LSU vs. Florida: The wild recent history of the rivalry – LSU Wire

If you asked a college football fan at random to rattle off some of the best rivalries in the sport, its likely that Florida-LSU would sit fairly low on the list.

Though the two schools have played annually since 1971 and have been each others cross-division rival since the league added divisions in 1992, this rivalry didnt really reach its stride until the 21st Century and largely played second-fiddle behind more prestigious conference rivalries for both schools.

Now, this is one of the most competitive rivalries in all of college football. Florida leads the all-time series of 68 meetings by just one game, and LSU will look to even things up in the Swamp on Saturday night as it goes for its fourth straight win in the rivalry.

But if recent history has taught us anything, its that this game is sure to be pure chaos. Heres a rundown of the insane results from the last few years of this matchup

The Tigers entered last years contest at 3-3 with what was perceived as a lame-duck coach in Ed Orgeron after the team had lost two straight. But they earned a huge ranked win against a Gators team that would spiral after this one.

Max Johnson got the better of Anthony Richardson in a barnburner, LSU forced four turnovers and running back Ty Davis-Price had a career game, going for 287 yards and three touchdowns as UFs defense was absolutely gashed.

Florida went on to drop four of its final six games and fired coach Dan Mullen.

This game needs no introduction for fans of either school. In one of the craziest games in an already crazy series, LSU pulled off a massive upset against a top-10 Florida team on the road in the midst of a rough year in the final game of the regular season, putting quite a damper on the Gators playoff hopes.

With the game tied at 34 in the fog in Gainesville, Florida got a crucial stop on third and 10. But cornerback Marco Wilson picked up a loose Tigers cleat and tossed it, resulting in a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down. LSU went down the field, and Cade York kicked what would ultimately prove to be the game-winner from 57 yards with 23 seconds to play.

This game was much better than the final score indicates. In a compelling quarterback dual between Joe Burrow and Kyle Trask, LSU emerged victorious in the battle between undefeated teams. The two quarterbacks combined for more than 600 yards and six touchdowns, but an interception in the end zone late on what could have been a game-tying drive made the difference.

This is the last time the Gators got the better of LSU in this series. Playing a second-straight game in Gainesville due to Hurricane Matthew, Burrows first and only trip to the Swamp didnt go as planned.

Mullen earned a signature win over a top-five team in his first season, and the final score ended up looking more lopsided thanks to a pick-six for Brad Stewart at the end one of two picks Burrow threw in this game.

LSU had a rough start to Orgerons first full season in 2017. It entered this one at 3-2 with losses to Mississippi State and Troy. But the Tigers managed to get their revenge for a heartbreaking loss in Baton Rouge the prior year, taking down Florida 17-16 in the Swamp.

The Gators played from behind most of the game and had to overcome a 17-3 second-half deficit. They scored what could have been the game-tying touchdown with fewer than two minutes to play, but kicker Eddy Pineiro missed the extra point, sealing Floridas fate.

This game kickstarted the end of the Jim McElwain era, as it began a five-game losing streak of which he was fired in the midst.

This game had to be moved to the end of the season and from Gainesville to Baton Rouge due to Hurricane Matthew, which ultimately resulted in a tenser rivalry over the last few years than usual. With the SEC East on the line, the Gators won a battle in Death Valley.

It took a 98-yard touchdown pass to Tyrie Cleveland and a pair of huge goal-line stands, but Florida survived in what remains its last win at Tiger Stadium.

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LSU vs. Florida: The wild recent history of the rivalry - LSU Wire