The Arkansas Razorbacks and No. 1 LSU Tigers will go at it on the grass at Tiger Stadium. This conference showdown starts at 7:00 p.m. ET and ESPN is scheduled to televise the action. These teams met a year ago with the final result being a 24-17 victory for LSU.
Betting Preview: LSU Tigers vs. Arkansas Razorbacks
LSU has been tabbed as the heavy favorite and is currently giving up 44 points to Arkansas. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 69 points, and if one school finds paydirt in the early stages, it’ll likely generate a decent in-game betting scenario.
The game’s total has shifted down after originally being set at 71. The opening spread (-44) has remained firm.
The underwhelming Razorbacks are 2-8 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 4.2 units so far. They’ve been a decent under bet and have posted an O/U record of 4-6.
The Tigers have been a nice surprise for moneyline bettors this season, gaining 5.8 units. They’re 6-3-1 ATS and own an O/U record of 7-3.
The perfect Razorbacks are only 2-8 straight up (SU), including 0-6 SU against SEC opponents. The Tigers are 10-0 SU overall and 6-0 SU in conference play.
The Razorbacks hope to bounce back after a 45-19 loss to Western Kentucky on November 9. The passing attack wasn’t where it needed to be as the Razorbacks completed 9-of-26 passes for 87 yards and two interceptions. K.J. Jefferson went six-for-15 for 60 yards and one interception while John Stephen Jones completed three-of-10 for 27 yards and one interception. Jefferson (32 yards on 16 rush attempts, one TD) also spearheaded the ground attack and was complemented by Rakeem Boyd (185 yards on eight carries, two TDs). Treylon Burks (five receptions, 59 yards) and Mike Woods (two catches, 16 yards) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
The LSU Tigers take the field on Saturday after just getting a 58-37 win over Ole Miss. The defense let the Rebels rush for 402 yards on 44 attempts, including four rush TDs. John Rhys Plumlee was a force to be reckoned with, recording 212 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 21 attempts for Ole Miss. For LSU, Joe Burrow completed 32-of-42 passes for 489 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (172 rushing yards on 23 attempts, one TD) handled the running attack while Justin Jefferson (nine receptions, 112 yards, two TDs) and Ja’Marr Chase (eight catches, 227 yards, three TDs) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
Arkansas has run the ball on 46.5 percent of its offensive possessions this year while LSU has a rush percentage of 49.2 percent. The Razorbacks have rushed for 148.7 yards per game (including 114 per game against Southeastern opponents) and have 13 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Tigers are logging 165.7 rush yards per game (177.2 in conference) and have 22 total rushing TDs.
If 2019 results can translate to this game, then it’s looking like the Razorbacks might be the more disruptive team in the trenches, as their offensive line has yielded just 32 sacks while the D-line logged 26 sacks. The Tigers offensive line has allowed 35 sacks and their defense has sacked opposing QBs on just 34 occasions.
The Razorbacks offense has averaged 204.8 yards in the air overall (184.8 per game versus conference opposition) and has 11 passing TDs so far. The Tigers have put up a superb 390.3 pass yards per contest (374 in the SEC) and have 38 total pass scores.
Defensively, Arkansas has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 225.4 yards and throw for 221.3 yards per game. The LSU D has allowed 237 yards per game to opposing passers and 130.8 yards per game on the ground. The Tigers are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.72 to opponents, while the Razorbacks have allowed a 7.56 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Jefferson is up to 60 yards on the year. The signal-caller has connected on 40 percent of his 15 attempts with zero passing scores and one interception. He has a -0.24 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 1.47 over the last two outings.
Look for a balanced attack offensively from Arkansas in this one. Rakeem Boyd (891 rushing yards, seven rush TDs on the year), Treylon Burks (357 receiving yards) and K.J. Jefferson (32 rush yards, one rush TD, 0 receiving yards) have all played significant roles lately.
In the home locker room, Joe Burrow has completed 237-of-302 passes for 3,294 yards, 35 TDs and six INTs. Burrow’s ANY/A stands at 11.29 for the season and 10.11 over his past two outings.
As a trio, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson have combined for 932 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns over the last couple of games.
Arkansas Razorbacks vs. LSU Tigers NCAA Tip
SU Winner: LSU, ATS Winner: Arkansas, O/U: Over
Betting Trends
- LSU has lost four fumbles this season while Arkansas has let six get away.
- The LSU defense has notched 21 sacks on the year while Arkansas has 18.
- As a team, Arkansas has averaged 6.5 yards per carry across its last three contests and 8.2 over its last two.
- LSU has averaged 4.6 yards per carry over its last three matchups and 4.9 over its past two.
- Over its last three contests, LSU is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Arkansas’ previous game was set at 51. The over cashed in the team’s 45-19 loss to Western Kentucky.
- Over its last three contests, Arkansas is 0-3 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for LSU’s last match was set at 66.5. The over cashed in the 58-37 win over Ole Miss.
- Arkansas has lost nine of its last 10 games SU, with a 21-point victory over Colorado State on September 14th representing the only win over that span.
