Tag Archives: LSU

07.09.15
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SEC Games to Circle

It’s a slow time in the sports calendar, which makes it a perfect time to start preparing for football season. I looked through the conference schedules for the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC and Pac-12 to look for favorable situations to support teams and bad situations to fade teams. Games are at least two months away, and I wouldn’t automatically pick these games but it’s something that could be helpful down the road. I will post the other four conferences next week. For now, here are games you should keep an eye on in the SEC:

September 26- Missouri at Kentucky: Missouri has three favorable non-conference games before their first SEC game at Kentucky. The Tigers will likely be a favorite against an up-and-coming Wildcats team that needs to win these games if they want to make a bowl. Missouri plays South Carolina the week after. Last year the Tigers shockingly lost to Indiana the week before playing the Gamecocks in a classic “look ahead” situation. Missouri may be looking past Kentucky with bigger games on deck so possibly take Kentucky if they are an underdog in this game.

October 10- Georgia at Tennessee: Georgia is coming off a home game against Alabama. A trip to Knoxville is less than ideal the week after such a big contest for the Bulldogs. The Volunteers host Arkansas the week before and a have a bye the week after. Tennessee might end up being a favorite in this game and I would likely take them if the spread is a south of a field goal.

October 17- Alabama at Texas A&M: Alabama has had favorable conference schedules the last few seasons. However, things change in 2015 as they draw Georgia and Tennessee from the SEC East. They play the two SEC East foes in part of a four-week stretch that also includes games against Arkansas and Texas A&M. The game against Texas A&M is on the road and I can see the Crimson Tide slipping up here. The Aggies will have revenge on their mind after being trounced 59-0 against Alabama last season. Texas A&M also has a favorable early season schedule, and they don’t leave the state of Texas until the eighth week of the season. I don’t know if Alabama will lose this game but I can see them failing to cover the spread.

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11.26.14
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College Football: Week 14 Picks

Here are my Week 14 college football picks and the rest of the pool plays on Thursday, Friday and Saturday:

Texas (+7) over TCU: I think Texas gives TCU scare on Thanksgiving Night with tough defense.

Texas A&M (+3) over LSU: LSU is a young team and this is a tough situation on the road.

Ohio State (-21) over Michigan: Ohio State will be looking for style points and will show no mercy against their bitterest rival.

Penn State (+13) over Michigan State: This line is a bit too high and I think James Franklin will have his team prepared.

Tennessee (-17) over Vanderbilt: Tennessee will be bowl eligible with a win and the Volunteers should rout the Commodores in Knoxville West. Speaking of James Franklin, Vanderbilt beat Tennessee the last two seasons so Butch Jones’ team has revenge on their mind.

Pool Plays  Continue reading →

11.14.14
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College Football: Week 12 Picks

I have seven picks in Week 12 of college football. I previewed the important games earlier in this week before the lines were released. I ended up picking six of those games so you can read my analysis there. Here are my picks and pool plays for Week 12:

South Carolina (+7) over Florida: This is the one game I didn’t preview earlier in the week because it has no impact on the College Football Playoff. South Carolina has blown three fourth quarter leads this year but I think they make sure to play 60 minutes in Gainesville. Florida doesn’t have the offense to be a touchdown favorite here and I think the Gamecocks win straight up.

Georgia (-2) over Auburn

Stanford (-7.5) over Utah

Alabama (-8) over Mississippi State

Arkansas (-2) over LSU

Florida State (-3) over Miami

Maryland (+12) over Michigan State

Pool Plays

Penn State (-11) over Temple

Ohio State (-14) over Minnesota

Iowa (-3.5) over Illinois

Nebraska (+6.5) over Wisconsin

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11.07.14
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College Football: Week 11 Picks

Here are my Week 11 college football picks and the rest of the pool plays:

Kansas State (+6) over TCU: A Bill Snyder team getting points is usually a safe pick. Kansas State’s only loss was against Auburn so both these teams are in contention for the College Football Playoff. I think Kansas State will try to control the ball to keep TCU’s explosive offense off the field. That’s why I also like the under in this game.

Under 58 in TCU vs Kansas State: See above

Under 45 in LSU vs Alabama: I can see LSU winning this game and because of that I like the under. It might be similar to the game two weeks ago when the Tigers upset Ole Miss 10-7. I don’t think Alabama’s offense will be as efficient on the road in Baton Rogue. Remember that these teams played a 9-6 game three years ago before meeting again in the National Championship.

Michigan State (-4) over Ohio State: Michigan State is the better team and are coming off a bye. The Spartans are playing at home in primetime, so I give the advantage to quarterback Connor Cook over Ohio State freshman J.T. Barrett.

Pool Plays

Kentucky (+10) over Georgia: The next two games are only pool plays but I was very close to making them official picks. I make most of my college football picks based on scheduling situations. Georgia is in a terrible scheduling spot this week. They just played Florida and play Auburn next week. So this Kentucky game is sandwiched between two big games for the Bulldogs. The matchup next week against Auburn is even more important because of how the Tigers beat the Bulldogs last season. Georgia also had their College Football Playoff dreams crushed last week when they lost to Florida. With no shot a winning the title and I think Georgia comes out flat in Lexington. That being said, the line has probably adjusted taking those factors into consideration. So I would lean towards Kentucky but would like this game a lot more if the spread was a few points higher.

