Georgia Southern vs. LSU Prediction
Can No. 6 LSU dominate Georgia Southern at home when the Tigers open up their 2019 season tonight at 7:30PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
199 Georgia Southern vs. 200 LSU
Saturday, August 31, 2019
7:30PM ET – Tiger Stadium
TV: ESPNU
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, LSU is the heavy favorite in this game, as the Tigers are getting odds of -27 points against Georgia Southern. The over/under total is listed at 52.5 points. The public betting currently has 56 percent going on LSU as the favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
LSU looking for strong start
LSU is coming off a 10-3 record in 2018, but the Tigers still weren’t really in the playoff mix by going 5-3 in SEC play. The team is hoping to change that in Ed Orgeron’s fourth season as head coach. The Tigers were 7-6 against the spread in the 2018 season while posting a 7-5-1 mark with the over.
Usually known for defense, the LSU offense actually wasn’t too bad last season, averaging 32.4 points and 402.1 yards per game. Quarterback Joe Burrow was a good game manager, throwing for 2,894 yards and 16 touchdowns with just five interceptions. Burrow is back to lead the offense again in 2019. He has leading receiver Justin Jefferson back to work with. Jefferson caught 54 passes for 875 yards and six scores in 2018. LSU loses its leading rusher form a year ago, but Burrow rushed for 400 yards and seven scores and Clyde Edwards-Helaire is back after putting up 658 yards and seven scores last fall. Defensively, LSU gave up just 21.8 points and 338.7 yards per game. They have eight starters back this year, which makes LSU very dangerous.
Southern breaks out in 2018
Georgia Southern is coming off a big 2018 season, where it went 10-3 with a bowl victory. The Eagles were 6-2 in a competitive Sun Belt Conference. Chad Lunsford is coming into his second full season as head coach. Georgia Southern also had an impressive 9-4 record against the spread last season while going 7-6 with the under.
Southern runs a run-heavy shotgun offense that was seventh in the nation last year in terms of rushing yards. The Eagles averaged 266.2 yards per game on the ground, which led to 30.5 points per contest. Shai Werts returns as QB. He threw for just about 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns while rushing for 908 yards and 15 touchdowns. He actually didn’t have a single interception in 116 pass attempts. Georgia Southern has just two starting linemen back, which is a concern. Defensively, the Eagles gave up 21.5 points and 357.1 yards per game in 2018. The defense has seven starters back this year, including five in the front seven.
College Football Betting Trends
LSU
LSU has covered the spread in four straight games in August, but are 2-6-1 ATS in their last nine non-conference games.
Georgia Southern
The Eagles are 5-0-1 against the spread in their last six against SEC opponents and 4-1 ATS in their last five non-conference games.
Prediction:
Georgia Southern had a great season last year, but I can’t see it competing with LSU in Baton Rouge. The Tigers should be able to dominate this game, and if they can’t, that should be a concern. LSU has a strong run defense and has enough athletes offensively to run over the Eagles. If Georgia Southern were playing Clemson, Alabama or Georgia, the spread may be another 10 points higher. If LSU truly wants to compete with the best this season, it needs to cover this spread with some ease.
College Football Week 1 Prediction: LSU -27
Related: Georgia Southern vs. LSU Total Prediction