No. 18 Gators Will Look to Make Offensive Strides Against LSU

The Florida Gators are outside the Top 50 nationally in rushing and passing, and although they only sit a game behind Tennessee in the SEC East, a game against LSU looms. Coach Jim McElwain and company may need a win this weekend to stay in contention.

Good news for Florida may come if quarterback Luke Del Rio starts, let alone plays, against the Tigers on Saturday.

Florida wide receiver Brandon Powell would be happy to have his starting QB back.

Powell has been one of the spark plugs for Del Rio and the offense. After catching 29 passes for 390 yards last season, Powell is third on the team with 19 catches for 168 yards and two touchdowns in 2016.

Powell limped off the field with an ankle injury on Saturday during his team’s 13-6 victory over Vanderbilt. He had four catches for 23 yards.

“If I can walk, I can play.” Said the Gators’ #2 wide receiver on Monday.

The team recently made an announcement of the threat of Hurricane Matthew and its possible affect on the game.

There has been no change as it relates to the status of #LSUvsUF. pic.twitter.com/RmTjTXZEVC

— Florida Gators (@FloridaGators) October 4, 2016

Florida has lost their last three against LSU, but this one will be a little different as Les Miles the “Mad Hatter” will not be on the sideline as LSU’s coach.

The team fired Miles last week and replaced him with interim coach Ed Orgeron. Orgeron just watched his team break a school record for offensive yards in an SEC game, with 634 against Missouri in a 42-7 rout on Saturday.

True sophomore Darrius Guice, who may start on Saturday if Leonard Fournette is unable to, ran for 163 yards on 17 carries with three touchdowns.

Fournette is expected to play against UF, according to Orgeron. The junior missed the Missouri game with an ankle injury.

LSU’s backup to the backup also had an outrageous game against Mizzou. Darrell Williams turned 21 carries into 130 yards and three touchdowns.

Gator Running Game

Florida has their running back quandaries as the “four-headed monster” was held to 95 yards rushing against the Commodores.

Jordan Scarlett looked the best, with 55 yards and a touchdown, breaking tackles on almost every run.

Brandon Powell had some nice words to say about his running back, stating this is a new Jordan Scarlett, a tough running Jordan Scarlett. 

Broadcast Info

Kickoff from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is at noon Saturday. Radio coverage will start on ESPN Gainesville 95.3 at 8 a.m. with TV coverage on ESPN at noon.