SEC football teams have made so many headlines this season that LSU and Texas A&M somehow have flown under the radar despite being the only two teams still unbeaten in league play.
With only one other conference game between ranked teams Saturday, now is the time for the No. 8-ranked Tigers and No. 14 Aggies to grab the prime-time spotlight.
Texas A&M will host the matchup at Kyle Field, and the Aggies are favored by 2.5 points on their home field. The over/under is 53.5 or 54 points.
Keep reading for our LSU vs. Texas A&M prediction, picks and best bets.
LSU vs. Texas A&M predictions and best bets
- Texas A&M moneyline: -135 odds at DraftKings Sportsbook
- Texas A&M team total over 27.5 points: -115 odds at bet365 Sportsbook
- Texas A&M RB Le’Veon Moss rush yards over 80.5: -114 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook
Football coaches always want balance on 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 major discrepancy in the run (128 yards per game) versus the pass (322 ypg).
Texas A&M, on the other hand, is one of the more balanced offenses in the conference. The Aggies (6-1 SU, 2-5 ATS) average 218 rushing yards per game and 186 passing yards. That rushing offense is second-best in the SEC.
That offensive balance and the raucous home-field crowd will allow Texas A&M to make two or three more big plays than LSU. In a tight game, one big play can make the difference.
And then there’s this: since 2017 when two ranked teams have faced one another, the home team is 182-89 straight-up (67%).
There’s also a chance Texas A&M doesn’t have to be balanced to win. Its rushing offense has a great matchup against LSU’s rush defense, which allowed 180 rushing yards to Ole Miss and 243 rushing yards to South Carolina.
How many times can LSU survive while being gashed by opponents on the ground? If Texas A&M succeeds in running the ball, it will put points on the board.
Staying on that theme, Texas A&M running back Le’Veon Moss should perform well Saturday. He has eclipsed 80.5 rushing yards in five of seven games this season. He has rushed for at least 110 yards in three of four SEC games.
LSU vs. Texas A&M moneyline odds analysis
Why Texas A&M could win as the favorite
Best odds: -135 at BetMGM Sportsbook
Since a loss to Notre Dame in the season-opener, Texas A&M has been rolling. The Aggies have won six in a row, including two home wins over SEC teams.
The biggest reason is the running game, which ranks second in the league with an average of 218.6 yards per game. Although LSU’s defense has not been good, the Tigers do better against the run than the pass. That said, the LSU run defense is still in the bottom half of the SEC rush defense rankings.
If the Aggies can run the ball effectively, they will have a great chance to win because nothing humiliates a defense more than an opponent that can gain first downs with big runs.
Why LSU could win as the underdog
Best odds: +115 at Caesars Sportsbook
It’s all about defense for LSU. The Tigers rank 14th out of 16 SEC teams in total defense with 358.6 yards allowed per game. They were better last week in a 34-10 win over Arkansas, when they allowed 278 total yards and a season-low 10 points. That could have been an outlier, however.
If LSU has turned a corner on defense, it will help prevent Texas A&M from making big plays – something the Aggies already don’t do well. That would keep the Kyle Field crowd manageable for LSU.
LSU already has won two SEC road games this season, including one against South Carolina in which it allowed 33 points.
