Every team in the SEC West is ranked in the Top 25 this week, but if the movement in the betting line towards the LSU Tigers from -2 to -4.5 this week is any indication, the Mississippi State Bulldogs won't be hanging around the rankings all that long.
WHEN THE LSU TIGERS HAVE THE BALL
LSU lost its opening game of the season last week against McNeese State due to weather, and that has not only cost the school tons of money, but it has cost bettors a chance to see what Les Miles is bringing to the table this year.
Brandon Harris is going to be getting the start under center for the Bayou Bengals in the new offense led by Cam Cameron, but Anthony Jennings could end up being a part of the game plan as well.
For our money, Harris has the better skill set to run Cameron's offense than Jennings does, which means you're going to see a lot more of the short passing game than just the standard LSU dives up the middle.
That said, if Leonard Fournette gets going, look out. The big man is one of the best running backs in the SEC, and now that he has been turned loose, he could be a difference-maker in live betting against a defense which returned just five starters from a year ago.
Remember too, that this is the same Mississippi State defense which allowed 413 yards to Southern Miss just last week, a scary proposition for sure coming into this game against LSU.
WHEN THE MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS HAVE THE BALL
Last season, MSU had everything going its way. The team was senior-laden, it had a quarterback in Dak Prescott who did everything. Now that these seniors have graduated though, games like these are going to be nightmares.
That could be really bad news for a team which is all of a sudden one of the youngest in the SEC.
Prescott is back, but the rest of this offense around him for the most part has been replaced. He acquitted himself well last week, going 22-of-38 for 237 yards with two touchdowns to go with 72 rushing yards and a score on the ground, but clearly, he is going to need some help.
The rest of this rushing attack was rather lifeless, something which the LSU defense should be able to take advantage of.
Prescott ran for 105 yards last season, but there's just no way the Bayou Bengals are giving up 302 rushing yards again. If the Bulldogs can't figure out how to keep the ball moving on the ground, they're going to be in a lot of trouble in live betting in this one, even playing in Starkville.
TREND TO TRACK
LSU had beaten the snot out of Mississippi State in this series time and time again before last season when the Bulldogs won 34-29. The Tigers often put together some of their best offensive showings against MSU, including putting up 59 two seasons ago when they last paid a visit to Starkville.
Not only is LSU 4-1 ATS and SU in the last five meetings in this series, but the over is 9-1 in the last 10 clashes overall thanks to the fact that, for whatever reason, a sometimes offensively-challenged set of Tigers tend to roar their loudest when they see these Bulldogs on the other side of the field.
BookMaker opened the spread for this Saturday game before anyone else on the internet. The LSU Tigers opened at -2 alongside a total of 48. In-game spreads, totals, moneylines and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker's new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here, and start wagering today! The battle between the LSU Tigers and the Mississippi State Bulldogs will kick off Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 9:15 p.m. ET at Davis Wade Stadium. The contest will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
