3 reasons why LSU lost to Billy Napier's Florida Gators in Week 12

The No.21 LSU suffered another loss on Saturday when it played Florida at the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville. The Tigers entered the game as favorites over the struggling Gators, but Billy Napier’s team staged a 27-16 upset.

The win was a soothing one for Floridanafter what has been a disappointing season. On the other hand, the defeat has left Brian Kelly’s team in disarray after recording its third straight loss.

Here's a look at three reasons LSU fell to Florida.

Three reasons LSU lost to Florida

#1, Crushed momentum

LSU suffered a disappointing blowout loss to Alabama in Week 11, which was definitive of its season. The defeat meant the Tigers won't be making the expanded College Football Playoff due to the number of teams with better records competing for the at-large spot.

The loss to the Crimson Tide crushed the team's momentum, and they needed a renewed motivation to win games.

The situation of the Tigers was a morale booster for the Gators, who were seeking redemption after what has been an awful season.

#2, Second-half performance

Having gone into halftime with a 10-10 scoreline, LSU were anticipated to return much stronger. However, the Tigers’ offense was largely limited by the Gators' defense, giving them little chance of winning the conference matchup.

The Tigers only managed to score a field goal in each of the last two quarters while Florida exerted its dominance in the game. Showcasing some brilliance in the running game, the Gators scored 17 points in the second half to seal the win and place them in the frame for a bowl game.

#3, DJ Lagway's brilliance

DJ Lagway returned to Florida's starting lineup on Saturday after a few weeks out injured. The quarterback suffered a hamstring injury in the rivalry game against Georgia in Week 10, leaving the Gators to play with their third-string quarterback, Aidan Warner.

The quarterback completed 13 of 26 passes for 226 yards and a touchdown without throwing an interception. While he struggled in some phases of the game, DJ Lagway was crucial to Florida securing the much-needed win.