Between the Texas Tech passing game and the LSU rushing attack behind Leonard Fournette, each team can put points on the board.
The Tigers, however, will have to overcome a stark down turn in production while the Red Raiders' defense will need to shutdown Fournette to have any chance in this one.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Texas Tech Red Raiders +7.5
LSU Tigers -7.5
Over/Under 71
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Tigers' end to the season hasn't deterred bettors from backing LSU as the Tigers opened as 7.5-point chalk and currently sit as 7-point favorites.
The total has increased since the odds were first released, jumping by as much as field goal from 71 to 74 as we're likely in for an offensive explosion.
KEY MISMATCH
The Tigers hit quite a snag the last few weeks dropped three straight before bouncing back in toppling Texas A&M 19-7.
Offense had been a huge asset for LSU early with 34 points or more in six straight weeks, but the team failed to top 20-points in any of their last four games.
Texas Tech has been flat out bad defensively this season, allowing 42.6 points per game and 540.2 yards per game. That could be just the jolt the Tigers' offense needs to get back on track.
Another positive sign for LSU is the apparent return to form by Fournette. The talented running back carried this team on his shoulders through much of the season setting a truly historic pace.
Fournette has ended his sophomore year with 1,741 yards and 18 touchdowns while averaging 6.4 yards per carry.
On November 7, Fournette fell flat, rushing for just 31 yards on 19 carries. He bounced back some the following week with 91 yards and put up 159 last time out against the Aggies.
If Fournette is truly back to form, the LSU offense could have a field day against the Texas Tech defense, but it all falls on his shoulders. LSU's running game is ranked in the top-10 in the country, but the passing game checks in at No. 111.
KEY STAT
.519 – This is the third down conversion percentage for the Red Raiders, the best figure in college football.
If Texas Tech is to pull the upset or even cover the spread, it'll need to do it on the back of the offense. The Red Raiders have shown the ability to extend drives better than anyone, a key reason for their offense which is averaging 46.6 PPG, four more than they're allowing.
Between Patrick Mahomes II and DeAndre Washington, the offense is stacked. Mahomes has thrown for 4,283 yards and 32 touchdowns while rushing for 484 more yards and 10 scores.
Washington has 1,455 rushing yards to his credit on 223 carries with 14 touchdowns.
BETTING ANGLE
Both LSU and Texas Tech hit a bump in the road in November. For the Red Raiders, it resulted in three straight losses to Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and West Virginia. In those games, the offense only produced no more than 27-points twice. Of course, the defense continued its own struggles and gave up 70-points to Oklahoma State.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Texas Tech is involved so you know there will be a number of points put on the board. Both teams have the offenses to score, but it's the LSU defense that gives them the edge over a horrible Red Raiders stop unit.
With Fournette running like his old self-and having a sizeable break to rest-look for the Tigers to overcome the Red Raiders in the Texas Bowl.
Louisiana State 45, Texas Tech 35
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