Florida rush offense vs. LSU rush defense:
Forget any notion about Urban Meyer's spread option being a finesse offense; the Gators are a power running team, thanks to a big and physical line, and the base play this season has been the read option. Florida leads the nation in rushing at 307.5 yards per game, but the level of the opponent rises greatly in this one. Tim Tebow's condition could make things interesting here. If he is OK, will Gators coaches go with their bread-and-butter play, or will they try to get the ball to their tailback trio in different ways? The Gators use a tailback-by-committee approach with Jeff Demps, Chris Rainey and Emmanuel Moody, but Tebow has served as the power back. If Tebow isn't back to full speed, how much of a hindrance will that be for the running game? LSU shut down Georgia's rushing attack last week, but the Tigers had trouble with Washington's and Mississippi State's running games earlier in the season. LSU's linebackers make a lot of tackles, but they still can be exploited by quick running backs. DT Drake Nevis has been active and productive up front.
Edge: Florida

Florida pass offense vs. LSU pass defense:
Florida's passing attack has been so-so. TE Aaron Hernandez probably is the most talented of the receivers; he has the speed to get down the seam and the power to run over defensive backs after he has made the catch. He was a big-time weapon on shovel passes last season, but that has been a rarely used play this season. WR Deonte Thompson is expected to play after being sidelined by a hamstring injury, and his presence gives the Gators a needed deep threat. WR Riley Cooper, Tebow's roommate, is a physical receiver who has been a home-run threat in the past but not so much this season. Florida backup QB John Brantley is a better pure passer than Tebow, he hasn't seen much time. LSU CB Patrick Peterson is a big-time cover corner with great size. FS Chad Jones covers a lot of ground and packs a wallop. LSU's pass rush has been a disappointment; the Tigers have just five sacks. DE Rahim Alem, who has two of the sacks, is the most dangerous pass rusher. LSU foes have completed less than 50 percent of their passes, with five TDs and eight picks.
Edge: LSU

LSU rush offense vs. Florida rush defense:
If LSU can run effectively, it will be in good shape. In Charles Scott, the Tigers have one of the most talented tailbacks in the league. LSU has not been as dominant on the ground as expected, averaging 135.4 yards per game with five rushing TDs. Keiland Williams is a solid backup tailback, and true freshman QB Russell Shepard is a threat in the Tigers' version of the "Wildcat" formation. Coach Les Miles has not been all that happy with his linemen and the Tigers' fullbacks have struggled, as well. Florida would get a boost if DT Lawrence Marsh, the Gators' best interior lineman against the run, is able to play; he has been bothered by a high ankle sprain and has missed three games. Florida has an active group of linebackers, headed by Brandon Spikes, and cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and Joe Haden are active in run support.
Edge: Even

LSU pass offense vs. Florida pass defense:
This will be the eighth career start for sophomore QB Jordan Jefferson, who still is feeling his way a bit. He has good physical skills and can scramble. The Tigers might have the best receiving duo in the SEC in Brandon LaFell and Terrance Toliver; they have combined for 46 catches and seven TD receptions. TE Richard Dickson is a solid safety-valve receiver. LSU has allowed 13 sacks, including six last week to what had been a tepid Georgia pass rush. Florida has just seven sacks, a low number for a team with this many talented linemen. Look for a lot of Florida's "Joker" package - a 3-3-5 set - when LSU is in obvious passing downs. That enables defensive coordinator Charlie Strong to get good matchups for ends Carlos Dunlap and Jermaine Cunningham. Florida likes to blitz out of that set with a linebacker, safety or corner - and sometimes a combination thereof. Haden and Jenkins might be the best cornerback duo in the nation, and SS Ahmad Black always seems to be around the ball. Look for S Will Hill when the Gators play the nickel. The Gators have allowed one TD passes this season and opponents are completing less than 50 percent of their attempts.
Edge: Florida

Florida special teams vs. LSU special teams
Both have dangerous return men, Florida with Brandon James and LSU with Trindon Holliday. This season, James has been excellent on kick returns, awful on punt returns; Holliday has been good on punt returns but poor on kick returns. Both teams' coverage units have been superb, and Florida hasn't allowed any punt-return yardage this season. Florida P Chas Henry is better than LSU P Derek Helton. Neither kicker - Florida's Caleb Sturgis and LSU's Josh Jasper - has truly attempted a pressure kick. The Gators have blocked 27 kicks or punts, including a blocked punt for a TD against Kentucky, in Meyer's five seasons. LSU has had some issues with its deep snappers.
Edge: Florida

Coaching staffs
Both coaches have won national titles, with Meyer having won two of the past three. Look for a lot of in-game adjustments from two veteran defensive coordinators - Florida's Strong and LSU's John Chavis, who is in his first season with the Tigers after a long run with Tennessee. In four games at UT against Meyer and Florida, all losses, Chavis' defense gave up an average of 31.5 points per game. Miles is 2-2 against Meyer, winning both games in Baton Rouge.
Edge: Florida

X-factor:
This is easy - If Tebow plays well, Florida will be tough to beat. His presence would serve as a galvanizing force, and his leadership would be a huge boost during a night game in Death Valley. As for those who are tired of the Tebow hoopla, get ready for it to be taken to another level if in his first game after a concussion, he leads the top-ranked Gators to a win over fourth-ranked LSU on a Saturday night at Tiger Stadium.

Florida will win if:
If the Gators' defense stifles the run, Florida will be in excellent shape. The challenge for Florida's defense is to make the Tigers one-dimensional, and the Gators would feel good if Jefferson was forced to the air against their veteran secondary.

LSU will win if:
The Tigers need to make sure the home crowd stays in it for 60 minutes. LSU must avoid turnovers and force a few itself. A strong rushing attack would go a long way toward the Tigers springing the upset. LSU's secondary also can't allow many big plays.

EXPERT PICKS
Olin Buchanan: Florida 27, LSU 21
Tom Dienhart: Florida 27, LSU 24
David Fox: LSU 24, Florida 21
Mike Huguenin: Florida 20, LSU 14
Jason King: Florida 24, LSU 21
Steve Megargee: Florida 24, LSU 20
- Mike Huguenin