Tigers vs Tigers NCAA Football Spread/Handicapping
The LSU Tigers enter week four’s matchup on a roll, while the Tigers of Auburn enter with one of their worst starts in recent memory.
No. 2 LSU Tigers (3-0) vs. Auburn Tigers (1-2)
Saturday September 22, 2012
Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL
10:30 PM ET
Moneyline: LSU -1300, Auburn +850 GTBets.eu
Spread: LSU -20.5
O/U: 48.5
LSU Tigers
The LSU Tigers head into Jordan-Hare Stadium as the No. 2 team in the nation. They’ve won their first three matchups by an average of 38 points, and they’re looking like national championship contenders yet again early in the 2012 season.
We all know about LSU’s defense. They’re branded throughout the country as a defensive powerhouse, and even without Tyrann Mathieu on board this season, they’re still holding opponents to just 10.3 points per game and they’ve allowed no more than 219 yards in any game thus far.
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What’s been a pleasant notion for LSU fans is that their offense has been just as good up to this point. Averaging 48.3 points per game, the Tigers are relying heavily on the run game.
Quarterback Zach Mettenberger has been relatively sharp with 609 yards, four touchdowns and only two picks (with a 72.7 completion percentage), but it’s been running back Kenny Hilliard (Alfred Blue’s backup) who has carried much of the scoring load.
His 8.2 yard-per-carry average is the third-highest among players with more than 35 carries so far this season.
LSU is just 1-5 in their last six games at Auburn, but with how they’ve looked thus far, it’s tough to imagine most teams slowing them down.
Auburn Tigers
The Auburn Tigers will have home-field advantage against LSU on Saturday, but that just might be the only benefit they take into their week four matchup. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Tigers aren’t too far removed from their BCS title run just two seasons ago, but they’ve struggled to bounce back from the loss of Cam Newton to the NFL draft. The team’s offense is currently 105th in the nation, as they’re struggling to make much happen in both the running and passing games.
Their defense hasn’t been great, either, but they can at least hold their heads high knowing that they’ve kept all three of their opponents under their respective point-per-game averages.
The last time LSU came to town, Auburn walked away victorious 24-17. Their defense was solid in the 2010 matchup, and it will have to be even better this time around if they hope to stand a chance.
After dropping games to No. 14 Clemson and unranked Mississippi State—and barely defeating Louisiana-Monroe by three in overtime—it’s tough to imagine the Tigers keeping up with LSU in this one.
Trends:
LSU Tigers are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 road games.
LSU Tigers are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games after scoring more than 40 points in their previous game.
LSU Tigers are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 conference games.
LSU Tigers are 11-0 ATS in their last 11 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
O/U Pick: Over 48.5
Score Prediction: LSU 38—Auburn 13
