Don't expect No. 11 UF to pile up rushing yards this weekend like it did in Saturday's 38-7 win at Arkansas.
The Gators tallied 278 yards on the ground against the Razorbacks, their most ever in a Southeastern Conference game under coach Urban Meyer. But that was against an Arkansas squad that ranks last in the SEC in rushing yards allowed.
Yards will be tougher to come by against No. 4 LSU on Saturday, as the Tigers are allowing fewer than 70 yards per game.
To make matters worse for UF, running back Emmanuel Moody is out for the second week with a high ankle sprain, and receiver Percy Harvin is also dealing with an ankle injury. He sat out during the Gators' practice on Sunday and had his foot in a boot, but Meyer said he was just sore and should be ready to play.
Much of the rushing load could fall to Chris Rainey against LSU, an idea that sounds just fine to running backs coach Kenny Carter.
"Chris is probably the best natural back that I've been around," said Carter, who cited Rainey's balance and ability to change direction between the tackles as reasons why.
"He has no fear, and it's hard for young guys to be that way very early, but he can do all those things. That's what makes him exceptional."
MEYER READY TO ANTE UP: Meyer has built a reputation for calling trick plays and gambling a bit on fake punts during his coaching career, but LSU coach Les Miles has him beat in that department.
Last year, Miles had his team run a fake field goal and converted five fourth downs that led to crucial scores in his team's 28-24 win over UF.
Trailing Auburn by one point a few weeks later, he called for a pass play with just seconds left that led to a winning touchdown when an incompletion would likely have run out the clock and not left enough time for a field goal.
"You better cover your bases, and I think that's good coaching," Meyer said. "People say the same about us a little bit, that we like to 'roll the bones' a bit and be aggressive in the big games. You play the game to win, and obviously they do that."
INJURIES: The Gators will get several injured players back for this weekend's showdown with LSU.
Meyer said Monday that running back Kestahn Moore (hamstring), guard Marcus Gilbert (ankle), linebacker Ryan Stamper (ankle) and safety Will Hill (hamstring) are probable.
