Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. LSU Tigers Betting Preview
Where: Tiger Stadium — Baton Rouge, Louisiana
When: Saturday, September 17, 2016, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Mississippi State Bulldogs (+13.5) vs. LSU Tigers (-13.5) – view all NCAA Football odds and lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN2
Writer’s Pick: LSU Tigers (-13.5)
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Betting on the Mississippi State Bulldogs (+13.5)
Quarterback Nick Fitzgerald lit up the ground in his second start of the year, setting a new school record for rushing yards (195) to help Mississippi State register its first victory this season. He also passed for 178 yards along with a pair of touchdowns.
There’s no doubt that Fitzgerald’s ability to run with the football is above average. The stats can proved this, as the redshirt sophomore currently ranks second overall among quarterbacks in rushing yards per game (103) and is sixth in the Southeastern Conference in the same department. But the Bulldogs need him to improve on his passing game especially in this Saturday’s SEC opener versus No. 20 LSU.
Fitzgerald, who has completed 19 of 32 passes for just 178 yards, two scores and an interception on the year, has some relatively solid targets downfield in Brandon Holloway and Donald Gray. The latter had a team-high of 71 yards on five receptions, including a touchdown, in the bounce-back win over the Gamecocks last week.
Mississippi State is 7-3 SU and 6-4 ATS in its last 10 games on the road.
Betting on the LSU Tigers (-13.5)
While the quarterback situation at Mississippi State looks good for now, it’s the total opposite for the 20th-ranked LSU Tigers.
LSU head coach Les Miles is still searching for his next starter. So far, the vacant role is up for grabs between Brandon Harris and Danny Etling. The former received the nod in the first two games of the season, but has performed poorly overall. Etling, meanwhile, got his chance to shine when he replaced the struggling Harris at the start of the second quarter against Jackson State last Sunday.
The junior transfer from Purdue provided a major, yet short-lived, boost to the Tigers offense. His first drive was capped off with a 46-yard touchdown pass to his tight end Sean Smith. Etling finished the game with 100 passing yards, which all came in the second quarter, to lead the team to the 34-13 win.
That performance, though, wasn’t enough to hand Etling the starting role in this Saturday’s SEC opener versus Mississippi State. Regardless of who gets the thumbs-up behind the center, the Tigers’ offense will heavily focus on providing RB Leonard Fournette with as many touches as possible.
Fournette missed the game versus Jackson State due to an injured left ankle, but he’s expected to return and be ready to roll against the Bulldogs. The 21-year-old back was solid in the Tigers’ season-opening loss to Wisconsin, finishing with 138 yards on 23 carries.
LSU is 7-3 SU and 5-4-1 ATS in its past 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
LSU (-13.5) wins it, 33-17.
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