NO. 9 FLORIDA (4-1) AT NO. 1 LOUISIANA STATE (5-0)

* Kickoff: Saturday 5 p.m.

* TV: Channel 2.

* Line: Louisiana State by 9.

* Florida update: The Gators are hoping for a repeat of last season, when their only loss was against Auburn. Last week’s 20-17 loss would be a distant memory if they could get back in the national title race with a road victory against the nation’s No. 1 team. To do so, the offense will need to find a threat other than quarterback Tim Tebow, who leads the team with 1,297 passing yards and 433 rushing yards. A solid offensive line has given up only two sacks and the defense is giving up only 63 rushing yards a game.

* Louisiana State update: The Tigers are playing as the No. 1 team for the first time since 1959. They are No. 1 in the polls and also in defense, limiting opponents to 174.6 yards a game -- only 39 on the ground. They have two shutouts and have given up double-digits in points in only one game: a 28-16 victory over No. 11 South Carolina. They have won 12 consecutive games and 16 in a row at home. They are trying to get to 6-0 for the first time since 1973.

* Story line: Florida is by no means eliminated from the national championship race, but this is a must win if a repeat is in the future.

* The pick: Florida. Losing a game they shouldn’t have will serve as motivation. And the last time LSU played as a No. 1 team, it lost to Kentucky, 14-13, in 1959.

-- Peter Yoon