Both LSU and Florida are dealing with injuries to key personnel heading into this Saturday’s top-10 showdown at Tiger Stadium.
It’s only Wednesday, but both Ed Orgeron and Dan Mullen had good news to share during their respective turns on the SEC Coaches Teleconference.
From the LSU standpoint, both defensive end Rashard Lawrence and linebacker Michael Divinity are trending toward being available after returning to practice this week.
“Divinity is a little bit farther along and I could see him starting,” Orgeron said. “I believe that Rashard, we’re going to have to see how the week goes. He’s practiced. He’s done some things, but not all things.
“I do believe (Lawrence) is going to play. Whether he’s going to start or not? I do not know that.”
Lawrence and Glen Logan, who have both been out since the Texas game, could potentially rejoin a defensive line coming off a strong effort against Utah State.
Neil Farrell and Breiden Fehoko have been starting at defensive end since Lawrence and Logan went down with lower leg injuries.
Farrell has impressed to the point that Orgeron said he’ll continue to be considered a starter once LSU gets healthier up front.
“Neil’s tougher than an old alligator, man” Orgeron said Monday. “He stuck with it. Now his opportunity has come. I told Coach (Bill) Johnson, I said, ‘Once Neil becomes a first-teamer he’s going to be hard to sit down,’ and he is. And right now he’s still on first team. I don’t know if Glen’s going to play, but I expect Neil to start in this game.”
Speaking of Gators, all eyes this week will be on the health of Florida quarterback Kyle Trask, He sustained a sprained MCL against Auburn only to return to the game and help secure a top-10 victory.
Trask was limited at practice on Monday, Mullen said, but he’ll practice fully on Wednesday. It doesn’t sound like there’s any real concern about his availability for Saturday night.
“We expect him full go today,” Mullen said.
LSU defense looked great on Saturday, just like the defenses LSU has been known to have in the past. They played as a solid unit and they were flying all around the field making spectacular tackles, creating turnovers, recovering fumbles and making interceptions. They put some hits on Utah players that are still feeling the effects today. I am so proud of the way the defense has improved and the fact that now they are playing lights out like the champions they are. Go TIGERS !!!