Florida at LSU Odds

Written by Jack Jones

The top-ranked LSU Tigers are set to host the 17th-ranked Florida Gators Saturday down in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Tiger Stadium will surely be rocking when these two SEC rivals collide. If you are interested in this game, then tune in to CBS at 3:30 EST Saturday afternoon. The Tigers have won 13 straight at home since losing to top-ranked Florida 13-3 in 2009. This will be the fifth time in six meetings that at least one of these teams is ranked in the Top 5.

The spread set for this SEC showdown is LSU -13.5 over Florida with a total set of 41.5 points.

LSU

The Tigers remain atop the BCS standings for a second straight week after thumping Kentucky 35-7 last Saturday. Jordan Jefferson returned from a suspension and scored on his first play, a fourth down plunge from just outside the goal line to put the Tigers ahead 7-0. Jarrett Lee remains the starting quarterback, but head coach Les Miles plans to use Jefferson with a few new wrinkles in the offense. “We will use Jefferson in a variety of ways,” Miles said. “At different times in the season, we will need every skill and every collective attribute of our team.

LSU (5-0, 2-0 SEC) has already beaten three ranked teams and they clearly deserve their No. 1 ranking. Lee has been efficient, completing 64 of 108 passes for 793 yards and seven touchdowns to one interception. Spencer Ware leads all rushers with 323 yards (4.0/carry) with three touchdowns, but Michael Ford has been the more effective back with 322 yards (5.3/carry) and six scores. Rueben Randle (19 receptions, 319 yards, three TD) and Odell Beckham (20, 268, two TD) have been Lee’s favorite targets.

The Tigers have posted tremendous numbers defensively despite playing such a tough schedule. LSU ranks 8th in the country in total defense (262.2 yards/game), including 3rd against the run (60.4 yards/game). The Gators love to pound the rock, and the Tigers will be prepared for it. The numbers haven’t been outstanding offensively for LSU. They rank just 87th in total offense (349.6 yards/game), and they’ve clearly been relying on their stop unit to this point.

Florida

The Gators opened their season with four straight victories, outscoring opponents 161-36 in the process. Florida (4-1, 2-1 SEC) got their first big test last week, and they failed miserably. Alabama put a beat down on the Gators 38-10 in Gainesville, outgaining them 366-222 while forcing two turnovers, one that was returned 45 yards for a touchdown. Florida quarterback John Brantley threw a 65-yard touchdown pass to Andre Debose on the game’s opening play, but he was knocked out with a right leg injury in the second quarter.

Jeff Driskel will be taking Brantley’s place as starting quarterback against LSU. The highly touted freshman did not perform well in spot duty against Alabama, completing just 2 of 6 passes for 14 yards. He also fumbled a snap and was sacked twice as the Gators managed only two first downs with him under center. For Driskell to have any chance of being successful this Saturday, the Gators are going to have to reestablish their running game. Florida managed just 15 rushing yards against Alabama after coming into that game leading the SEC in rushing (259.0 yards/game). To their credit, the Crimson Tide are ranked No. 1 in the country against the run (39.6 yards/game).

The Gators also allowed 226 rushing yards to Alabama last week, the total amount they had given up through their first four games combined. Florida still ranks 7th in the nation in total defense (258.6 yards/game). They are 49th in total offense (413.8 yards/game), including 21st in rushing offense (210.2 yards/game). Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps have combined for 739 yards and six rushing touchdowns for the Gators this year. Rainey also has a team-high 14 receptions for 246 yards and two scores.

Betting Trends

The Gators are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings with LSU, and 6-0 ATS in their last 6 road meetings. The road team is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings in this series, and the Under is 11-4 in the last 15 meetings.

The Tigers are only 8-17 ATS in their last 25 home games, and 8-20 ATS in their last 28 games as a favorite of 10.5 or more. The Gators are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games following a S.U. loss, and 15-5 ATS in their last 20 road games.

Stop by this Saturday for college football advice from expert handicapper Jack Jones. All of his plays come with detailed analysis so you won’t be betting anything blindly.

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