College Football Week 7: Florida Visits LSU in Battle of Undefeated SEC Teams

Posted on: October 12, 2019, 02:00h. 

Last updated on: October 11, 2019, 10:55h.

The No. 7 Florida Gators will face their toughest test to date as they travel to Baton Rouge to take on the No. 5 LSU Tigers in the top matchup in Week 7 of the college football season.

Week 7 LSU Florida
LSU is a 10.5-point favorite over visiting Florida in the biggest matchup in Week 7 of the college football season. (Image: LSU/Collegiate Images/Getty)

The Tigers are a 13.5-point home favorite against the Gators, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.

Florida, LSU Getting Into Meat of SEC Schedule

Florida is coming off a 24-13 home victory over Auburn to move to 6-0 on the year. But the SEC schedule never gets easier: not only do the Gators have LSU this week, but they still have a clash with No. 3 Georgia coming on Nov. 2, among other tests.

LSU has had a relatively light schedule, outside of an early non-conference test against Texas. Last week, the Tigers coasted to a 42-6 win over Utah State, but their schedule is ramping up quickly: in the next four weeks, they will play Florida, Auburn, and No. 1-ranked Alabama, likely needing to win at least two of those games to remain in playoff contention.

According to LSU coach Ed Orgeron, the key for his team may be stopping Florida’s explosive running game.

“Obviously, watching the tape, the last couple years they’ve run the football on us,” Orgeron said at a pre-game press conference. “We can’t let them run the football on us. Gotta be physical, got to tackle. Their back is an excellent back. [Florida coach] Dan [Mullen] is an excellent play-caller.”

Oklahoma, Penn State Favored Over Conference Foes

Also on tap for Saturday is a Big 12 battle that sees the No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners (5-0) visit the No. 11 Texas Longhorns (4-1). Both teams are undefeated in conference play so far, with Texas’ only blemish being the aforementioned loss to LSU.

While this could be the toughest test remaining on Oklahoma’s schedule, the Sooners still come in as a heavy favorite, as Oklahoma is a 10.5-point road favorite on Saturday. That said, Texas coach Lincoln Riley is expecting a game with plenty of swings for both sides.

“There are a lot of really good players on the field, a game that’s extremely intense, that’s important to both teams,” Riley told reporters. “I’ll only speak to my history or my time with [this rivalry], but any battle we’ve ever had with these guys, there’s been a ton of momentum shifts back-and-forth.”

Big Ten fans also have a big game to look forward to, as No. 10 Penn State (5-0) will visit No. 17 Iowa (4-1). Iowa is coming off a hard-fought 10-3 loss at Michigan, but will have another shot at knocking off one of the traditional conference powers on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Iowa will be the first ranked opponent for Penn State this season. The Nittany Lions will come into Iowa as 3.5-point favorites, despite being the road team.

In the only other matchup featuring two ranked teams, No. 1 Alabama (5-0) will travel to No. 24 Texas A&M (3-2), with the Crimson Tide coming into the game as an overwhelming 17-point favorite.