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The No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide will host the LSU Tigers in a matchup that looked a lot better heading into the season but instead, Alabama is favored by more than four touchdowns. LSU has played just one game since the announcement that Ed Orgeron will not return to be the head coach in 2022 in a loss to the Ole Miss Rebels, while Alabama will go for their third straight win out of the break.
Here’s all the data you’ll want, and a pick for the game!
SP+ Rankings
Alabama: 3 overall, 3 offense, 10 defense
LSU: 53 overall, 36 offense, 73 defense
Injury update
Alabama
RB Camar Wheaton - Out indefinitely (knee)
LB Drew Sanders - Probable (hand)
LB Keanu Koht - Questionable (foot)
LSU
CB Cordale Flott - Doubtful (undisclosed)
DB Sage Ryan - Out (undisclosed)
DB Major Burns - Questionable (undisclosed)
DT Joseph Evans - Questionable (undisclosed)
WR Deion Smith - Questionable (undisclosed)
RB Armoni Goodwin - Questionable (undisclosed)
G Chasen Hines - Questionable (undisclosed)
ATS/Total
Against The Spread
Alabama: 5-3 ATS
LSU: 3-5 ATS
Total
Alabama: Over 5-3
LSU: Over 4-4
Returning/Overall Talent from 247Sports
Alabama: 1 overall, 1 offense, 1 defense
LSU: 7 overall, 13 offense, 4 defense
Current lines at DraftKings Sportsbook
Spread: Alabama -28.5
Total: 67
Moneyline: Alabama -5000, LSU +2000
Opening line: Alabama -29
Opening total: 63.5
Weather
64 degrees, 7 MPH wind, 6% chance of rain
The Pick
LSU +28.5
Both teams are coming out of a bye week, so there’s not much of a situational advantage for either side. It’s very difficult to know how LSU will finish out what is a bit of an awkward situation with a coaching staff that will likely not be around much longer. However, 28.5 is a ton of points in what is the Tigers’ biggest game the rest of the season. With an additional week to prepare, I’ll guess LSU will do enough against an Alabama team that just needs wins - not style points - to get into the College Football Playoff.
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