THE GAME: Florida / LSU Football Game Decided Last Three National Champions

THE GAME. This year THE GAME may just be Saturday's Florida vs. LSU game. The No. 1 Florida Gators (AP Top 25 Poll) are going into the game after a week off, something they needed in order for quarterback Tim Tebow, who was knocked out of Florida's last game against Kentucky with a concussion, to hopefully be ready to play. LSU enters the contest at #4, having beaten Georgia in a hardfought SEC game last Saturday.

Every season in college football, there is a game or two that gets elevated to a position of importance. But one of them inevitably becomes THE GAME. Sometimes it is seen in hindsight, but often it is seen in its developmental stages, as the scheduled game draws nearer. As LSU and Florida moved closer to their Saturday game, they remained undefeated. Florida, which was ranked at #1 in the Preseason AP Top 25 Poll, only seemed to stumble a bit during their Tennessee match-up, which they still won, 23-13. LSU has had three games decided by 8 points or less, but the argument could be made that LSU has played a tougher schedule.

But there has been every reason to believe that this game is THE GAME. The last three years have seen the winner of this Southeast Conference game go on to win the BCS championship. That kind of thing will get the game labeled THE GAME by nearly everyone if it continues to produce the national champion.

But none of that will matter in Baton Rouge at 8 p.m. Saturday evening. It will be the game because it will be the game of moment -- two undefeated teams simply trying to stay that way.

Tim Tebow, Florida's 2007 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, has been listed as questionable for the game because of the severe concussion. However, Florida (4-0) has outscored its opponents 182-29, 172 of those points with Tebow at the helm. Tebow is returning to Death Valley, the site of his only SEC loss in an opposing stadium (two years ago). But if Tim Tebow does not play, Florida loses the nation's third-ranked passer. John Brantley will have to step in like he did in Kentucky, where he showed he could be an effective general of the nation's No. 1 ranked rushing offense.

According to NCAA college football statistics, LSU is currently ranked 66th in the nation in rushing and 86th in passing. They ranked 99th in total offense after 5 games. That offense will be up against overall No. 3 ranked team offense (they're 58th through the air). The scoring offense statistics make the two teams appear to be a little more evenly matched (Florida: #2, LSU: # 62).

But as uneven as the two teams seem to be on offense, defensively it is nearly the same story. Florida enters the game at #17 against the rush and #2 against the pass. LSU ranks #41 and #52, respectively. In total defense, Florida is ranked #1. The LSU Tigers are ranked at #40.

However, those statistical rankings are a bit deceptive. In total defense, Florida has allowed only a little more than one yard less per play. In total offense, Florida averages over 2.5 yards more than LSU. LSU's defense also has 8 interceptions on the year, helping rank them at No. 8 on takeaways. It has also helped their defense keep their opponents to less than 15 points per game.

Still, Florida is averaging an allowance of just of 7 points per game.

On paper, the game looks nearly like a "walk" for Florida. But...

And on any given football game day, against any given team, a team, no matter how highly ranked or touted, can lose. And LSU will be looking to hand Florida their first loss in 15 games. LSU takes a 32 night game winning streak at home into Saturday's game as well.

This could very well be THE GAME.

As LSU coach Les Miles said when asked about LSU's contest against Auburn (also currently undefeated) after the Florida game (and a bye week), "There's a game after this? The only thing I'm focused on is this very next opponent. It's a very consuming task, and we're not looking to the bye week and those teams that we play thereafter. It's all about this Saturday."

It certainly has been for the past three football seasons.

And there is absolutely no doubt that each player, coach, fan, opposing fan, college football fan, sports announcer and sportswriter understands the importance of Saturday's game. The #1 team in the nation squaring off against the #4 team in the nation. One of them will lose and drop in the AP Poll and other college football rankings. Given the overall competitive parity in college football, the loss could cost the losing team a shot at a national title.

It might not be THE GAME of the year, but it certainly is THE GAME of the year thus far. And for 60 minutes on that field in Baton Rouge, it will be THE GAME for LSU and Florida and the millions watching them play.

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Sources:

Associated Press
NCAA.org
"This is THE GAME," BayouBengalsBlog.blogspot.com