LSU Tigers vs. Texas A&M Aggies Preview
Where: Kyle Field – College Station, Texas
When: Thursday, November 24, 7:30 PM ET
Line: LSU Tigers (-5) at Texas A&M Aggies (+5) – view all NCAA Football odds and lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Writer’s Pick: LSU Tigers (-5)
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Betting on the LSU Tigers (-5)
The honeymoon is over for Ed Orgeron in Baton Rouge. After going 3-0 in their first three games under the interim coach, the LSU Tigers have now dropped two of their last three, with home losses to Alabama (10-0) and Florida (16-10). Coach O is almost certain to vacate the post after this season, which means this will likely be his last regular season game in charge.
The same offensive deficiencies which plagued the Les Miles era once again reared their ugly head. Despite outgaining the Gators by 150 yards, they scored just 10 points and committed two turnovers. LSU did manage to get 219 yards on the ground against a tough Florida front, but with Leonard Fournette (12 carries for 40 yards) not at 100 percent, it wasn’t good enough.
However, LSU’s chances of getting its ground-based offense back to its average of 232 rushing yards per game should be much better against Texas A&M. The Aggies defense, while certainly improved, is still not at the level of an Alabama or a Florida against the run. A&M is 8th in the conference, giving up almost 180 rushing yards per game.
Meanwhile, the Tiger defense has the ability to make life very difficult for A&M quarterback Jake Hubenak, who has taken over for the injured Trevor Knight. Not only can the Tigers take away the run game – they are giving up just 3.2 yards per carry, 2nd in the SEC – they have also given up just six passing touchdowns all year, also 2nd in the conference behind Alabama.
LSU is 2-0 straight up and against the spread in College Station and a perfect 5-0 SU and ATS overall since Texas A&M became part of the SEC.
Betting on the Texas A&M Aggies (+5)
Texas A&M’s season has gone down the drain once again. The Aggies (8-3, 4-7 ATS) have lost their last three conference games, including the last two against Mississippi State (35-28) and Ole Miss (29-28) without starting quarterback Trevor Knight.
Quarterback Jake Hubenak has averaged 218 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in each of his two SEC starts. However, the Aggies running game lost a lot with Knight’s ability to make plays with his feet. A&M averaged less than four yards per carry in their losses to the Mississippi teams.
With Hubenak and the A&M offense likely to struggle, it’ll be up to the Aggies defense to make plays. Texas A&M has forced 24 turnovers, tied for the most in the conference. Their fierce pass rush – in theory – can get after the always shaky Danny Etling. But that pass rush didn’t do much against freshman Ole Miss quarterback Shea Patterson, who threw for 338 yards in his first career start.
The Aggies have been completely unreliable against the spread, as they’ve gone 0-7 ATS in their last seven games. However, six of those games were as favorites.
Writer’s Prediction
LSU (-5) runs all over the Aggies for a 28-17 win.
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