Before Florida takes on LSU in a battle of two ranked teams this weekend, we take a look back at one of the greatest games in this SEC match-up’s history.
No. 5 LSU is heading to Gainsville for a battle with No. 22 Florida. Over the years these two teams have played, there have been some great finishes. With both teams ranked this year, Gator and Tiger fans might feel this game is very similar to what happened in 2007. Both teams were ranked in the top 10 and put on a show in what was one of the best games of that season. We take a look at this moment in this week’s Throwback Thursday column.
Entering 2007, LSU was a favorite to win the national championship and looked well on their way to start the season. The Tigers were ranked No. 2 in the preseason poll and raced to a 5-0 record heading into the game against Florida. To make this game more compelling, LSU had finally claimed the top spot, coming in at No. 1 in the week’s AP poll.
Les Miles had a loaded team that season. Quarterback Matt Flynn was one of the best in the conference and defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey was the best lineman in the country, eventually winning the Nagurski and Bednarik. Jacob Hester was a bruising running back and receiver Early Doucet was one of the best in the country.
Before Urban Meyer was mentoring J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones at Ohio State, he worked with one of the best college football stars of all-time in Tim Tebow. Fresh off a national title in 2006, Meyer handed the reins to the sophomore from Jacksonville. The Gators started off hot at 4-0 before losing to Auburn and dropping from No. 4 to No. 9 in the polls.
Early on it looked like Florida was in control of the game, jumping out to a 10-0 lead in the second quarter. The Tigers answered with backup quarterback Ryan Perrilloux scoring on an option keeper. Tebow, however, was not done for the half yet as he scored a rushing touchdown to put Florida up 17-7 at the break.
LSU lined up for a field goal on their first drive of the third quarter. However, it turned out to be a fake and Flynn scrambled eight yards for a first down to keep the drive alive. Running back Keiland Williams scored a few plays later and the Tigers were back in the game. Tebow responded with a touchdown pass to Cornelius Ingram to give Florida a 24-14 lead going into the last quarter.
After the Tigers cut the lead to three with a touchdown pass from Flynn to Demetrius Byrd, they had one last shot to avoid the upset. LSU faced three fourth-and-shorts but converted each time. The last came on the 12-yard line when Miles called on Hester instead of kicking a field goal. It was their fifth fourth down conversion of the game. Soon after, Hester scored with just over a minute to play and the Tigers won 28-24.
The win sparked LSU’s run to the national championship. The Tigers would lose only one more game and went on to defeat Tennessee in the SEC Championship Game. A month later LSU defeated Ohio State 38-24 for their third national title.
Florida finished the regular season 9-3 and Tebow went on to win the Heisman Trophy. The Gators faced Michigan in the Capital One Bowl but lost 41-35. Fortunately, it was a season that began their run to the national championship in 2008. Florida defeated Oklahoma the following season for their second national title in three years.
While both teams this season may not be national championship contenders, Florida/LSU is always a must-see game every year. Both teams will give some great entertainment this Saturday.