon. Throw a freshman QB into the mix for Florida, and points will likely be hard to come by for the Gators. Heck, the LSU defense may end up scoring more points than the Florida offense. The Tigers should steadily pull away as the game progresses, covering the spread and adding yet another victory against a ranked opponent to their resume.

Prediction: LSU Tigers (-13 ½) Cover the Spread

Free College Football Picks and NCAAF Predictions: LSU -13.5 to cover the spread

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