Florida comes calling on No. 3 Alabama

Sep 17, 2014 - 3:52 PM Tuscaloosa, AL (SportsNetwork.com) - Traditional SEC heavyweights square off on Saturday afternoon, as the Florida Gators hit the road to challenge the third-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide.

Both teams come in undefeated, with Florida having taken down Eastern Michigan (65-0) and league rival Kentucky (36-30, 3 OT), both at home. The Gators' season opener against Idaho was ruled no contest after being suspended for inclement weather. UF is idle for the first time next week, and will return to action on Oct. 4 when it battles Tennessee in Knoxville.

As for Alabama, it opened the 2014 campaign in Atlanta with a 33-23 win over West Virginia, then had an easier time of it in routs of visiting Florida Atlantic (41-0) and Southern Miss (52-12). The Crimson Tide will enjoy their first bye of the season next week as well, and then will play their first true road game when they visit Ole Miss on Oct. 4.

Alabama has won the last three meetings with Florida to take a 22-14 series advantage. The Gators' last victory in Tuscaloosa was a 16-10 verdict back in 1998.

While the competition level certainly wasn't the same as it will face this week, Florida has had very little trouble imposing its will on both sides of the ball in the first two games. The Gators are averaging 50.5 ppg, while churning out nearly 600 ypg (593.5). They have been equally effective in both modes of attack (248.5 ypg rushing, 345.5 ypg passing),

Jeff Driskell has been an efficient field general, completing 63.6 percent of his passes with four touchdowns against only one interception. Demarcus Robinson is clearly his favorite target, as the sophomore wideout has logged 21 receptions for 339 yards and three scores.

The Gators have a pair of 100-yard rushers in Matt Jones and Kelvin Taylor, and the duo has accounted for four of the team's five rushing TDs. Overall, UF runners are averaging 5.6 ypc.

The effort on defense has been just as impressive, as the first two opponents have combined for only 30 points while generating an average of 287.5 ypg. Florida has been especially stingy against the run (80.5 ypg), and it has yet to allow a rushing score.

A total of four players have recorded double-digit tackles on the season, with Neiron Ball, Antonio Morrison and Michael Taylor tied for the team lead (11). Ball has two of the Gators' five sacks, while Keanu Neal already has a pair of picks, both of which came last week against the Wildcats.

Florida beat Kentucky for the 28th straight year, which is the longest active winning streak in an annual series, although it was anything but a cakewalk.

Florida tallied 532 yards, but permitted 450. The Gators once again stood their ground against the run (81 net yards), but allowed 369 yards and three scores via the pass. Third-down conversions were an issue for UF, as it moved the chains on just 5-of-17 chances. It did however, score on all seven trips to the red zone, including four TDs, while Kentucky did so on both of its visits, settling for field goals each time.

Robinson was a beast in the passing game, logging 15 catches for 216 yards and two scur focus on this one game...We are going to have to play at a very, very high level to find a way to win."

LSU started its season off with a bang in the AdvoCare Texas Kickoff in Houston by coming from behind to defeat nationally-ranked Wisconsin, 28-24. Things have been much easier for the Tigers in recent weeks, as they have pitched a couple of shutouts over Sam Houston State (56-0) and ULM (31-0) to move to 3-0. The squad boasts an incredible 33-3 record in September during head coach Les Miles' tenure.

"We are still needing to improve and take strides but I like where we are at," Miles said. "I think we will enjoy game week in preparation to play again in Tiger Stadium."

LSU has a 71-33-3 advantage over Mississippi State in the all-time series. Les Miles has never lost to the Bulldogs in nine tries, and the program has won 14 in a row in the series dating back to 2000.

The Bulldogs' explosive offense has posted some gaudy numbers (43.7 ppg, 526.7 ypg) this season.

The unit is paced by one of the most electric dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation. Dak Prescott might not be the most accurate passer (.597 completion percentage) but he makes the most of his throws by racking up 696 yards with nine touchdowns and just two picks. Adding into account his dynamic rushing ability (273 yards, two TDs), he's becoming a dark horse contender for the Heisman Trophy.

In the backfield, Josh Robinson has benefitted from Prescott's versatility, and he has taken advantage of ample running room by picking up 288 yards and three touchdowns on 46 attempts.

Prescott does an outstanding job distributing the wealth in the passing game, as seven players have at least 70 receiving yards while no one has more than 110. Jameon Lewis (10 receptions, 107 yards) in the top option and has a hand in several aspects of the game with 26 rushing yards, 70 return yards and even a 24-yard touchdown pass.

MSU's defense has been nearly as impressive as its offense, shutting down opposing teams to the tune of just 12.3 ppg while forcing eight turnovers.

Benardrick McKinney has his eyes set on an All-SEC season at linebacker with 20 tackles, 5.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks and a fumble recovery. Preston Smith has two of the team's five interceptions and has contributed all over the field with 3.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks, two blocked kicks and a forced fumble.

LSU's offense has been a well-oiled machine in its own right, as the unit has scored 38.3 ppg, while displaying excellent balance between the rushing (226.3 ypg) and passing (214.0 ypg) attacks.

After a murky offseason in which no one ran away with the starting gig, Anthony Jennings has emerged as the primary quarterback in Miles' offense. He's completing less than 52 percent of his passes, but he's thrown for 566 yards, five touchdowns and one interceptions, while adding 61 rushing yards. Brandon Harris (76 passing yards, 53 rushing yards, two TDs) is also actively involved.

The Tigers are notorious for employing a stable of running backs, and the 2014 version of the squad is no different. Kenny Hilliard is the primary beneficiary with 215 yards and three touchdowns. Freshman and top recruit Leonard Fournette has impressed with 162 yards and two scores, and Darrel Williams (102 yards) is often called upon in the red zone with three touchdowns.

Travin Dural has a modest 12 receptions, but as one of the most explosive wide outs in the nation he's managed to pile up four touchdowns and 370 yards for an eye-popping 30.8 yards per reception.

As impressive as LSU's offense has been, its defense is the main reason it remains one of the top teams in the country, and it yields a mere 8.0 ppg and 205.7 ypg. The unit has shut out back-to-back opponents for the first time since 1985.

The Tigers have no shortage of talented playmakers on the defensive side of the ball, as 12 players have recorded at least nine tackles. Leading the way is Dwayne Thomas with 16 stops to go along with 1.5 TFL, 0.5 sack and a pick. Jermauria Rasco (2.0 sacks), Sione Teuhema (2.0 sacks) and Danielle Hunter (15 tackles, 2.5 TFL) anchor a talented front line.