It’s a nice problem to have, but the LSU Tigers will be tasked with trying to replicate a national championship season that might have been the greatest college football team we’ve ever seen. The Bayou Bengals enter 2020 ranked as the No. 6 team in the country, and will host Mississippi State on Saturday, Sept. 26.
LSU is undergoing a massive overhaul of its roster and coaching staff. The Tigers will replace Joe Burrow after throwing 60 touchdown passes in 2015, setting all kinds of passing records. He won the Heisman Trophy and became the No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick for the Cincinnati Bengals, and Myles Brennan steps in for him at quarterback. It’s unfair to compare him to his predecessor, but he should have enough tools to be a competent signal caller in this offense.
Mississippi State should be an exciting program to watch moving forward, but it’s a rebuild. Mike Leach finally joins the SEC from Washington State, and brings his patented Air Raid offense that may give defensive coordinators a tough time. The Bulldogs will roll out Stanford graduate transfer K.J. Costello, who will put the ball in the air at a rate that should lead the SEC.
LSU beat Mississippi State on the road in Starkville, Mississippi last season 36-13.
Game Time/TV Channel/Streaming
Saturday’s game will start at 3:30 p.m. ET at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This game will appear on SEC Network.
Point Spread, Totals, Odds, Trends
Point spread: Mississippi State (+19.5) vs. LSU
Point Total: O/U 55.5
Money line: Mississippi State (+1300), LSU (-3335)
- Mississippi State finished 6-7 straight up in 2019 with a loss in the Music City Bowl against Louisville.
- Mississippi State went 5-8 against the spread last season.
- In 2019, LSU went 15-0 straight up and beat Clemson in the national title game.
- LSU finished 10-3-2 against the spread last season.
The Best Bet
Not only does LSU need to replace the player with one of the best single seasons we’ve ever seen with Burrow, the Tigers lost their offensive mastermind Joe Brady. A few weeks ago, star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase opted out of the season to prepare for the NFL Draft. Last year’s running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire was picked in the first round this spring, and the Tigers have one returning starter on the offensive line. LSU needs to replace too much to cover this high of a spread especially in a shortened offseason.
Pick: Mississippi State +19.5
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