Odds courtesy of TonyBet.
Texas A&M vs LSU Odds
LSU is a sizable -371 moneyline favorite at football betting sportsbooks, while Texas A&M comes back at +254. The Tigers are also laying 9.5 points at -113, with the Aggies priced at -118 to cover as road underdogs. The total is set at 51.5 points, with the Over at -118 and the Under at -113.
Texas A&M has dominated this matchup recently, winning three of the last four meetings and two straight. The Aggies went into Tiger Stadium last season and handed LSU a convincing 49-25 defeat.
Texas A&M vs LSU Analysis
Texas A&M looked like one of the most dominant teams in the country through the opening two weeks, but last Saturday was a serious reality check. The Aggies cruised past Missouri State 50-0 before beating Arizona State 48-20, only to suffer a disappointing 31-21 home loss to Kentucky in their SEC opener. That result sent A&M tumbling 14 spots to No. 23 in the AP Top 25.
Marcel Reed will need to be much sharper if the Aggies are going to pull off the upset in Baton Rouge. The quarterback has completed just under 60% of his passes for 632 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions through three games. A&M is still averaging 39.7 points per contest, but most of that production came in its first two games. The Aggies managed just 21 points against Kentucky, and they'll now face an LSU defense with plenty to prove.
LSU is coming off a disappointing result of its own, losing 32-24 to Ole Miss in Lane Kiffin's return to Oxford. The Tigers dropped to No. 10 in the AP Poll following the defeat after beginning the season with convincing victories over Clemson and Louisiana Tech. LSU scored 51 and 45 points in those two wins, respectively, before Ole Miss handed Kiffin his first loss with the program.
Sam Leavitt has put up 732 passing yards through three games, but turnovers have been an issue. The LSU signal-caller has thrown just three touchdowns compared to five interceptions, something that must improve as conference play heats up. The Tigers have still averaged 40 points and over 500 total yards per game, with Dilin Jones providing balance on the ground with 285 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
This is a fascinating matchup because neither side can afford another early SEC loss. LSU has the home-field advantage and has been the more productive offensive team overall, which explains why the Tigers are favored by nearly double digits. However, laying 9.5 points against an A&M team that has beaten LSU in three of the last four meetings isn't necessarily an easy ask. The Aggies have also allowed only 17 points per game despite last weekend's setback.
Texas A&M vs LSU Picks
LSU deserves to be favored at home, but 9.5 points feels like a lot in a matchup that A&M has controlled recently. The Aggies walked into Tiger Stadium last season and won by 24 points, and while this year's LSU team looks much different, A&M has enough talent on both sides of the ball to keep this competitive.
The Tigers should be highly motivated after losing to Ole Miss, but Leavitt's five interceptions through three games are concerning. I prefer taking the points with the Aggies. They will either make this one possession game, or win outright.
Pick: Texas A&M +9.5 (-118)/TonyBet
