NCAAF Picks: The LSU Tigers and head coach Les Miles are finally paying the price for having their talented roster picked clean each year by the NFL. LSU is using this season for on the job training and that OJT has put them out of contention for the SEC title. The Texas A&M Aggies have shown signs of both brilliance and ineptitude with a defense that has still not been fixed.
The Texas A&M Aggies will host the LSU Tigers at Kyle Field on Thursday night with coverage on ESPN starting at 7:30 PM ET.
Miles to Go for Offense
LSU is 7-4 both straight up and against the spread with a 4-7 mark under the total. The Tigers traditionally stout defense has again delivered the goods and ranks fifth in the nation for points allowed. The young offense has been the problem as it ranks 86th overall, 112th for the pass, and 75th for scoring. LSU is coming off a bye week that followed a 17-0 loss at Arkansas which was their second consecutive defeat.
Defenseless Aggieland
Texas A&M is 7-4, 4-7 ATS, and 5-6 under the total. The Aggies have again been done in by a defense that ranks 104th overall nationally. Since Kevin Sumlin took over as head coach in 2012 Texas A&M has had prolific offenses but weak defenses. Despite having to play two QB’s the Aggies rank a respectable 23rd for scoring offense and 10th for passing. A&M is coming off a 34-27 home loss to Missouri that was followed by a bye.
Matchup and Pick
LSU has suffered from a slip of board value on the road recently with just five payouts in their last 13 away games. Just three out of LSU’s last nine away games have gone under the total.
Texas A&M has been even worse at home however with just one payout in their last eight games at Kyle Field with five out of their last six home games going under the total.
LSU was the one team that was never caught off guard by Texas A&M when they joined the SEC with Johnny Football Manziel at QB. In fact LSU has won and covered the spread in their last three meetings with the Aggies with the last two meetings going under the total.
While LSU is young and raw Texas A&M is sloppy and inconsistent at home and a poor Kyle Field betting value. We expect LSU to come out strong and get the money.
LSU is the call.
