It’ll be the number 11 Florida Gators hosting the number 4 LSU Tigers this weekend in an NCAA football matchup. And while each team’s respective offensive and defensive units are absolutely solid, coaches, critics, players, and fans feel that the determining factor of the game will come down to the special teams.

The belief is supported by outcome of the last two meetings between these powerhouse schools. The last two meetings were decided by significant contributions from each side’s special teams. In the 2007 season, LSU scored the go-ahead points on a fake field goal touchdown play en route to their 28-24 victory. The year before that, the Florida Gators won 23-10 after forcing a fumble on a second half kickoff, recovering a muffed punt, and blocking a punt attempt.

This year, both teams have extremely talented (and somewhat diminutive) kickoff/punt return specialists. LSU’s Trindon Holliday (5′5″) is the second best in the country with punt returns (average 25.1 yards) and leads his team in kickoff returns (averaging 24 yards). Florida’s Brandon James (5′7″) is seventh in punt returns (20.5 yards) and 11th in kick returns (30 yards). Each returner is explosive, agile, and can change the outcome of the entire game with one move. Look for the game to balance on the shoulders of these two players.

And, as a bit of added incentive for the war between these two teams, the winner of their last two meetings went on to be victorious in the National Championship Game. Just something to think about when you watch the game this Saturday at 8 pm ET.