Game Eight: 1995 Florida Gators (12-1) vs 2007 LSU Tigers (12-2)
Tale of the tape:
'95 Florida Gators:
Points Per Game: 43
Points Allowed Per Game: 20
Avg. Margin of Victory: 28
Key wins: #3 Tennessee, #22 Auburn, #4 Florida State,
Losses: #1 Nebraska
'07 LSU Tigers:
Points Per Game: 39
Points Allowed Per Game: 20
Avg. Margin of Victory: 23
Key wins: #16 Florida, #14 Auburn, #4 Ohio State
Losses: UR Kentucky, UR Tennessee
Argument for Florida:
I know, I know, Nebraska. Let's get it out of the way: Florida got crushed by Nebraska in the title game 62-24. But this Gator team flat out walked the SEC in 1995. Their toughest league game was beating LSU by 18 points in Baton Rouge. They hung 62 on UT, 49 on Auburn, 52 on UGA, 63 on South Carolina. This team was the offensive equivalent of Muhammad Ali in his prime. It was graceful and it had power. Imagine this WR corps: Reidel Anthony, Ike Hilliard, Jacquez Green, Chris Doering, and Aubrey Hill. The QB, Danny Wuerffel was no slouch either. His arm combined with Spurrier's schemes, and olympic track style speed at WR, is going to make it a long day for the LSU secondary. James Bates and Johnnie Church are looking to knock the taste out of the mouth of the LSU offense. Since the 07 Tigers can put up some points in their own right, look for the Gator defense to try and capitalize off of LSU mistakes, and give a little ground on defense while looking for the big counter punch.
Argument for LSU:
There's always an argument for a team when it was a National Champion. Some say the Tigers backed their way into the game, but they flat out C-R-U-S-H-E-D Ohio State for the title and were flat out stacked on both sides of the ball. Glenn Dorsey ruled the DLine with guys like Darry Beckwith, Ali Highsmith, and Chevis Jackson playing behind him. You can't forget heavy hitting Safety Craig Steltz and stellar defensive lineman Kirston Pittman. Matt Flynn was a more than capable QB, and Jacob Hester would use the truck stick on opposing defenders. LSU wants this game to be a backyard brawl. They want to slow the pace and grind away with big boys Hester leading the charge. Keiland Williams will also get carries, but he needs to get in a groove early if he wants to keep getting looks.
How it Plays Out:
LSU wanted a dogfight and they got one. On Florida's first drive Steltz absolutely destroys Doering coming across the middle. Two plays later Pittman blows up a sweep and takes Taylor out for the rest of the game. Florida didn't seem to miss a beat, however. The big uglies up front gave Wuerffel plenty of time in the pocket. Danny proceeded to methodically pick apart the LSU secondary. Gaining 126 yard through the air on the first two UF drives, Wuerffel was in a groove. After an opening drive FG, the Gators were ready for an encore. Hilliard grabs one, Green snags another. Just when the LSU defense was looking pass all the way, Elijah Williams lets go a 19 yard draw up the gut for a touchdown.
Not willing to bow out early, LSU gets off the mat down 10-0. Flynn flings a couple of quick ones and Hester pounds the rock up the middle, lumbering for 16 yards. With a promising drive coming to form, an offensive miscue leads to a 9 yard sack when Church blindsides the LSU signal caller. A huge 3rd and 14 conversion, however, made that sack a distant memory. The drive results in a Colt David FG.
Aiming for a knockout punch, UF comes out swinging after a short kickoff. Spurrier felt a 2 touchdown lead paired with his defense would be enough to get past this LSU squad in round one. But Wuerffel, in looking for an open Ike Hilliard, didn't notice the paw of Glen Dorsey flying through the air. The tipped pass didn't land harmlessly on the turf. It landed in the diving arms of Chevis Jackson. Taking very little time to capitalize, LSU reached the end zone on a 4 yard Williams sweep.
To open the 2nd half, Florida found itself in unfamiliar territory: a close game. LSU's Holliday took the Gator kickoff to start the 3rd Quarter. He started left, saw a wall, and reversed field. The backside pursuit had broken down and he found a seam. Like a blur, he was gone. Praise for Trindon quickly turned to scorn as he high-stepped his way into the end zone from the 15 yard line. Electing to take the penalty on the kickoff, the Gators ended up with excellent field position at their own 41. A screen to Jacquez Green put Florida on the LSU 44. A streak from Hilliard put them in between the L and the S in the end zone. Tie ball game.
The 4th Quarter put both RBs in the doghouse. Williams fumbled for LSU, and Williams fumbled for Florida. LSU was unable to capitalize and Florida found the end zone on their resulting posession. LSU was able to add a field goal on the next drive, but found themselves on the losing end of a hail mary toss as time expired.
Final Score: Florida 24 LSU 20
Link to Bracket (possible spoiler)
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