Game day: No. 21 LSU at Florida (3:30 p.m., ABC)

On By Littum

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — He’s one of the more recognizable Gators today, his 6-foot-6 frame topped by a nest of curly dark hair.

UF offensive lineman Austin Barber is the type of player coaches, fans and media members enjoy having around. He is friendly, approachable and cares about his craft. He is usually one of the first Gators in line to sing the alma mater after games, win or lose.

A redshirt junior who played at Trinity Catholic High in Jacksonville, Barber has fond memories of the Florida-LSU rivalry growing up.

“The play I remember most is the interception Joe Burrow,” Barber said this week. “Yeah, that’s the game I remember the most, sitting there with my dad and just going crazy after it happened.”

Barber’s second time in high school in 2018 when Burrow, his LSU team trailing 20-19 with less than two minutes remaining, threw a sideline pass that was intercepted by the Gators’ defensive back Brad Stewart and returned it for a touchdown. The swamp erupted with one of its signature roars.

Barber and his UF teammates will want to experience a similar scene this afternoon when the Gators (4-5, 2-4) host LSU (6-3, 3-2) in a Southeastern Conference showdown at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium . In his fourth season with the program, Barber has yet to beat the Tigers.

“It would be fun to beat LSU and just get another win under our belt,” Barber said.

(Read our comprehensive “Opening Kickoff” preview here)

The Gators have lost five straight to LSU, their longest losing streak in a rivalry dating back to 1937. The teams have played every season since 1971 and are scheduled to play in Baton Rouge in 2025. Then, with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma to SEC this season, nothing is guaranteed.

 

The Gators have more to play for than their first win over LSU since Stewart’s game-clinching interception. They need to win two of their last three games to become bowl eligible.

They’re also looking to shake off last week’s 49-17 loss at Texas, and with the Tigers in town, last season’s 52-35 loss at LSU. Heisman wins Jayden Daniels accounted for 606 yards of total offense to become only the second player in SEC history to pass and rush for 200 or more yards in the same game. LSU amassed 701 yards, the most ever against a Florida defense.

“I’ve never been done by a quarterback like that before, so of course it’s in the back of my mind when I see a quarterback try to escape,”‘ Gators edge rusher TJ Searcy said.

Daniels has moved on and is now one of the most dynamic young players in the NFL. LSU’s offense is led this season by the fourth-year junior Garrett Nussmeierwho has thrown for nearly 3,000 yards and 21 scores. However, the turnover-prone Nussmeier has committed six fumbles (five interceptions, one fumble) in the last six quarters in losses to Texas A&M and Alabama.

Meanwhile, the Gators have also lost two in a row, losing to Georgia in Jacksonville two weeks ago and at Texas last week. The Longhorns tore Florida’s defense apart for 562 yards at quarterback Quinn Ewers passed for 333 yards and five touchdowns.

Florida’s defense can expect to be tested through the air again with starting cornerbacks Jason Marshall Jr. and Devin Moore sidelined due to injuries.

NCAA Football: Alabama at Louisiana State
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier during last week’s loss to Alabama. (Photo: Stephen Lew/USA TODAY Sports via Imagine pictures)

The Tigers are ranked second in the SEC in passing offense (322.3 yards per game) and fifth in total offense (436.3). LSU’s offensive line protects Nussmeier well, giving up just six sacks all season. On the back end, the Gators rank 15th in the SEC in total defense (401.4) and rushing defense (167.3) and 13th in passing defense (234.1).

The best news for Florida heading into the game is the freshman quarterback DJ Lagway is ready to return from a strained left hamstring he suffered in the loss to Georgia. Lagway did not play in last week’s loss at Texas and was outstanding in his last outing in The Swamp, throwing for 259 yards and rushing for 46 in a 48-20 win over Kentucky on Oct. 19.

Coverage starts at 15.30 on ABC, with the crew on Dave Pasch on play-by-play, Dusty Dvoracek provide analysis and Taylor McGregor on the sidelines. The Gators Sports Network broadcast from Learfield will air with pregame coverage beginning at 12:30 and finally gives way to Sean Kelley and Shane Matthews in the booth, with Tate Casey reporting from the field. For GSN stations, click here.


The game will be rebroadcast on Tuesday at 14.00 and again on Tuesday evening at 10:30 a.m. on the SEC Network.


Finally follow along FloridaGators.com senior writer Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) for commentary and analysis throughout the game. FloridaGators.com will have complete post-game coverage from the game late Saturday night and follow-up content Sunday, too.