LSU at Arkansas Betting Line

The top-ranked LSU Tigers will host the third-ranked Arkansas Razorback with the SEC championship game on the line on Friday. An LSU win would ensure the SEC title game against Georgia, but a loss would put both Arkansas and Alabama back in the hunt. If Arkansas were to win on Friday, a three-way tie atop the SEC West would forge between the Tigers, the Crimson Tide and the Razorbacks. In this scenario, the team with the best BCS ranking would go on to play Georgia. Arkansas has had Georgia’s number the last few meetings in this series as they have won three of the last four including a 31-23 home victory last season. Each of the last six meetings has been decided by eight points or less, and two went to overtime.

According to the college football odds for Week 13, there is a line of LSU -13 over Arkansas.

LSU

Without a doubt, the top-ranked Tigers have been the best team in college football this season. They had one of the toughest schedules and came out of it without a blemish to their record. Only one teams stands in their way when they face Arkansas Friday. They have an impressive record of 11-0 and 7-0 in the SEC conference. They didn’t let up when they faced Ole Miss last week and clearly dominated them for a 52-3 thrashing on the road.

This game was such a lopsided affair that the Tigers decided to kneel four straight times on a drive that started with more than five minutes remaining in the game. LSU would dominate the game from the word go and would build a 35-3 lead by halftime and would finish the game out-gaining the Rebels 458-195. The Tigers coasted the entire game and they toyed with their opponents as they were able to do whatever they want on the ground, rushing for 353 yards. Running back Alfred Blue played an excellent game rushing for 74 yards on just four carries while Spencer Ware chipped in 70 yards and a score. Meanwhile Jordan Jefferson made his second straight start at quarterback and played a pretty solid game as well, completing all seven of his passes for 88 yards and a touchdown.

LSU ranks 2nd in the country in total defense allowing just 247.9 yards/game. They give up just 89.6 yards on the ground and 158.3 through the air. The Tigers are just 73rd in total offense with 377.1 yards/game, but their rushing attack that produces 209.5 yards/game have been wearing down opposing defenses. They have a three-headed monster at running back in Ware rushing for 650 yards and seven Touchdowns, Michael Ford with 625 yards and seven Touchdowns and Blue with 445 yards and six Touchdowns. Since returning from his suspension, QB Jefferson is completing 65.9 percent of his passes for 446 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions.

Arkansas

Despite slipping under the radar for much of the season, the Razorbacks find themselves in a very favorable position of not only fighting for the SEC title, but for the National title as well. Arkansas has a record of 10-1 and 6-1 in the SEC conference and the team currently ranks 3rd in the AP and BCS polls. A win over LSU would complete an upset and have them ahead of the Tigers and Alabama. But they will need a very impressive showing to complete the upset. Despite their only loss coming against then no. three Alabama on September 24th, they should feel really pleased with the position they are in.

Arkansas has been on a seven game winning streak after that loss against Alabama. The win streak includes a 44-17 dominant performance against Mississippi State last weekend. Quarterback Tyler Wilson continued his stellar play completing a school-record 32 passes while throwing for 365 yards and three touchdowns. They put forth their most impressive defensive output of the season out-gaining the Bulldogs 539-211. The Razorbacks stormed for a 30-0 scoring run after Mississippi State closed within 14-10 in the second quarter.

The Razorbacks have the kind of offense that could potentially give LSU fits. They rank 20th in the country in total offense with 463.3 yards/game, including 10th in passing with 316.9 yards/game. Arkansas also has an underrated stop unit, one that ranks 43rd in the FBS in total defense allowing just 360.3 yards/game. Wilson is completing 63.1 percent of his passes for 3,215 yards with 21 touchdowns and only five interceptions. Johnson leads all rushers with 606 yards and three scores. The Razorbacks have one of the most talented receiving corps in the country, led by Wright with 61 receptions for 1,002 yards and 10 Touchdowns.

Betting Trends

The Tigers are 5-0 ATS in their last five conference games, but just 5-13 ATS in their last 18 games as a home favorite of 10.5 or more.

The Razorbacks are 16-5 ATS in their last 21 conference games, but 0-4 ATS in their last four road games.

Arkansas is 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings with LSU, and 4-1 ATS in their last five road meetings.