The Utah State Aggies and No. 5 LSU Tigers are ready to square off on the grass at Tiger Stadium. Fans can tune in to the action on SEC Network and this vital afternoon game starts at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: LSU Tigers vs. Utah State Aggies
Utah State is a big road underdog here and is currently getting 26 points from oddsmakers. If the Aggies get ahead early it would result in a worthwhile live betting opportunity. Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at a pretty-high 70.5 points.
This game’s line opened at -24. The total hasn’t changed after being initially placed at 70.5.
The Aggies have gained 0.0 units so far and are 3-1 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an O/U record of 2-2.
The Tigers are up 1.0 unit for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 3-1 ATS and have an O/U record of 4-0.
The Aggies have gone 3-1 straight up (SU) in 2019 while the Tigers are 4-0 SU.
The Aggies hope to keep it going after a 34-24 win over Colorado State last week in which Jordan Love completed just 17 passes on 33 attempts for 204 yards, two scores and two interceptions. Gerold Bright (179 rushing yards on 36 attempts) and the signal-caller Love (44 yards on 11 carries) led the running attack. Savon Scarver (three receptions, 14 yards) and Caleb Repp (three catches, 60 yards, one TD) shared the receiving duties in the win.
LSU is coming off of a 66-38 win over Vanderbilt a couple of weeks ago. The defense let the Commodores run for 145 yards on 34 rush attempts, including two rush TDs. Ke’Shawn Vaughn was outstandingfor the Commodores, recording 130 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 20 attempts. For LSU, Joe Burrow completed 25-of-34 passes for 398 yards and six touchdowns. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (106 yards on 14 rush attempts, one TD) and John Emery Jr. (51 yards on nine carries, one TD) handled the running game as Ja’Marr Chase (10 receptions, 229 yards, four TDs) and Racey McMath (five catches, 48 yards, one TD) led the receiving attack in the win.
Each of these squads has a strikingly similar (47-53) run-pass ratio on the season. The Aggies have run for 206.8 yards/game and have seven scores on the ground this year. The Tigers are logging 131.8 rush yards per game and have 11 total rushing TDs.
If the results so far this season are any indication, then it’s looking like the Aggies may hold an edge when it comes to RB efficiency. Their backfield has logged 5.3 yards per carry while the defense is allowing a YPC of 2.7 to opponents. The Tigers have ran for 4.0 yards per carry and allowed a YPC of 2.9 to opponents.
The Aggies offense has averaged 326.3 yards in the air overall and has eight passing scores so far. The Tigers have recorded a ridiculous 431.8 pass yards per outing and have 17 total pass TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, Utah State has allowed 114 rush yards and 263.5 pass yards per game. The LSU defense has given up 223.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 96.5 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Aggies have given up an ANY/A of 6.06 to opposing QBs, while the Tigers are allowing an ANY/A of 5.82.
Burrow has been more effective than Love lately. The Tigers man under center has an adjusted net yards per pass attempt 12.80 for the season and 14.11 across his last two outings while Love’s ANY/A is 6.86 and 5.47 over his last two.
Utah State Aggies vs. LSU Tigers NCAA Prediction
SU Winner: LSU, ATS Winner: Utah State, O/U: Over
Team Betting Trends
- As a team, Utah State has averaged 5.2 yards per rush attempt over its last three outings and 3.9 over its last two.
- LSU has averaged 4.0 yards per carry over its last three matchups and 4.3 over its last two.
- LSU has lost one fumble this season while Utah State has lost three.
- The Aggies offense has recorded four pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Tigers have put up eight such plays.
- The Utah State defense has allowed three pass plays of 40+ yards, while LSU has given up two such plays.
- The Utah State offense has created eight rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while LSU has created five such runs.
- The Aggies defense has allowed three rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Tigers have given up two such runs.
- The LSU D has notched 11 sacks on the year while Utah State has eight.
