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The LSU Tigers got their national championship hopes back with last week’s huge win over South Carolina, but they will be gone for good – as will LSU’s SEC title hopes – if the Tigers lose Saturday at Texas A&M.
The visitors are 4-point favorites on Vegassportsbetting.com.
Facing third-ranked South Carolina with a decimated offensive line and coming off its first regular-season loss in 18 games, LSU bullied the Gamecocks to the tune of 406 yards, had four sacks and added two interceptions to regain its footing in the race for a championship, 23-21.
Freshman running back Jeremy Hill had a breakout game, rushing for 124 yards and 2 scores, one of which went from 50 yards out. LSU outran South Carolina, 258-34, while Gamecocks running back Marcus Lattimore was held to 35 yards on 13 carries.
LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger finished 12-of-25 passing for 148 yards. He was sacked once and his lone interception was returned 70 yards to the LSU 1, leading to South Carolina’s first touchdown on the first play of the second quarter.
One area in which LSU coach Les Miles said he must see improvement is red-zone offense. LSU had four drives that reached at least the South Carolina 15 yard-line but did not produce touchdowns. Drew Alleman attempted four field goals, making three and missing one.
Texas A&M won one of last week’s wildest games, 59-57 over Louisiana Tech in a matchup that was supposed to take place in Week 1 but was postponed by Hurricane Isaac. Johnny Manziel accounted for six touchdowns, including two to fend off a late rally, for the Aggies.
Manziel ran for 181 yards and three touchdowns and threw for 395 yards and three more scores. A&M finished with 678 yards of offense and Louisiana Tech had 615. Tech’s output is even more impressive considering the offense sputtered in the first quarter and had just 33 yards. The Aggies led by 23 in the third quarter before a furious comeback attempt by Louisiana Tech.
The 20th-ranked Aggies have won five consecutive games since losing at home to No. 3 Florida in their season opener. In four of the five victories, Texas A&M scored at least 48 points. In six games, Manziel has nearly 2,400 yards of total offense.
These two renew a rivalry dating back to 1899 with LSU holding a 27-20-3 edge. This will be the Tigers’ first visit to Kyle Field since 1995.
Vegas trends: Tigers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 road games. Tigers are 1-4 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. Tigers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 conference games. Tigers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
Aggies are 1-9-1 ATS in their last 11 conference games. Aggies are 1-10 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. Aggies are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games in October.
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