GAINESVILLE -- Statistical measures for Florida's offense are down compared to last season except for one place -- maybe the most important -- in the fourth-quarter scoring column.

Although junior quarterback Tim Tebow and his offense have struggled at times this season, he and his teammates have been at their best in the fourth quarter. The Gators are outscoring their opponents by a combined 54-23 in the fourth quarter this season.

Performing in the clutch against No. 4 LSU (4-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) could be the key to victory Saturday night for 11th-ranked Florida (4-1, 2-1), which needs a win to maintain its national championship hopes. In the 2007 heavyweight matchup between Florida and LSU, the Tigers dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring the Gators 14-0 to rally for a 28-24 victory.

''They beat us last year in a game we felt we should have won,'' Tebow said. ``It was really hard to take because we thought we played extremely well that game.''

Although coach Urban Meyer has recognized his offense's inconsistency this season, he also has noticed its elevated play in the fourth quarter. Earlier this week, Meyer credited his quarterback for the positive trend.

''It's almost like you feel it building on the sidelines,'' Meyer said. ``I think it's the focus, attention to detail and having a veteran quarterback back there.''

After winning the Heisman Trophy in 2007, Tebow entered the 2008 season determined to improve his passing game in the fourth quarter. He has done just that. Tebow has passed for 100 or more yards in the fourth quarter twice this year, something he didn't do all of last season.

Last week against Arkansas, Tebow completed 5 of 5 passes in the fourth quarter for 83 yards and a touchdown. In a loss to Ole Miss, Tebow passed for 131 yards (11 of 15 attempts). In 2007, playing at Tigers Stadium in Baton Rouge, La., Tebow completed just two passes in the fourth quarter.

''We weren't able to make a few plays in the end to win it, but we're going to be excited and ready to go and [Ben Hill Griffin Stadium] will have a lot of juice,'' Tebow said.

One possible reason for Tebow's elevated play in the fourth quarter this season is because he has had enough ''juice'' left in his legs to deliver strong and accurate throws downfield.

Florida has limited Tebow's fourth-quarter carries this season.

In 2007, Tebow carried the ball 54 times for 303 yards in the fourth quarter. This season, he is well off that pace (11 carries for 33 yards).

''It's a survival,'' Meyer said. ``The ability to stay healthy is going to be key.''

Florida's coaching staff is hoping that a fresher Tebow in the fourth quarter will equate to more comebacks. Consider these statistical comparisons as proof that the plan is working:

In the entire 2007 season, Tebow completed 34 of 64 passes (53.1 percent) for 382 yards and three touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Through just five games this season, Tebow has completed 25 of 35 passes (71.4 percent) for 342 yards and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

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