The Florida Gators are trying to regroup following an embarrassing loss to the then unranked South Florida Bulls at home, thus causing the Gators to fall out of the top 25 (for some voters). However, things don’t get any easier for DJ Lagway and company as Billy Napier brings his hot seat and his team to Death Valley to face Brian Kelly and the No. 3 ranked LSU Tigers. The hosts opened as 6.5 point favorites but are now laying the touchdown plus the hook, but could this be a spot where the Gators bounce back after a bad loss? Probably not, but let’s find out what our favorite picks will be and how to attack this SEC matchup.
Go to Betting News to check out what else I’ve got on the slate for Week 3, and view the latest odds at the best online sportsbooks.
Florida Gators vs. #3 LSU Tigers NCAA Football Insights
DJ Lagway and the Gators were caught looking ahead to this LSU matchup
After shutting out Long Island at home 55-0, the Gators did not show up against South Florida. From the jump they could not get anything going offensively, converted just 33.3% of their third downs (4/12), and had double digit penalties as well, with over 100 penalty yards. Lagway threw a pick for the game’s only turnover, and straight up, the Bulls went into the swamp and beat the Gators. Nothing more, nothing less. Now, Florida has to face a national title contender on the road in their conference opener. Things also don’t get better next week, as the Gators have to go to face No. 5 Miami on the road. What were these Florida schedulers thinking?
The Tigers have already faced a tough opponent by going on the road to face then No. 4 ranked Clemson, beating the other Tigers 17-10 in Week 1. LSU out-gained Clemson by nearly 100 total yards despite losing the turnover battle. Clemson could not get anything going on the ground, totaling just 31 rushing yards as a team, however Klubnik threw the ball 38 times trying to catch up. They came out a little flat against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, only scoring 23 points and two touchdowns, but a win is a win. At home, they should come to play and leave everything on the field against the Gators.
Matchup Information – Florida vs LSU – September 13
- Venue & Location: Tiger Stadium (Baton Rouge, LA)
- Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
- Kick Off: 7:30 p.m. Eastern
- Broadcast: ABC
Florida vs. LSU Betting Odds
Odds are courtesy of BetOnline, one of our favorite online sportsbooks, as of September 11, 2025 at 1:21 p.m. eastern. Sign up today with Promo Code BNBOL55 for a 55% deposit bonus up.
Spread
- Florida +7.5 (-118)
- LSU -7.5 (-102)
Moneyline
- Florida +237
- LSU -290
Total
- Over 48.5 (+110)
- Under 48.5 (-130)
There was hope surrounding the Gators going into this season, and some fine fellows I know even had some Lagway Heisman tickets. I never understood the hype considering Billy Napier was still employed, and my suspicions were confirmed in Week 2 against the South Florida Bulls. Maybe Byrum Brown is just the truth, but I just don’t think Florida will be a College Football Playoff team this year.
LSU… they are quite the opposite. This team is the real deal, and I have lots of faith in them going forward this season.
Florida Gators vs. #3 LSU Tigers NCAA Football Picks and Predictions
Garrett Nussmeier has completed 68.4% of his passes for 469 yards in two games
Florida vs. LSU Prediction: LSU Wins & Covers, Over 48.5
Best Bet: LSU Team Total Over 27.5 (-114) BetOnline
This is honestly a no brainer for me, and I was embarrassed for the Tigers that this was the line. Look, the Gators shutout the Sharks, no surprises there, but look at what they gave up in their loss to the Bulls.
Florida allowed 391 yards of total offense, did not force any turnovers and only had one sack. While the LSU offense hasn’t been lights out so far this season, I can certainly see them going for 400 total yards of offense and at least four touchdowns. Assuming we make our extra points, that’s all we need to cash this team total. As I pointed out above, the Gators have another top five opponent next week as they go to No. 5 Miami, so they find themselves in another look ahead spot, even though this team can’t afford it.
Ultimately, this could be a break out game for Nussmeier to really separate himself from the rest of the quarterbacks in the country. He already out played Klubnik, and he’ll get a shot at Simmons, Sellers, Pavia, Simpson and Mateer later in the season. Look for Nussmeier to outplay DJ Lagway this weekend, resulting in plenty of points for the Tigers. And by doing so, LSU will stamp themselves the team to beat in the SEC (along with whoever wins in Neyland).
Give me LSU to score plenty and cover this team total with ease, as I see them putting up 30+.
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