Purdue (+17) over Wisconsin: The Badgers are one of four teams in the Big Ten West with one loss. The other three are Nebraska, Iowa  and Minnesota. Those are Wisconsin’s three opponents after this game in West Lafayette. So this is a lookahead scenario against Purdue with bigger games on deck. Purdue has improved in conference play and even out gained Nebraska last week in a 21-point loss. The home team is getting a lot of points here but there’s going to be cold and rainy weather for an early kickoff on Saturday. That climate favors Wisconsin’s game plan of running of the ball and playing strong defense. That’s why I would only lean Purdue in this game.

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10.24.14
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College Football: Week 9 Picks

Here are my Week 9 college football picks and the rest of the pool plays:

Wisconsin (-10.5) over Maryland

Under 48 in Kansas State vs Texas

North Carolina (+7) Virginia

Under 49 in Michigan State vs Michigan

Oklahoma State (-1) over West Virginia

LSU (+4) over Ole Miss

Over 65 in Auburn vs South Carolina

Under 46 in Tennessee vs Alabama

Washington (+3) over Arizona State

Pool Plays 

Oregon (-17.5) over California- Friday Night

Illinois (+6) over Minnesota

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10.17.14
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College Football: Week 8 Picks

Here are my Week 8 college football picks and the rest of the pool plays:

Iowa (+4.5) over Maryland

California (+7) over UCLA

Alabama (-13) over Texas A&M

Over 64 in Alabama vs Texas A&M

Tennessee (+16) over Ole Miss

Under 47 in Ole Miss vs Tennessee

LSU (-10) over Kentucky

Iowa State (+12.5) over Texas

Pool Plays 

Wake Forest (+5) over Syracuse

Purdue (+14) over Minnesota

West Virginia (+8.5) over Baylor

Kansas State (+7.5) over Oklahoma

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10.02.14
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College Football: Week 6 Picks

Here are my picks and pool plays for Friday and Saturday in college football:

Mississippi State (-2) over Texas A&M: Texas A&M is overvalued and were lucky to beat Arkansas on Saturday. I think the Aggies defense will have trouble with Dak Prescott and the Bulldogs offense. Mississippi State had a bye last week to refocus after an emotional win at LSU.

Stanford (-1) over Notre Dame: Two years ago Stanford pushed Notre Dame to the brink before falling just short in South Bend. I think revenge can be a factor in this game. Everett Golson has had a great start to the season but the Cardinal have a history of slowing down mobile quarterbacks. Stanford’s only loss was against USC where they statistically dominated the game. Notre Dame has taken care of business but this year’s Michigan team, Purdue and Syracuse aren’t very good this season.

LSU (+7.5) over Auburn: I’ve been picking against Auburn a lot this season and will do it at least one more time. They failed to cover the spread in the last two games despite winning outright. Les Miles’ teams are always better with less expectations and when no one believes in them. I think that is the case in this game and I can see LSU upsetting Auburn.

Utah (+13) over UCLA: UCLA started the season slowly and then bursted out for 62 points and 580 yards last Thursday against Arizona State. The Bruins scored twice on interceptions and also returned a kickoff for a touchdown. The Bruins have a tough scheduling situation with Oregon at home next week. Utah may have been looking ahead to this game when they blew a fourth quarter lead to Washington State at home. I think the Utes offense gets back on track and they cover in Pasadena.

Pool Plays

Syracuse (+3) over Louisville- Friday Night

Purdue (+8.5) over Illinois

Ohio State (-8.5) over Maryland

Florida (+3) over Tennessee

Iowa State (+17) over Oklahoma State

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08.29.14
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College Football: August 30 Picks

Thursday picks

Friday picks

I have four picks for the first Saturday of the college football season. The explanation for each game is hyperlinked in the pick.

UCF (-2) over Penn State

Rice (+21) over Notre Dame

Arkansas (+20) over Auburn

Georgia (-7.5) over Clemson

Pool Plays

Oklahoma State (+17.5) over Florida State 

Wisconsin (+5) over LSU Continue reading →

08.25.14
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SEC Win Total and Standings Preview

Best bets

Florida over 7.5 wins (-140): Things can only go up for Florida after finishing 4-8 last season and having a roster filled with injured players. Quarterback Jeff Driskel is healthy and I think he will play up to his potential this season. Will Muschamp knows he is on the hot seat and you can always count on his defense to play well. Look for sophomore cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III to be a household name by the end of the season. Florida’s schedule is challenging with cross-division conference games at Alabama and home against LSU. They make the trip at the end of the season to Tallahassee to play Florida State. I think they will win one of the two games against Georgia and South Carolina. I also think they will beat LSU. Great programs rebound after a disappointing season and I think Florida will win nine games. Continue reading →