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LSU-Texas A&M prediction, picks and best bets

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LSU-Texas A&M prediction, picks and best bets

SEC football teams have made so many headlines this season that LSU and Texas A&M have somehow slipped under the radar, even though they are the only teams still undefeated in league play.

With just one more conference game between ranked teams on Saturday, it’s now time for the 8th-seeded Tigers and 14th-seeded Aggies to take the spotlight in prime time.

Texas A&M will host the game at Kyle Field, with the Aggies leading by 2.5 points at home. The over/under is 53.5 or 54 points.

Read on for our LSU-Texas A&M pick, picks, and best bets.

LSU-Texas A&M predictions and best bets

Football coaches always want balance in the offense. So far this season, LSU’s Brian Kelly is losing that battle.

LSU (6-1 SU, 3-4 ATS) ranks fifth in the SEC in total offense with 450 yards per game, but there is a huge discrepancy between running (128 yards per game) and passing (322 ypg).

Texas A&M, on the other hand, is one of the most balanced offenses in the conference. The Aggies (6-1 SU, 2-5 ATS) are averaging 218 rushing yards and 186 passing yards per game. This rushing offense is the second best in the SEC.

This offensive balance and rowdy home crowd will allow Texas A&M to make two or three bigger plays than LSU. In a tight game, a big play can make the difference.

There’s also this: Since the two ranked teams met in 2017, the home team has a 182-89 (67%) lead.

There’s also the possibility that Texas A&M doesn’t need to be balanced to win. The rushing offense has a great matchup with LSU’s rushing defense, allowing 180 rushing yards to Ole Miss and 243 rushing yards to South Carolina.

How many times can LSU survive being hurt by opponents on the ground? If Texas A&M manages to run the ball, it will put points on the board.

Continuing that theme, Texas A&M running back Le’Veon Moss should have a solid showing on Saturday. He has eclipsed 80.5 rushing yards in five of seven games this season. He rushed for at least 110 yards in three of four SEC games.

LSU and Texas A&M moneyline odds analysis

Why might Texas A&M win as the favorite?

Best odds: -135 at BetMGM Sports Betting

Texas A&M has been on the rise since its season-opening loss to Notre Dame. The Aggies have won six in a row, including two home wins against SEC teams.

The biggest reason for this is the running game, which ranks second in the league with an average of 218.6 yards per game. While LSU’s defense isn’t good, the Tigers are doing better against the run than the pass. However, the LSU run defense still ranks in the bottom half of the SEC rush defense rankings.

If the Aggies can run the ball effectively, they will have a very good chance of winning because nothing humiliates a defense like an opponent who can win first downs with big runs.

Why was LSU able to win as an underdog?

Best odds: +115 at Caesars Sportsbook

It’s all about LSU’s defense. The Tigers rank 14th out of 16 SEC teams in total defense with 358.6 yards allowed per game. They were better in last week’s 34-10 win over Arkansas, allowing 278 total yards and a season-low 10 points. But this might have been an anomaly.

If LSU can turn a corner defensively, it will help prevent Texas A&M from making big moves, which is something the Aggies haven’t done very well anyway. This will keep the Kyle Field crowd manageable for LSU.

LSU has already won two SEC road games this season; one of them allowed 33 points against South Carolina.

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