LSU’S tumultuous week ends with trip to Swamp

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 twogame 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 selfimposed 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.

The Tigers have two games remaining, beginning with a road trip to face heavily favored and No. 6 Florida (8-1) on Saturday night 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.

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.

Tennessee at Vanderbilt

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Interim coach Todd Fitch expects Vanderbilt will have enough players for their final home game of the season.

The Tennessee Volunteers might want to play Saturday even more than Vanderbilt with each team viewing matchup as its best and likely last chance to end ugly skids before this very unusual season ends.

The Commodores (0-8) have lost eight straight and are trying to avoid the first winless season in school history. Tennessee (2-7) already has tied the longest skid in its vaunted history with six straight losses at a program with only eight seasons with seven or more losses.