Andreu's Answers

Before every game this season, veteran football beat writer Robbie Andreu will come up with five pertinent questions earlier in the week, then answer them after each game. Here is week six:

1. Can UF's defensive front hold up against LSU's mammoth offensive line in the running game?

The Gators stuffed tailback Charles Scott early in the game, and that trend would continue throughout. The biggest UF concern coming into the game was that LSU would be able to control the ball and the clock with Scott and the running game. But the Gators took it away, despite a huge size disadvantage up front. In building a 20-7 lead in the first half, the Gators completely took Scott out of the game, limiting him to 12 yards rushing on seven carries. In the half, the Tigers managed only 35 yards on the ground. LSU's only threat on the ground turned out to be track star/wide receiver Trindon Holliday. Winning this matchup was huge for the Florida defense.

2. Special teams are expected to be huge. Who wins this key battle?

The Gators didn't block a punt or spring returner Brandon James for any huge gains, but UF produced enough in the return game with James to keep the offense in good field position for much of the night. And place-kicker Jonathan Phillips nailed his field goal attempt in the first half. Perhaps the most positive aspect for UF was the way the cover teams kept Holliday from making any game-changing plays with his blazing speed.

3. Can UF's small, speedy tailbacks find some openings in the stout LSU defensive front?

This certainly was a huge challenge coming into the game, given the fact that many consider LSU's defensive line to be the strongest in the nation. Early in the game, the Gators got Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps on the edge, where they used their speed to produce positive gains. Once that was established, the offensive front was able to carve some openings between the tackles and Rainey and Demps had success going that route. Success in the middle helped create space on the outside, which Demps used to race 42 yards for a touchdown on an option play in the third quarter.

4. Will the Gators have some success throwing down field against man coverage?

The Gators answered this question on the third offensive play of the night, when faced with a third-and-12 right out of the box, Tebow threw deep down the left sideline for Percy Harvin. The ball was tipped by LSU safety Danny McCray and then Harvin, who was several yards behind McCray, tipped the carom to himself and raced 70 yards for a touchdown to give UF a perfect start for the night. From that point on, LSU's defensive backs were wary of the deep throws and it opened a lot of opportunities underneath in the passing game. Tebow certainly didn't stop looking down field. With the success of the running game, there were opportunities with play-action passes, and Tebow and wide receiver Louis Murphy hooked up for a 37-yard pass play down the right sideline that set up UF's first touchdown in the second half. Ultimately, UF effectively stretched the field with the down-field passing game.

5. Will Tebow spread the ball around to the playmakers like he did a week ago?

Offensive coordinator Dan Mullen has always said the offense is at its best when the ball is being distributed to multiple playmakers. Going against a defense as strong as LSU's, it obviously was a priority coming into the game. And Tebow did an effective job spreading the ball around to his fast and numerous playmakers. By spreading the ball around early in the game, it prevented the aggressive LSU defense from really attacking the UF offense, which other teams have done with some success this season. The Tigers seemed a little bit on their heels. The result was success on the ground and in the air.