Alabama Crimson Tide at LSU Tigers
Saturday, 11/6/2010, 3:30 PM EST; TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: Alabama -6.5
Current Betting Line: Alabama -6.5
Opening Total: 44
Current Total: 44
Current Moneyline: Alabama -255 / LSU +215
Alabama has had more than a week to prepare for SEC West rival LSU and the team is focused on a fast start. “As an offense, as a defense, we have to get off to a better start,” said wide receiver Julio Jones. “We have to practice how we want to play.” This will be the 74th meeting between the two schools in a series that the Crimson Tide leads 45-23-5, including an impressive 25-8-2 record in Baton Rouge. “This team has a great opportunity in the last one-third of the season,” said head coach Nick Saban. “We need everyone’s best.” He is in his fourth season as the main man in Tuscaloosa ans has compiled a 35-9 record. It’s safe to say that this program loves the big game, posting a 12-3 mark against AP Top 25 teams over the past three seasons. The team is 8-4 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points and the college football lines page has them favored by 6.5 points.
The Crimson Tide are on a three-game winning streak following a bye under Saban’s direction, while he is 9-3 following a week off during his SEC career. Alabama’s motto of “Start Fast – Finish Strong” has been present for most of the year, considering the team holds a 72-30 scoring edge in the first quarter and 38-10 advantage in the fourth. Offensively, the team is still led by a rushing attack that includes two powerful runners and it will face its stiffest test to date against LSU. The Tigers did allow more than 340 yards on the ground to Auburn in their only loss this season. Alabama’s rushing offense is ranked 30th at 186.88 yards per game and fourth in the conference.
LSU definitely knows that the loser of Saturday’s game will in all likelihood be eliminated from any shot of appearing in the SEC title game in Atlanta. “All we can do is control our own destiny,” said running back Stevan Ridley. “We are not going to fold our tent. We have a great team coming here with one loss.” The Tigers are going to need more out of their 113th-ranked passing unit to have any chance of grabbing an upset, but the Tide’s defense ranks fourth in the SEC in giving up only 178 yards a game through the air. LSU must loosen up the aggressiveness of its opponents defense due to them surrendering just 113 yards a game on the ground. The team has gone 1-7 ATS in weeks 10 through 13 and the college football linesmakers have made them a home underdog.
The Tigers are a spectacular 14-1 in games following a loss under head coach Les Miles and it will be important for them to score first in this contest. LSU is 6-0 this year and 42-6 under Miles when lighting the scoreboard before its opponent. Defensively, the unit ranks as the SEC’s-best, giving up just 277.6 yards per game and is second in the league in scoring defense (15.6 ppg). This will be the fourth straight year that both teams go into the game ranked in the Top 25.
Bettors will find that the Crimson Tide are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 road games, while the Tigers are 13-6-1 in their last 20 games as an underdog of 3.5 to 10 points.
This is one of many fantastic matchups that are scheduled on Saturday and the college football handicappers at Maddux Sports will be ready!
