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Thursday, April 25, 2024

LSU defense to pose challenges for Gators offense

The thumbs-up reviews described it as "explosive," "high octane," and "unstoppable" after three games.

Three weeks ago, UF had just embarrassed Tennessee with a 59-point outburst as the offense fired at will.

That would be the climax of UF's early-season dominance.

After two consecutive shaky games, including a loss, Coach Urban Meyer's spread 'n' shred attack can be summed up in one word - predictable.

That will have to change this week against top-ranked LSU, a team known for its ferocious defense.

"Everybody says that's the best defense in the country," said UF wide receiver Andre Caldwell, who should be fully healthy from a sprained MCL this week. "But I think we've got a lot of explosive players on offense. We're not going to hold back. We're letting it all loose."

That would be a major change from recent weeks.

A post on Every Day Should Be Saturday, a popular college sports Web site, nailed down the basis of the Gators' scheme.

It featured a Twister-like spinner with six possible play calls: a screen to Percy Harvin, a reverse to Harvin, a Hail Mary to Harvin, or Tim Tebow runs to the right, middle or left.

OK, it's not that simple. But it's close.

Tebow averaged 23 carries the last two games while starting running back Kestahn Moore received seven handoffs per contest.

Meyer blamed the offensive line for Moore's lack of production.

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"To run the football, you need to have five guys up front handling their business," Meyer said. "I don't think (Auburn) was one of our better games."

Harvin had 26 combined touches against Mississippi and Auburn.

The wide receiver with the second-most production caught just six passes.

Meyer said the Gators are just taking what opposing defenses are giving them.

"I'm not so much worried about the touches because a lot of the time the defense dictates that," Meyer said.

LSU coach Les Miles is no idiot.

He knows what UF's offense is all about and praised the Gators in his weekly press conference.

When asked about the offense, he mentioned two players specifically: Tebow and Harvin.

"They have a nice offensive line that protects their quarterback (Tebow)," Miles said. "Anytime you play a quarterback that runs the football, it is a concern on defense. They have a number of playmakers, especially Percy Harvin."

Miles went on to say that LSU must swarm Tebow this week.

The Tigers certainly have the personnel on all units to do it.

All-America defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, tabbed by ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit as the best player in college football, anchors the defensive line.

LSU possesses All-SEC talent at linebacker (Ali Highsmith and Darryl Beckwith) and in the secondary (Craig Steltz, Jonathan Zenon and Chevis Jackson).

The Tigers stymied former Gators coach and offensive guru Steve Spurrier a couple weeks ago.

They forced Spurrier's South Carolina quarterbacks into a 19-of-42 passing day and stopped running back Cory Boyd for 17 yards on 18 carries.

"They're a defense that makes plays," Tebow said. "They make the offenses do what they want."

Tebow's analysis is dead on.

LSU can do just about anything it wants scheme-wise.

The Tigers can load the box and knock Tebow to the ground on sneaks or drop back and deny deep passes.

Heck, they might be able to do both at the same time.

"We will have the 'come get ya' load the box and play some coverage," Miles said. "We enjoy the matchup."

For UF, the return of a third option on offense provides a big boost.

Caldwell missed the last two games with his knee injury but made it his mission to play this week.

He recorded 111 receiving yards as a downfield threat in UF's first two games.

But it's not just Caldwell.

The entire offense, from the Heisman-contender quarterback to the little-used running backs, must improve so it's no longer a two-player system.

"We're just going to have to do it a little bit better, execute a little bit more, run a little bit harder, stand on our blocks a little bit longer," Tebow said. "Just play a little bit better."

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