Mark it down now: The Florida Gators’ chances of winning back-to-back national championships will end on Oct. 10 in Baton Rouge. Yes, with the news that All-SEC reciever Brandon LaFell is returning to LSU after all, I predict a Tigers victory that day over the Gators, one that will keep Florida out of the 2009 title game – OK, I know UF got in this year with one loss and could face LSU again in the SEC championship.
You can bet soon on ‘09 NCAA football futures at WagerWeb.com, and LSU and Florida both will be among the top-five national title favorites, with UF the likely lowest-priced team. And while the Gators got a boost with the returns of Tim Tebow and Brandon Spikes, the loss of Percy Harvin will be felt. LSU, meanwhile, got surprising news when LaFell decided to come back. He had declared for the draft but didn’t sign with an agent, and he changed his mind about school within the 72-hour window allowed.
“The news of Brandon coming back to school is big for our football team,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “His contributions to our football program have been very significant and I’m glad we are going to get another year with him.”
LaFell had 63 catches for 929 yards and eight touchdowns last season, numbers that are pretty good considering LSU’s uncertainty at quarterback. He was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection and has led the Tigers in receiving the last two seasons. He has a chance to finish in the top three in LSU history in all three categories – receptions, touchdowns and yards – by the end of his senior season.
LaFell joins tailback Charles Scott and offensive tackle Ciron Black as a trio of juniors who elected to return for their senior season. That will make LSU the overwhelming favorite in the SEC West over an Alabama team that lost some key players to the draft and graduation.
LSU did lose defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois to the draft, however. And 2008 opening day starting quarterback Andrew Hatch is transferring back to Harvard, but Hatch had fallen to third on the depth chart.
NCAA Betting at WagerWeb.com
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