In a matchup that showcases two squads that are nationally ranked in the Top 13, the No. 13 LSU Tigers (+7) are set to play host to their conference foe No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs (-7) at Tiger Stadium. This critical afternoon game is scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET and fans can tune in to the action on CBS.
Georgia Bulldogs vs. LSU Tigers Betting Preview
LSU is entering this SEC matchup as the underdog and is currently getting 7 points. In order to take the favorite, moneyline gamblers would currently have to lay down $300 to net $100 back on the Bulldogs (-300). The Tigers are getting +220 moneyline odds. Should one side finds paydirt early, it’ll likely generate a worthy in-game betting opportunity.
Each of these teams has rewarded gamblers this year as the Bulldogs have gained 2.0 units and the Tigers are ahead 5.3 units.
The Bulldogs have gone 6-0 straight up (SU), including 4-0 SU against conference opponents. The Tigers are 5-1 SU overall and 2-1 SU in conference play.
The Bulldogs are looking to stay unbeaten following a 41-13 win over Vanderbilt last week where the Bulldogs completed 21-of-31 passes for 341 yards and three touchdowns. Jake Fromm went 17-for-23 for 276 yards and three touchdowns while Justin Fields completed three-of-six for 53 yards. James Cook (56 yards on seven rushes) and D’Andre Swift (50 yards on seven carries) led the running attack in the win while Riley Ridley (five receptions, 57 yards, one TD) and Mecole Hardman (four catches, 45 yards) handled the receiving duties.
One week ago, Florida knocked off this LSU team by a score of 27-19. The Tigers defensive unit allowed the Gators to eat up the clock by rushing for 215 yards on 43 attempts, including two rush TDs. Lamical Perine put up a good showing in the win, recording 85 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 17 attempts for Florida. For LSU, Joe Burrow completed 19-of-34 passes for 191 yards and two interceptions. Nick Brossette (95 rushing yards on 15 attempts, two TDs) and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (55 yards on 13 carries) spearheaded the ground game in the defeat as Derrick Dillon (four receptions, 42 yards) and Jonathan Giles (three catches, 12 yards) led the pass-catching attack.
In terms of offensive play-calling, each of these teams sports a similar run-pass ratio on the season. Georgia has run the ball on 62.7 percent of its offensive possessions while LSU has a rush percentage of 60.8. The Bulldogs have produced 245 rush yards per game (including 232 per game versus Southeastern opponents) and have 15 scores via handoffs this year. The Tigers are putting up 190 rushing yards per game (194 in conference) and have 15 total rush TDs.
The Dawgs offense has logged 240 yards/game through the air overall (248 per game against conference opposition) and has 14 passing TDs so far. The Tigers have produced 202 pass yards per outing (244.0 against SEC foes) and have six total pass scores.
Defensively, Georgia seems to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed opponents to run for an average of 113 yards and throw for 170 yards per game. The LSU defense has allowed 221.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 121.7 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Dawgs have given up an ANY/A of 4.47 to opposing QBs, while the Tigers are allowing an ANY/A of 4.38.
Offensively, Fromm is up to 1,015 passing yards on the year, and has completed 73 percent of his 92 attempts with 12 passing scores and only two interceptions. He has a sparkling 11.88 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 10.54 over the last two games.
The Bulldogs will likely try to maintain tempo by feeding their running backs early and often. Terry Godwin (115 yards, one TD) has been a recent factor in the receiving game, but backfield mates D’Andre Swift (240 rush yards, two rush TDs, 87 receiving yards, one receiving TD) and Elijah Holyfield (354 rush yards, three rush TDs) have brought significant production to the offensive scheme for Georgia.
Joe Burrow has managed to complete 71-of-140 passes for 922 yards, three TDs and two INTs for LSU. His ANY/A sits at 5.48 for the year and 6.48 over his last two games.
The Tigers should also look to control the clock by turning to their backfield. Along with Justin Jefferson (245 receiving yards), Nick Brossette (504 rush yards, seven rush TDs, 51 receiving yards) and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (263 rush yards, four rush TDs) have seen a multitude of touches recently.
These two SEC adversaries did not get a chance to face each other in 2017.
RELATED: Week 7 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
NCAA Prediction: Georgia Bulldogs vs. LSU Tigers
SU Winner – Georgia, ATS Winner – Georgia
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Notes
Betting Notes
Georgia has produced 5.28225806451613 yards per carry over its last three contests and 5.6 over its last two.
LSU has averaged 4.9 yards per carry over its last three games and 5.1 over its past two.
The LSU offense has lost four fumbles this season while Georgia has lost one.
The Bulldogs offense has registered seven pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Tigers have accounted for four such plays.
The Georgia defense has allowed two pass plays of 40 yards or more, while LSU has given up three such plays.
The Georgia offense has created 14 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while LSU has created seven such runs.
The Bulldogs defense has allowed two rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Tigers have given up four such runs.
The LSU defense has created more than twice as many sacks as Georgia this year (13 to six).
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