November in the SEC gives us No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (6-0) against the LSU Tigers (2-3). For years, this matchup has decided the SEC West and, in some cases, the National Championship. But this year, it appears to be one-sided, with Alabama favored by four touchdowns. This rivalry game kicks off at 7 pm ET on Saturday, November 14, at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA. It will be televised on CBS.
Last year en route to a National Championship, LSU beat Alabama 46-41 in Tuscaloosa. Alabama won the previous eight matchups and lead the series 53-26-5. The Tide have won four straight at LSU dating back to a 2010 loss.
Alabama Crimson Tide Betting Outlook: Passing Attack
Alabama is 4-2 ATS this season, and their offense is averaging 47.2 points per game with 380 yards per game passing. The defense has only allowed 41 points in the last three games after a 63-48 win over Ole Miss on October 10. In their most recent game, the defense pitched a shutout against Mississippi State in a 41-0 win on October 30.
Quarterback Mac Jones has thrown for at least 275 yards a game, and he has three games with four touchdown passes. On the season, he has a 16/2 touchdown to interception ratio with 2,196 passing yards.
Running back Najee Harris is averaging 119 rushing yards per game, and he has scored 14 times on the season. Last year he scored twice against the Tigers.
Wide receiver Devonta Smith has come into his own after Jaylen Waddle was lost for the season in the win over Tennessee. Smith has 56 catches on the season for 759 yards, and last year he had 213 receiving yards against LSU. John Metchie has 24 catches on the campaign with three scores and 517 yards.
LSU Tigers Betting Outlook: Help the Young QB
The Tigers are 2-3 ATS this season as the defense ranks in the bottom 10 in the nation, allowing 335.2 passing yards and 478.6 total yards this season. The offense has struggled since quarterback Myles Brennan was injured, and he is not expected to play on Saturday.
In his place, true freshman T.J. Finley has struggled. Finley turned the ball over three times in the 48-11 loss at Auburn on October 31 with two interceptions and a fumble that was returned for a touchdown. He was benched for the second half but should start against the Tide.
Running back John Emery Jr. has 246 yards and two touchdowns on the season, while Tyrion Davis-Prince has 245 yards and two touchdowns.
Wideout Terrance Marshall Jr. has 540 yards on 31 catches this year with nine touchdowns. His outside partner Arik Gilbert has 22 catches for 259 yards and two touchdowns.
Alabama Crimson Tide at LSU Tigers Betting Line
Typically this game has a small line, but this year, Alabama is favored by 28 points on the road. The total is 71, and the Tigers are a +950 home moneyline underdog.
Betting Analysis
LSU is battling through COVID protocols at the start of the week, and it's not known how many players they will have available if this game goes on as scheduled. Expect Nick Saban and the Tide to take advantage and score early and often to send a message to the playoff committee.
Free Pick: Alabama -28 (-110)