No. 20 Florida pits potent offense vs. banged-up LSU defense

No. 20 Florida (4-2, 2-2 SEC) at LSU (3-3, 1-2), Saturday at noon EDT (CBS).

Line: Florida by 11 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Series record: Florida leads 33-31-3.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Florida needs a victory to remain ranked in the Top 25 and stay within two games of No. 1 Georgia atop the SEC East. LSU would fall below .500 with a loss and, given the strength of its upcoming schedule, have an uphill climb to avoid its first losing season since 1999.

KEY MATCHUP

Florida dual-threat QB Emory Jones against a banged-up LSU defense missing its top two cornerbacks in Derek Stingley Jr. and Eli Ricks, and two of its better defensive ends in Ali Gaye and Andre Anthony.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Florida: Jones has been accounting for about 270 yards of offense per game, averaging 190.7 yards passing and 79.7 yards rushing.

LSU: LB Damone Clark had 14 tackles against Kentucky for his third straight game with at least 10 tackles. Clark’s 68 tackles lead the SEC and rank second nationally.

FACTS & FIGURES

Both of Florida’s losses have come against teams currently ranked in the top 15: No. 5 Alabama and No. 11 Kentucky. … Florida ranks third nationally in yards rushing per game with 273.7 and 10th in total yards per game with 504. … Florida’s 1,642 yards rushing this season represents its highest total through six games in the last 46 years. It’s the most since the Gators gained 1,940 through six games in 1975. … Florida’s offensive line has allowed three sacks this season, tied for the fourth fewest nationally. … LSU has won two straight against Florida and three of its last four vs. the Gators. … The Tigers are coming off their best rushing performance of the season with 147 yards and two TDs against Kentucky. … LSU ranks second in the SEC in sacks with 20. … DE BJ Ojulari leads the Tigers and ranks No. 2 in the SEC in sacks with five. … PK Cade York has made 12 straight field goals dating to last year and holds the LSU record for most career field goals of 50 or more yards with 12.

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