Florida Gators

Florida Gators Football: Shoving Match Breaks Out Before LSU Game

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Florida Gators and LSU Tigers are preparing for a clash of the college football titans. A shoving match broke out prior to the beginning of the game.

The Florida Gators football team should be playing this game against the LSU Tigers at home. The rivalry is fiery enough as is, but the fact that the Gators had a home game stolen from them has elevated tensions.

Before the game between Florida and LSU could even begin, the two sides broke out in a shoving war.

The Gators were supposed to host the Tigers at The Swamp on October 8, 2016. Hurricane Matthew caused the game to be postponed, rescheduled, and relocated, which is why Florida has traveled to Death Valley.

Per Joshua Thornton of The Daily Reveille, the Gators and Tigers engaged in a shoving match prior to Saturday’s highly-anticipated encounter.

Fight breaks out between #LSU-Florida players.

Leonard Fournette and a Florida assistant coach shove each other. pic.twitter.com/wFZwyW1nU7

— Joshua Thornton (@JoshuaThornton_) November 19, 2016

Tempers are flaring and the passion is already shining through.

Florida currently leads the all-time head-to-head series with LSU 31-28-3. The Tigers have won three consecutive games in the rivalry, however, including a 35-28 victory in 2015 and a 30-27 win in 2014.

The fact that the past two games have been decided by a single possession is reason enough for tensions to be high.

The fact that this was meant to be a home game for Florida only adds to it.

LSU caught what may be a break in the form of superstar running back Leonard Fournette being ruled out. It was a shocking announcement that came mere minutes before the start of the biggest game of both teams’ season.

Ross Dellenger of The Advocate was one of the many to report Fournette’s absence.

#LSU RB Leonard Fournette is not expected to play against the #Gators, a source confirms.

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) November 19, 2016

That’s a massive development.

Fournette not playing wouldn’t guarantee a win for Florida, as fellow running back Derrius Guice is bordering on unstoppable in 2016. Through nine games, he has 881 yards, nine touchdowns, and a ridiculous average of 8.7 yards per carry.

Tensions are high, availabilities are in question, and the SEC East is on the line for the Gators.

Just another Saturday in the SEC.