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SEC media days: LSU’s season could be defined by Miami, Gators

LSU defensive end Rashard Lawrence says the Florida Gators rivalry has become the biggest one in the SEC for the Tigers
 
The LSU-Florida rivalry has continued to grow in the last few years. [ EVE EDELHEIT  |  Times ]
The LSU-Florida rivalry has continued to grow in the last few years. [ EVE EDELHEIT | Times ]
Published July 16, 2018

ATLANTA — With criticism already heating up on LSU coach Ed Orgeron, don't be surprised if the Tigers' season ends up getting defined by their performance against two Florida teams.

The first comes on the Sunday of opening weekend, against Miami in Arlington, Texas.

"I know that they're coming off a very successful season," LSU LB Devin White said. "I know that they're going to be locked in."

The Tigers expect to be locked in, too, with whoever starts at quarterback. Ohio State grad transfer Joe Burrow will be in the mix, but the battle with Justin McMillan, Myles Brennan and Lowell Narcisse could continue into the Miami game. Orgeron didn't rule out the possibility of playing two quarterbacks in the opener.

The Gators game on Oct. 6 looms just as large.

Off-field stories have cranked the series' intensity to "probably the highest it's been," DE Rashard Lawrence said. The drama includes the 2016 rescheduling because of Hurricane Matthew, Florida naming LSU its homecoming opponent last year and UF choosing to honor Tim Tebow and the 2008 title team during this year's game.

Those are all factors that caused Lawrence to call the Gators his team's biggest SEC rival.

"There's something different when we play them," Lawrence said.

Audibles

"I always look forward to that annual question here, until we get it done…You can't hide from the elephant in the room. It's been a long time. We need to beat Florida, but we need to beat a lot of teams on our schedule." — Kentucky coach Mark Stoops on the Gators' 31-game winning streak in the series

"Jimbo, there's no doubt he'll do very well at Texas A&M." — Stoops on Aggies coach Jimbo Fisher. Stoops worked as Fisher's defensive coordinator at Florida State and said he still employs some of Fisher's techniques at Kentucky

Sankey says

Although the Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac-12 all have nine-game conference schedules, the SEC isn't going there – at least not yet. Commissioner Greg Sankey said he doesn't envision a change to its eight-game slate, but he does expect "healthy and continued dialogue" on the issue.

The Supreme Court's recent decision that could open up legalized sports gambling across the country could lead to an injury report. But it won't happen in the SEC this season. "Identifying the proper approach should be the priority, not haste…" Sankey said. "If this is to happen, we have one opportunity to get it right."