One winning streak is going to reach nine games as Head Coach Nick Saban and the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide square off against Coach Ed Orgeron and the top-ranked LSU Tigers. CBS is scheduled to have the TV rights and this crucial daytime game gets underway at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: LSU Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
In this Saturday Southeastern matchup, Alabama has been tabbed as the favorite and the team’s currently giving up 7 points. The Tigers are also receiving +210 moneyline odds while the Crimson Tide are -270. There should be multiple good in-game betting possibilities for this showdown, and Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 64.5 points.
The profitable Tigers have gained 4.0 units so far and are 5-2-1 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U record of 5-3.
The Crimson Tide are up 1.0 unit this season. The team is 4-4 ATS and has an even O/U record of 4-4.
The Tigers are 8-0 straight up (SU), including 4-0 SU against SEC opponents. The Crimson Tide are 8-0 SU overall and 5-0 SU in conference play.
The Tigers are looking to stay unbeaten following a 23-20 victory over Auburn on October 26 where Joe Burrow completed 32-of-42 passes for 321 yards, along with one TD and an interception. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (136 yards on 26 rush attempts, one TD) and the signal-caller Burrow (31 yards on 13 carries, one TD) led the ground attack. Ja’Marr Chase (eight receptions, 123 yards) and Justin Jefferson (seven catches, 60 yards) shared the receiving duties in the win.
Alabama is coming off of a 48-7 win over Arkansas. The defense allowed the Razorbacks to rush for 106 yards on 30 attempts. Rakeem Boyd was a bright spot in the defeat, recording 50 rushing yards on 12 attempts, along with 55 yards on four catches for Arkansas. As a group, the Tide collectively completed 24-of-30 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns. Mac Jones went 18-for-22 for 235 yards and three touchdowns while Taulia Tagovailoa was six-of-eight for 45 yards. Brian Robinson Jr. (67 yards on 13 rush attempts) and Najee Harris (86 yards on 13 carries, two TDs) handled the running game as Jerry Jeudy (seven receptions, 103 yards, two TDs) and Jaylen Waddle (five catches, 39 yards) led the receiving corps in the win.
In terms of offensive play-calling, each of these teams has a similar run-pass ratio on the season. LSU’s run the ball on 49.1 percent of its offensive possessions while Alabama has a rush percentage of 50.9. The Tigers have produced 158.3 rush yards per game (including 168 per game against Southeastern opponents) and have 17 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Tide are averaging 168 rush yards per game (141 in conference) and have 16 total rushing TDs.
The Tigers offense has logged a ridiculous 377.6 yards/contest through the air overall (339.8 per game versus conference opposition) and has 30 passing TDs so far. The Tide have recorded 338.6 pass yards per outing (344 in the SEC) and have 32 total pass scores.
Defensively, LSU has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 97.9 yards and pass for 217.5 yards per game. The Alabama defense has allowed 180.1 yards per game to opposing passers and 127.4 yards per game to opposing runners. The Tide are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 3.8 to opponents, while the Tigers have allowed a 4.90 ANY/A.
Offensively, Burrow has already amassed 2,478 passing yards on the year, and has completed 79 percent of his 228 attempts with 26 passing scores and only four interceptions. He’s got a sparkling 11.43 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 8.31 over the last two outings.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson have combined to account for 575 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns over the last couple of outings.
Mac Jones has completed 32-of-43 passes for 400 yards, four TDs and one INT for Alabama. His ANY/A sits at 10.12 for the season and 10.50 over his last two games.
We’re expecting the Tide to control tempo by feeding the ball-carriers early and often. Along with WR Jerry Jeudy (641 receiving yards, eight receiving TDs this season), Najee Harris (537 rush yards, three rush TDs, 123 receiving yards, four receiving TDs) and Brian Robinson Jr. (316 rush yards, three rush TDs) have delivered significant production to the Crimson Tide’s recent offensive gameplans.
When these two schools faced one another a year ago, Alabama knocked LSU off handily 29-0.
LSU Tigers at Alabama Crimson Tide Free Pick
SU Winner: Alabama, ATS Winner: Alabama, O/U: Under
Team Betting Trends
- The Over/Under for LSU’s previous game was set at 59. The under cashed in the team’s 23-20 victory over Auburn.
- LSU, as a team, has averaged 5.2 yards per rush attempt over its past three contests and 3.8 over its last two.
- Alabama has averaged 4.6 yards per carry over its last three matchups and 4.4 over its past two.
- Alabama has lost two fumbles this season while LSU has lost three.
- In its last three matchups, LSU is 1-1-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Alabama’s last game was 56. The under cashed in that 48-7 triumph over Arkansas.
- In its last three matchups, Alabama is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- Both passing attacks have produced 11 pass plays of 40+ yards. The Tigers have have made 20 pass plays of 30+ yards while the Crimson Tide have created 19 such plays.
- The LSU defense has allowed two pass plays of 40+ yards, while Alabama has given up one such play.
- The LSU offense has created 11 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Alabama has created seven such runs.
- The Tigers defense has allowed four rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Crimson Tide have given up 12 such runs.
- The LSU defense has sacked opposing QBs 20 times this year. Alabama has registered 19 sacks.
