Five storylines to follow in Florida's game against LSU

Before every Florida game, Gators Online Senior Writer Zach Abolverdi comes up with five pertinent questions for the matchup. Here’s Week 7 against LSU:

How does Florida’s run game perform with a new lineup?

The Gators had just 19 rushing yards in the first half last Saturday, then Montrell Johnson Jr. and Trevor Etienne went off after the break. Johnson had runs of 41 and 36 yards, while Etienne reeled off a 39-yarder before back-to-back 16-yard carries in the fourth quarter. Their performances against Missouri and throughout the first half of the season resulted in a depth chart shakeup at running back this week. Johnson will make his first start of the season against LSU and Etienne is listed as his backup, while former starter Nay’Quan Wright has been moved to third-string.

Can the Gators have their first turnover-free game?

Another week, another turnover storyline for quarterback Anthony Richardson and the Florida offense. The Gators have yet to play a game this season without an interception and/or fumble, totaling 10 turnovers. All of them have been committed by Richardson except for Johnson’s fumble in the opener. Last Saturday marked Richardson’s fourth game with two turnovers. “Coach Nape says that every time we have to post a zero and we’ve yet to post a zero,” he said. “So, I’m trying to take charge of that so we can limit turnovers as much as possible.”

Will Florida fare better on third down against LSU?

Florida’s offense struggled to sustain drives against Missouri — running a season-worst 46 plays — and also couldn’t get off the field defensively. The Gators converted just 27 percent of their attempts (3-of-11), their second-lowest third-down percentage in a game this season. Defensively, Florida allowed an opposing offense to convert more than 50 percent of its third-down attempts for the fourth time in 2022. Mizzou converted 9-of-17 tries, including two third-and-9s, third-and-15, third-and-18 and third-and-22. LSU ranks fourth in the SEC in third-down conversions, while UF is last in the league in opponent third-down conversions.

Can UF stop the run after LSU went off last season?

The Tigers rushed for a whopping 321 yards last season vs. Florida, led by Tyrion Davis-Price. He finished with 287 yards, breaking Herschel Walker’s record for the most rushing yards (238) against the Gators in program history. Davis-Price is now a rookie with the 49ers and LSU’s rushing game has taken a step back, while UF has struggled to defend the run this season. Florida’s rushing defense ranks 110th nationally and second-to-last in the SEC, allowing 186.0 yards per game. The Gators’ No. 1 concern will be keeping LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels from beating them with his legs.

After 4 sacks last week, will UF get to Jayden Daniels?

Daniels, an Arizona State transfer, is a dual-threat passer who leads the Tigers in rushing with 359 yards and three touchdowns. He had 114 yards on the ground against FSU and 93 yards vs. Mississippi State. Despite his elusiveness and running ability, Daniels has also faced heavy pressure this season. The Tigers have allowed 21 sacks on the year, which ranks 122nd nationally and 13th in the SEC. Florida is coming off season highs in sacks (4.0) and tackles-for-loss (13.0) last week against Missouri, including a sack and 3.0 TFL apiece from Brenton Cox Jr. and Princely Umanmielen.