Unrecognizable LSU trudges into Swamp to face Florida
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — LSU’s reign as national champion essentially ended months ago. The Tigers have looked nothing like the team that swept the Southeastern Conference and the College Football Playoff last season.
And it goes well beyond their 3-5 record and two-game losing streak. Players are leaving coach Ed Orgeron’s program almost weekly, some opting out, others entering the transfer portal. And amid apparent NCAA rules violations, LSU self-imposed a one-year ban on postseason play Wednesday as part an effort to cooperate with the investigation.
It’s a team in turmoil, one that would like to end its most forgettable season in more than two decades on a high note.
“It’s been challenging,” Orgeron acknowledged this week. “Every day has been fluid. Every day has been new, obviously, with the things that have happened. But I can’t say I’ve been blind-sided.”
The Tigers have two games remaining, beginning with a road trip to face heavily favored and No. 6 Florida (8-1) tonight in the Swamp.
No one should expect the Gators to have any sympathy for their West Division rivals. If anything, coach Dan Mullen’s team is trying to be more efficient and consistent on both sides of the ball — hoping to peak in time for next week’s SEC championship game against top-ranked Alabama.
“I think we can play a lot better than we have,” Mullen said.
The Gators have overcome slow starts defensively and mid-game lulls offensively since blowing out Arkansas 63-35 a month ago. They scored 38, 34 and 31 points in the last three weeks, a number they hope to see move in the other direction against the Tigers.
Florida refused to look ahead to the Crimson Tide, partly because it’s Senior Night for a class that made a smooth and successful transition from Jim McElwain’s underwhelming regime to Mullen’s threeyear run that’s included steps forward each season.
The Gators also haven’t forgotten last year’s loss to LSU, a 42-28 setback in which Florida led 28-21 in the second half before eventual Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow and running back Clyde EdwardsHelaire led the Tigers to 21 unanswered points down the stretch.