Game One: 2003 LSU Tigers (13-1) vs 1993 Florida Gators (11-2)
Tale of the tape:
'03 LSU:
Points Per Game: 34
Points Allowed Per Game: 11
Avg. Margin of Victory: 26
Key wins: #3 Oklahoma, #7 Georgia (twice)
Losses: #24 Florida
'93 Florida Gators:
Points Per Game: 40
Points Allowed Per Game: 19
Avg. Margin of Victory: 26
Key wins: #12 Tennessee, #14 Alabama
Losses: #1 Florida St, #4 Auburn
Argument for LSU:
First things first: the LSU squad had one of the most impressive defenses to ever grace the league. Allowing a paltry 11 points per contest, the Tigers didn't have to score that many points to win a game. Still, they managed to put up 34 points a game with a talented offense. Loaded at RB with guys like Justin Vincent and Joseph Addai, the LSU running attack would put some pressure on the UF front line. Wideouts Michael Clayton and Devery Henderson would also be a chore for the Gator secondary. QB Matt Mauck threw 28 TDs in '03, and if he could keep the turnovers to a minimum, Matt could really keep the Gator defense on its heels.
Argument for Florida:
By 1993, the Gator offense was really starting to hit its stride under Steve Spurrier. Quarterbacks Terry Dean and Danny Wuerffel were in a split-time battle for Spurrier's favor. Danny, even though still young in '93, could do some damage against LSU's secondary, if his offensive line gave him enough time. He would also need WRs Willie Jackson and Chris Doering to step up their game against a physical DB corps. Florida definitely wants to keep the pace up with their "Fun-n-Gun" offense if they have a shot against this 2003 LSU squad.
How it Plays Out:
Florida wins the toss and elects to receive. Terry Dean gets the start but quickly draws Spurrier's ire when he flings an interception on the opening drive. Corey Webster broke on a curl route and snagged Dean's strike out of the air. Reeling from the quick turnover and poor defensive field position, the Gator defense is a bit out of sync as the LSU drive starts on the Florida 39. Two big gainers by Justin Vincent set the Tigers up with a 1st and goal from the 8. After stalling on 1st and 2nd down, Mauck finds Devery Henderson in the back of the end zone for 6.
The leash was short for Dean, very short. Following his quick pick, Spurrier elects to try his hand at youngster Wuerffel, who'd had his share of success coming off the bench. Playing it safe with a 1st down hand-off and a 2nd down screen, the Gators find themselves with a 3rd and 8. Not ready to surrender the ball quickly again to the LSU offense, Spurrier pulls out his first in a series of tricks. Catching the LSU defense napping, Willie Jackson takes a reverse down the left side for a 24 yard gain. Danny follows up the big gainer with a couple of quick hitters to Doering and Harrison Houston. Nonetheless, the drive stalls after a fake field goal attempt is sniffed out by the LSU special teams unit.
The remainder of the 1st quarter sees both offenses stall, but the Gators manage a field goal to bring the score to 7-3 at the half.
Starting the 2nd half with the ball, the Tigers waste no time going to work. Mauck flings a rocket to Michael Clayton on a post route to put the ball on the LSU 43. A series of punishing runs by Vincent and a screen pass to Addai places the ball on the Gator 13. Two plays later, Mauck pounds the ball into the end zone with QB sneak from the half yard line. Down 14-3, Florida decides to all but abandon the running game. Converting 4 consecutive 3rd downs, Wuerffel leads the Gators to their first TD of the afternoon, finding Houston for a 23 yard strike with 7:32 left on the clock in the 3rd.
LSU and Florida trade posessions for the remainder of the 3rd Quarter and most of the 4th. Mauck takes the field with 4:43 left in the 4th and a 14-10 lead. After moving the ball down te field to the Florida 31, Mauck gets blindsided by Ed Robinson with a de-cleater that resembles the hit Robinson unleashed on Florida State's Kez McCorvey. Matt not only loses the ball, he gets up looking like Andrew Hatch did in the '08 Auburn game.
Florida has a little success moving the ball, but Saban's defense is really putting the heat on Danny. Wuerffel makes a mistake and Randall Gay makes him pay, picking off an errant pass and walking it into the end zone.
Final Score: LSU 21 Florida 10
Link to Bracket (possible spoiler)
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