Hot Boudin, Cold Cous-Cous...

+1.5 Is More Like It: A Week 6 Preview Part One:

The way this week started, one would have certainly thought Florida was the ninth-ranked team going to fifth-ranked LSU’s stadium this weekend. But Vegas got their wits about them, the line going from LSU -2 to LSU +1.5 in nearly three days. But judging about every piece of media I’ve seen, LSU’s already got the game wrapped up. We figure out some kind of way to win in the Swamp, even going so far as to say we “prove [we’re] the best one-loss team in the country.” Defense just too good, too many injuries for UF, JaMarcus is just playing too well.

As our favorite leather enthusiast would say, “That’s why they play the games."

Why would I go and do that? That is so... stupid.

So I’ll start with the completely original examination of each side of the ball for each team, offering a prediction at the end. Today, the LSU offense versus the Florida defense.

When LSU has the ball

The biggest difference we should see is a commitment to using the pass to set up the run, the complete opposite of three weeks ago in the Plains. Though I’d like to think that between Charles Scott and Alley Broussard (I don’t even consider Justin Vincent anymore) one of them should get hot and get at least four yards a carry. It’s not going to happen, unless we run some more sweeps to the outside during no-huddle situations.

Well, at least we can hope to enjoy these last few games with Jimbo.

And if Jimbo had any balls (and I think he does, actually) he’d start the game in the no-huddle offense. JaMarcus can’t think, or there goes errant throw number one, and I think Fisher realizes that now. Will Miles be as conservative as the Auburn game? He knows he needs a defining road and SEC win this season, with ‘defining’ pretty much equaling ‘top-five’ at this point for the program. So I say no, and he gives Jimbo more slack with the offensive playcalling, which should be a great thing, judging by the Tulane and State games.

I can be completely confident in saying that among Dwayne Bowe, Early Doucet, and Buster Davis, one of them will have a huge game. We’re never going to see a trio like them again, Tiger fans. They’ve become such good route runners, our best play in the repertoire now would have to be the ten-and-slant inside, which virtually eliminates any pass rush or impact from the defensive line and can easily turn into twenty-five yards with a broken tackle. I trust JaMarcus with this route.

Uh, you... are not... eighteen years old in this picture

However, I’m terribly worried about JR with his longer passes. Dude’s looked like everything his Mr. Alabama Football title should indicate, but I’m still thinking in 2004 mode here. Back then, JaMarcus would play really well one week, and then pull a Gainesville-in-October-2004 the next. My god, it was so bad Marcus Randall was considered the savior of the program for one week. JaMarcus (as I’m writing this, Holtz just called him ‘Jamaicus’… there’s your nickname, Tank) is simply the key to the game.

You were relevant in college football once? Really? Man, 1992 is like a billion years ago.

On the other side, the Florida defense is much improved from last year. They’ve probably got the second-best defensive line in the conference and have proven that with their SEC-leading run defense. I’m as scared of the name Brandon Siler as I’ve ever been; he filled Channing Crowder’s shoes very nicely at linebacker. So, uh, let’s just stop talking about running the ball against this front seven.

We match up tremendously well against their pass defense, however, and this will be where most of our scoring opportunities on offense will come from. Reggie Nelson has looked better than even Mighty LaRon Landry this year, although I’m still convinced the same player has worn #1 in the UF defensive backfield for like eight years now. Every year, there’s some player with extra-long dreads and extra-dark skin at safety who also runs track and may or may not return kicks for them. They call it ‘Reggie Nelson’ this year, apparently.

You're such a dude who wears #1. Nice tie, Reg.

I think we’ll know a lot after our first offensive drive; a three-and-out probably means we’re cooked. I just think if we can convert that mental preparation, which Miles’ team always seems to have on the road (save Georgia), to sound execution, we’ll drive a good part of the field early.

Tebow, he's so dreamy... Prediction: Florida Tebow LSU 0 Final.

Back tomorrow with Florida offense vs. LSU defense. Tebow Tebow Tebow Tebow… Daniels.

- P.T.