Auburn vs. LSU NCAA Football Spread/Handicapping
Two of the best of what the SEC has to offer will square off against each other this weekend as No. 8 LSU host the Auburn Tigers in Baton Rouge.
Auburn (3-0) vs. No. 8 LSU (3-0)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013
Time: 7:45 p.m. EST
Venue: Tiger Stadium
City: Baton Rouge
O/U Odds: 56
Spread: LSU -17 1/2
Both teams arrive at Saturday’s contest undefeated, with the Tigers as a 17.5-point favorite over an Auburn team off to a solid start under first-year coach Gus Malzahn.
The Tigers rallied behind quarterback Nick Marshall to knock off Mississippi State last week and improved to 3-0, but a trip to Death Valley will be by far their toughest test so far.
Marshall has completed 61.4 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and two interceptions while rushing for 102 yards this season.
Defensively, the Tigers have three interceptions, a fumble recovery and four sacks, but they are allowing 433.7 yards per game.
LSU meanwhile, will play their first SEC opponent of the year, just one week after improving to 3-0 following a 45-13 winner at home against Kent State.
Offensively, the Tigers are ranked No. 12, scoring 46 PPG and will run up against an Auburn defense that ranks No. 32 at 17.7 PPG. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger has completed 65.2 percent of his passes with nine touchdowns without throwing an interception to lead the Tigers passing attack, which has averaged 269.3 yards per game.
But the Tigers aren’t just good at passing the ball, they’re good at running it too, as Jeremy Hill put on a clinic as he ran straight through the Kent State defense for 117 yards last time out.
He will be assisted in the backfield by Terrence Magee, who is averaging 8.1 yards per carry with three touchdowns.
In the meantime, the defense has one interception, six sacks and two fumble recoveries and is allowing less than 268 yards of offense per game.
One important factor to take into consideration here is that LSU has won five of six over Auburn, squeaking out a 12-10 win at Auburn last season as an 18-point favorite.
Matt’s Prediction
Auburn is 1-9 within the conference are while LSU is 7-3.
LSU is the better team here but not by much.
Auburn isn’t going to be a pushover and can stand up physically along the defensive line which should keep it closer than the spread dd makers have set.
I expect this one to be close with the home team coming away with their perfect record still intact.
LSU 31, Auburn 28
