Beware of Wounded Gators?

The top-ranked Fighting Tigers of LSU put their undefeated record on the line Saturday afternoon against 17th-ranked Florida in Tiger Stadium. For you longtime readers residing in Washington state and Buffalo, NY, don't worry. CBS will televise the contest nationally. LSU carries a 5-0 overall record and is 2-0 in conference play, while Florida is 4-1 and 2-1 in the SEC. The game marks LSU's fourth matchup against a top 25 team this year as the Tigers look to extend their 13-game winning streak in Death Valley. LSU hasn't dropped a game at home since October 10, 2009, when none other than Florida beat the Tigers in a 13-3 setback.

The Gators are wounded as they enter one of the most hostile environments in all of sports. Alabama beat up Florida last week and knocked out starting starting quarterback John Brantley. With Brantley out this week, Florida will turn to true freshman quarterback Jeff Driskel for a baptism on the bayou in his first career start. I can almost hear LSU's ball-hawk and all-around playmaker Tyrann Mathieu licking his chops, along with the beasts on LSU's defensive line.

But the Tigers should be wary. First-year Florida head coach Will Muschamp is looking for a signature win and there's a sense of desperation among this Gator squad. They're wounded, yes, but wounded animals are desperate and dangerous. That big great white shark in the 1975 classic "Jaws" was wounded, and how did that turn out for every fool who got in the water? That scary St. Bernard in 1983's "Cujo" was wounded, and I don't remember what happened in that movie, but I do remember that dog was vicious and very determined. I think the big gorilla in the 1933 film "King Kong" may have been wounded, and boy did he do some damage.

Now, I'll grant you that it's a stretch to analogize fictitious wounded great white sharks, St. Bernards, and gorillas to this Florida Gator team. But research didn't turn up any movies about wounded alligators. Anyway, you get my point. I hope.

Wounded or not, Florida always plays LSU tough in Baton Rouge and the series has produced many memorable moments. Several longtime readers rushed the Tiger Stadium field when LSU knocked off #1 Florida in 1997. In 2003 (when Will Muschamp was LSU's defensive coordinator), Florida started a true freshman quarterback against LSU and left Death Valley with a win. In 2007, Les Miles ran Jacob Hester on fourth down about 34 times and moved the chains every time.

On Saturday, if the Tigers fall behind early and give up big plays against Florida's speedy backs, it could be a longer afternoon for LSU than most pundits have forecasted. But Gator fans hoping for a 2003 repeat must know that, unlike in 2003, this LSU team is not trying to climb the college football mountain. Les Miles has these Bayou Bengals accustomed to big-time games in the national spotlight. These days it's almost customary for the Tigers to be on the prowl for a national championship.

Look for Florida to keep it close in the first half with a few tricks up its sleeve, as Muschamp knows he can't count on his true freshman quarterback to carry the Gators on his shoulders. But LSU's Jarrett Lee/Jordan Jefferson combination -- don't get me started there, that's a whole other article -- and the Tigers' suffocating defense should enable Miles and his "damn strong" football team to notch another conference win.

Prediction:

LSU 24
Florida 13

Geaux Tigers!