The No. 5 Louisiana State Tigers (6-0) look to extend their unbeaten streak as they play the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (6-1). The nation’s top rusher, Leonard Fournette (1,202 yards, 14 TDs), and second-leading passer, Brandon Doughty (2,709 yards, 24 TDs), are the players to watch in this contest. It starts at 7:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct 24 and will air on ESPU.
LSU beat Florida 35-28 last week. Malachi Dupre had a big game in the win, totaling four receptions for 115 yards and two TDs. Leonard Fournette also had a big game with 180 rushing yards and two TDs on 31 attempts. Western Kentucky also got the win in last week’s performance, crushing North Texas 55-28. Anthony Wales had an outstanding performance on the ground for the Hilltoppers, gaining 193 yards and two TDs on 21 carries. He added 66 yards and a TD on five receptions. Taywan Taylor had a big game as well, totaling 134 receiving yards and two TDs on seven receptions.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently unavailable.
The Tigers enter the game with records of 6-0 Straight Up (SU) and 3-3 Against The Spread (ATS) this season. The Tigers have America’s fourth-ranked running attack with 326.8 yards per game. As for the LSU defense, there are important areas to keep an eye on. Expect the ninth-ranked Tigers run defense to cause headaches for the Hilltoppers run game. The Tigers give up 92.2 rushing yards per game. Keep an eye on LSU to turn it up a notch during the third quarter, when they average 11.5 points per game. Based on an average time of possession of 33:33 per game which ranks 15th in the nation, look for LSU to control the clock.
Across the field, the Hilltoppers have 6-1 SU and 4-2-1 ATS records this season. The Hilltoppers have averaged 50 PPG over the last five games, above their 44.0 PPG season average. Hopefully LSU’s defense is better than its timing. It will be matching up against a Hilltoppers offense that is on fire lately, averaging 583.4 total yards over their last five games. The Hilltoppers have a habit of pouring it on before they go into halftime. They average a Division I-best 17.1 points during the second quarter.
Predictions: SU Winner – Louisiana State, ATS Winner – Louisiana State
Notes
LSU is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of LSU’s last 5 games.
LSU is 16-3 SU in its last 19 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LSU’s last 5 games at home.
Western Kentucky is 6-0 SU when leading at the start of the 4th quarter this season. LSU is 5-0 SU when leading after three quarters.
