#5 LSU 10-5 ATS as Home Favorite of 10.5-14 Points; Laying -13.5 vs #7 Florida – Picks & Odds

• Florida is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 road games where the total is between 52.5 and 56
• LSU is 10-5 ATS in their last 15 as a home favorite of 10.5 to 14 points
• The Gators have won nine of their last 14 trips to LSU

One of the highlight games from Week 7 will be No. 7 Florida’s visit to No. 5 LSU. Although the two teams are two spots apart in the Top 25 rankings, the Florida vs LSU odds show that this game isn’t expected to be close. Will the Gators actually get blown out or can they keep this close?

Florida Gators vs LSU Tigers Odds

*Odds taken 10/10/19

Gators Fresh off Big Win

There were some question marks about the Gators and their Top 10 rankings heading into Week 6 because they hadn’t really played any competent opponents, but they still took care of business. They handled No. 7 Auburn 24-13, giving their resume the credible win they needed.

The Gators defense was again stellar as they allowed a total of 12 points and 269 yards of offense. They held the previously undefeated Tigers to just 2-of-14 on third downs. They also collected four turnovers and a pair of sacks.

The issue is that the Gators offense didn’t look particularly good. Although head coach Dan Mullen was brought in to fix the offense, they clearly still have some issues. They turned the ball over themselves four times and had a really tough time moving the ball themselves. They finished with 398 yards of offense but 152 of it came on two plays.

The Gators are going to need to be better offensively on Saturday night, which includes being methodical and consistently picking up first downs. If they don’t find that consistency on offense, this game won’t be close.

Tigers Offense Among the Best in the Nation

The LSU Tigers are traditionally known as a defensive team but they’ve now discovered a quarterback and an offense. Not only is signal caller Joe Burrow one of the early Heisman Trophy candidates, he’s led an offense that leads the nation in points per game with 52.0 and is second with 561.2 yards of offense per game.

This unit has mowed down everything in its path – including a pretty good Texas defense on the road. That’s why they’re among the National Championship odds favorites. Sure, this is a step up in competition for them but there’s been little evidence to suggest they’ll get slowed down.

Can the Gators Defense Slow the Tigers Down?

This is going to be the story of the game. We know that the Gators can’t win a shootout with LSU but can they grind this game to a halt and force a slugfest like they did with Auburn last week?

The Gators have one of the top defenses in the SEC. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better pass rush in the conference while they lead the nation in takeaways. They have forced three or more takeaways in each of their last four games. Remember, Burrow had two picks and zero touchdowns in last year’s meeting.

What’s the Best Bet?

I just don’t see the Gators offense doing their part in this game. While the defense has been carrying the team and has forced plenty of turnovers, the offense has also turned it over two or more time in four of the team’s games this season.

There’s also the issue of quarterback Kyle Trask. We don’t know how good he really is – my guess is he’s a so-so starter at-best – but he’s also not fully healthy. He got through the Auburn game but his knee is not at 100%. The Tigers defense will be able to pin their ears back and go after a quarterback who won’t be mobile.

The Gators defense will show up early and get a few big stops and probably one turnover, but the offense won’t offer much in this game. That’s eventually going to wear the defense down. I’m looking for another big LSU win as I don’t think they’ll sweat too much in the second half, but it’ll be inside of the two-touchdown margin.

Pick: Florida +13 (-105)