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Tips, picks and best bets for LSU vs. Texas A&M

Tips, picks and best bets for LSU vs. Texas A&M

SEC football teams have made so many headlines this season that LSU and Texas A&M have somehow gone unnoticed despite being the only two teams still undefeated in league play.

With only one conference game between ranked teams on Saturday, it’s time for the No. 8 Tigers and No. 14 Aggies to take center stage.

Texas A&M will host the matchup at Kyle Field, and the Aggies have a 2.5-point home advantage. The over/under is 53.5 or 54 points.

Read on for LSU vs. LSU predictions, picks and best bets. Texas A&M.

Predictions and best bets for LSU vs. Texas A&M

Football coaches always want balance in attack. So far this season, LSU’s Brian Kelly is losing this battle.

LSU (6-1 SU, 3-4 ATS) ranks fifth in the SEC in total offense with 450 yards per game, but there is a wide discrepancy in rushing (128 yards per game) compared to passing (322 yards per game). .

Texas A&M, on the other hand, is one of the more balanced offenses in the conference. The Aggies (6-1 SU, 2-5 ATS) average 218 rushing yards per game and 186 passing yards. This pass rush is second-best in the SEC.

That offensive balance and a raucous home crowd will allow Texas A&M to run two or three more big plays than LSU. In a tight match, one good action can make the difference.

And one more thing: since 2017, when two ranked teams faced each other, the hosts have a record of 182-89 (67%).

There’s also a chance that Texas A&M doesn’t need to be balanced to win. Its rushing attack has a great matchup with LSU’s rushing defense, which has allowed 180 yards to Ole Miss and 243 yards rushing to South Carolina.

How many times can LSU survive being hurt by opponents on the ground? If Texas A&M can get control of the ball, they will score.

Sticking with that theme, Texas A&M quarterback Le’Veon Moss should do well on Saturday. He has surpassed 80.5 rushing yards in five of seven games this season. He rushed for at least 110 yards in three of four SEC games.

Analysis of the chances of winning LSU vs. Texas A&M

Why Texas A&M might win as a favorite

Top odds: -135 at BetMGM Sportsbook

Texas A&M has been trending in the right direction since its season-opening loss to Notre Dame. The Aggies have won six in a row, including two home wins against SEC teams.

The biggest reason is the running game, which ranks second in the league with an average of 218.6 yards per game. While LSU’s defense hasn’t been great, the Tigers are better against the run than they are against the pass. That said, LSU’s defense still ranks in the bottom half of the SEC’s rushing defense rankings.

If the Aggies can run the ball effectively, they will have a great chance to win because nothing humiliates a defense more than an opponent that can quickly score first downs with big runs.

Why LSU can win as an underdog

Top odds: +115 at Caesars Sportsbook

It all depends on LSU’s defense. The Tigers rank 14th out of 16 SEC teams in total defense, allowing 358.6 yards per game. They were better last week in a 34-10 win over Arkansas when they totaled 278 yards and a season-low 10 points. However, this could have been an outlier.

If LSU gets tight on defense, it will help prevent Texas A&M from making big plays – something the Aggies don’t do well already. This will help LSU keep the crowd at Kyle Field.

LSU has already won two SEC road games this season, including one against South Carolina in which it scored 33 points.