LSU at Alabama Betting Lines

In what appears to be the game of the year so far in the young college football season, top rank LSU Tigers will travel to face 2nd seeded Alabama Crimson Tide this Saturday. Not only is the SEC Championship at stake, but this game also has National championship implications for both teams. With both squads coming of a bye, the deciding factor might just be on the coaches. Both Les Miles and Nick Saban have an extra week to prepare. LSU beat Alabama 24-21 at home last year, and the Tigers have now won six of the last eight meetings in this SEC West rivalry.

According to early college football lines there is a spread of Alabama -5 over LSU and a total set of 43 points.

ALABAMA

Alabama have been cruising along beating everyone in his path this season. They have a record of 8-0 and 5-0 in the SEC conference. Each of their wins has been by at least 16 points and they have beaten three ranked teams in the process. They will face one of their toughest challenges though when they face top ranked LSU this Saturday. They have the distinct advantage of having this critical match at home.

Alabama is coming off a 37-6 home victory over Tennessee. Surprisingly, they were tied 6-6 with the Volunteers at halftime before delivering a massive beat down against the Volunteers after halftime. The Crimson Tide certainly played distracted in the opening game, but whatever Saban said at halftime clearly worked. A.J. McCarron finished with 284 passing yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for another score. Heisman Trophy candidate Trent Richardson rushed for only 77 yards, but he did have two touchdowns on the game.

The Crimson Tide ranks 1st in the country in total defense with 180.5 yards/game and 1st in scoring defense with 6.9 points/game as well. They are 22nd in total offense with 457.7 yards/game and 11th in scoring offense with 39.4 points/game. McCarron has played well at quarterback for Alabama. He has completed 67.0 percent of his passes for 1,664 yards with 10 touchdowns to three interceptions. Running back Trent Richardson has rushed for 989 yards and a massive 17 touchdowns. Marquise Maze leads all receivers with 39 grabs for 482 yards and a score. McCaron’s playmaking has certainly been a highlight as he has hit eight different receivers for at least a touchdown.

LSU

LSU have certainly played well enough to deserve their number one spot in the SEC conference. They have beaten five ranked teams in their run of 8-0 and 5-0 in the SEC conference. They bulldozed their way to the top as they beat all their opponents in dominating fashion. The smallest margin of victory they had were 13 points in two separate occasions. They have now mustered eight straight double digit victories since the start of the season, a school record.

LSU ranks 4th in the country in total defense with 251.4 yards/game and 3rd in scoring defense with 11.5 points/game. Although they are just 80th in total offense with 372.1 yards/game, they more than make up for it with an impressive 12th in scoring offense with 39.3 points/game. Turnovers, field position and red zone opportunities have been the bread and butter of this team and has played as well as anyone all season. QB Jarrett Lee is completing 63.2 percent of his passes for 1,250 yards and 13 touchdowns to one interception. He has simply refused to make mistakes. Ware and Michael Ford have combined for 953 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Randle leads all receivers with 33 catches for 638 yards and seven scores.

Betting Trends

The road team is 11-3-1 ATS in the last 15 meetings, and the Tigers are 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven meetings in Alabama.

LSU is 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall, but just 3-12 ATS in their last 15 November games.

Alabama is 5-0 ATS in their last five games overall, but only 2-5 ATS in their last seven games following a bye week.