LSU Tigers vs. Tennessee Volunteers Spread at -17.5
With the LSU Tigers vs. Tennessee Volunteers spread at -17.5, Gambling911.com suggests staying away from this one, at least where the spread betting is concerned. That huge double digit line favors visiting Louisiana State University.
Sportsbook.com Line & Total: LSU -17.5 &45
Opening Line & Total: LSU-16 & 43.5
Be sure to claim your FREE CASH BONUS up to $250 when opening an online sports betting account here
As if the task wasn’t difficult enough hosting the top team in the nation, Tennessee has to take on LSU without starting QB Tyler Bray on Saturday afternoon.
Bray is out six weeks with a broken thumb, which will allow Matt Simms to start under center. Simms didn’t have great game against the Tigers last year (12-for-23, 121 yards; 1 rushing TD), but nearly led his team to the upset. LSU won 16-14, scoring on the final play after Tennessee was penalized for too many men on the field. Don’t expect a repeat performance in 2011, as none of the Tigers games have been close this year. Despite playing four ranked teams already, they have won all six contests by at least 13 points, with an average win margin of 26.0 PPG. And considering the Vols have only 35 total points and minus-29 rushing yards in two SEC losses (Florida and Georgia), this will prove to be a long afternoon for the Vols. The pick here is LSU to win and cover the lofty spread.
LSU has done many things right this year. QB Jarrett Lee has only thrown one interception in 118 pass attempts and the Tigers are tied for the fewest amount of giveaways in the land (three). The rushing offense has been solid (184 YPG, 38th in nation) with three ball carriers performing at a high level. Spencer Ware leads the team with 432 rushing yards, while Michael Ford (324 rush yards) has a team-high six touchdowns. Alfred Blue has also done his job with 218 yards (4.5 YPC) and four scores. In the passing game, junior WR Reuben Randle has 346 receiving yards and 3 TD in his past five games, including a career-high 127 in last week’s 41-11 trouncing of Florida. Tennessee has allowed at least 130 rushing yards in each of the past four games, creating just two turnovers during this span.
Senior RB Tauren Poole was a big reason the Vols almost won in Baton Rouge last year, rushing for 109 yards and a touchdown. But he has found little running room in two games versus SEC opponents this year, gaining a pathetic 25 yards on 16 carries (1.6 YPC) against Florida and Georgia. The best player on Tennesee’s offense on Saturday will be sophomore WR Da’Rick Rogers. He has caught at least five passes in all five games, and had his five-game TD streak snapped last week against Georgia. For the year, Rogers has 513 yards (103 YPG) and six touchdowns. Simms faces a daunting task trying perform well against LSU. The Tigers have allowed 5.2 yards per pass attempt, picking off eight passes and only allowing 5 TD through the air this year.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
