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This LSU vs. Mississippi State betting preview is courtesy of Sportsbook.com, which was offering a line of LSU -3.5 and a total of 49.5. Receive up to $250 in FREE CASH when you join today. See their site for huge wagering menu on all NFL and College Football games.
Nationally-ranked SEC West rivals square off Thursday night in Starkville when No. 3 LSU travels to No. 25 Mississippi State. The Tigers have owned this series since 1992, going 18-1 SU (15-4 ATS), including 11 straight SU victories over the Bulldogs.
MSU is hungry to get back into the win column after a 41-34 loss to Auburn as QB Chris Relf was tackled just inches short of the goal line on the game’s last play. LSU has one of the best defenses among FBS schools, but MSU is fifth in the nation in offense (588 YPG) thanks to Vick Ballard’s 301 rushing yards and 4 TD in two games. The Bulldogs outgained the Tigers in each of the past two meetings, but have been done in by nine turnovers in those pair of defeats. LSU starting QB Jordan Jefferson still suspended and backup QB Jarrett Lee is currently nursing an ankle injury.
In addition to Jefferson, the Tigers have two more suspended players, WR Russell Shepard (480 yards from scrimmage last year) and LB Josh Johns. Lee played much better in last week’s 49-3 win over Northwestern State, completing 9-of-10 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown. This was quite an improvement from his opening game against Oregon when he connected on just 10-of-22 attempts for 98 yards and a score. The Tigers have not done a great job rushing the football in trying to replace departed RB Stevan Ridley. LSU has averaged 3.8 yards per carry on the season, gaining 350 yards on 93 carries. However, the Tigers run defense has been quite a force, holding their opponents to just 91 yards on 55 carries this year (1.7 YPC), which includes limiting the nation’s reigning rushing king LaMichael James to 54 yards on 18 carries.
Last year in Baton Rouge, the Bulldogs outgained the Tigers, but threw 5 INT in a 29-7 loss. Relf threw two picks in only eight attempts before leaving the game with an injury. But Relf sure looks healthy this season, with 397 passing yards and 157 rushing yards in the first two games. The offensive line has done a nice job of protecting him, allowing only two sacks. But the line might have to function without senior LT James Carmon (leg) and C Quentin Saulsberry (sprained knee) who are both questionable after getting hurt in last week’s loss at Auburn. The O-line has allowed Ballard to gain 9.7 YPC. This average is second-best in the nation among all RBs with over 160 yards this year (Cincinnati’s Isaiah Pead has 11.5 YPC).
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
