LSU 2018 Betting Preview: Schedule Will Prove Too Tough for Tigers

LSU 2018 Betting Preview: Schedule Will Prove Too Tough for Tigers article feature image
Credit:

Matt Stamey-USA TODAY Sports. Pictured: LSU Tigers running back Darrel Williams

LSU 2018 Betting Odds

  • To win the National Title: +7000
  • To make Playoff: +1200
  • To win the SEC: +2200
  • To win the SEC West: +1150
  • Win Total: 7 (over -107, under -113)

Always shop for the best line.


LSU 2018 Schedule, Betting Odds

The Action Network Projected Wins: 5.9

Bet To Watch

LSU Under 7 wins (-105)

LSU's downfall started with a suggestion from coach Ed Orgeron to offensive coordinator Matt Canada: remove the presnap movement in the first half against Troy.

The Tigers would go on to lose that game, 24-21. And from that point on, they were a mess internally, and it was no shock that Canada's days in Baton Rouge were numbered. Steve Ensminger takes over as offensive coordinator after almost 10 years on staff as the tight ends coach; he's loyal to Orgeron.

Orgeron and the Tigers will need to navigate a brutal schedule in 2018. LSU will play four teams coming off a bye week (Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State, Alabama and Arkansas) and another four that play cupcakes the week before taking on the Tigers:

  • Auburn hosts Alabama State on Sept. 8
  • Ole Miss hosts Kent State on Sept. 22
  • Georgia hosts Vanderbilt on Oct. 6
  • Texas A&M hosts UAB on Nov. 17

Returning production is another issue for LSU, as it ranks 122nd overall. This problem is especially notable in the backfield, where the Tigers don't have a single running back who scored a touchdown in 2017.

Joe Burrow, a transfer from Ohio State, is the heavy favorite to start the season under center, but he hasn't run away with that race yet.



The LSU defense should be pretty strong thanks to another good recruiting class for defensive coordinator Dave Aranda to work with.

But there isn't much optimism surrounding LSU this season, and I tend to agree with that sentiment, especially if the Tigers lose to Miami in Week 1.

There are too many unknowns with this team and the schedule is a real chore, so I am invested in LSU going Under 7 wins (-105).

What else you need to know about LSU

LSU is 1-5-1 against the spread as a road underdog since 2012. This situation applies in Week 3 against Auburn, which comes off a game against Alabama State.

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About the Author
Collin is a Senior Writer for The Action Network, covering all things college football, college basketball and MLB. Wilson also contributes content on WWE, Game of Thrones, and various other topics.

Follow Collin Wilson @_Collin1 on Twitter/X.

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