LSU vs. Mississippi Line Goes Over 30
The LSU vs. Mississippi line has moved above -30 to -30.5 after opening at -28.5 earlier in the week. It’s not the home team Ole Miss Rebels who are favored either. Incredibly, more than 80 percent of those betting the spread were backing the Tigers at this huge number on the road.
Sportsbook.com Line & Total: LSU -30.5 & 46
Opening Line & Total: Tigers -28.5 & 46.5
No. 1 LSU plays its final road game of the season when it visits a reeling Ole Miss squad that has lost 12 straight SEC contests.
As if it wasn’t bad enough for Ole Miss suffering through five straight losses including a humiliating 27-7 home debacle last week versus Louisiana Tech, it’s actually gotten worse. The top two offensive players for the Rebels, QB Randall Mackey and RB Jeff Scott, are both suspended and will not suit up on Saturday. This will make life even easier for the Tigers, who are 4-0 (SU and ATS) on the road this season, allowing just 40 points in those contests. LSU has won seven of the past nine meetings SU including a wild 43-36 game last year in Baton Rouge, but Ole Miss has the decisive 7-2 ATS edge in these past nine contests. However, the 2011 Rebels are much worse than any of those previous nine squads, ranking 113th in total offense (298 YPG) and 94th in total defense (426 YPG).
LSU wasn’t particularly sharp early on against Western Kentucky last week, but still had no problems in posting a 42-9 victory. The game was somewhat of a letdown after the physical 9-6 overtime win at Alabama in the biggest game of the year. Saturday’s game has the potential of being a trap with No. 6 Arkansas looming next week, but the Rebels just don’t have the depth to keep this game close. They have been outscored by 21.0 PPG (179-74) during the losing skid, dropping their last conference game 30-13 at Kentucky which was winless in SEC play before beating Ole Miss.
The Tigers could elect to start Jordan Jefferson at quarterback instead of Jarrett Lee, but both QBs will see time under center. The Rebels will counter with Zack Stoudt, who was 8-of-19 for 73 yards, 0 TD and 1 INT against Louisiana Tech. Now he’s tasked with moving the football against a tremendous LSU defense allowing just 10.7 PPG and 253 total YPG this year, which both rank second in the nation. The Tigers have also forced 21 turnovers this season, including 14 interceptions. For the Rebels to have any chance to keep the score close, senior RB Brandon Bolden will have to do some serious damage. Bolden actually had a big day in a Baton Rouge last year, rushing for 91 yards and two touchdowns.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
