Here’s how you should be betting on the LSU-Rice game and how you should be betting on the game.
The LSU Tigers rebounded last week against Arkansas after a tough loss at home to the top-overall ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. They look to use their abundance of skill and size to continue their hot streak against Conference USA opponent Rice.
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Head coach Ed Orgeron and the LSU Tigers found their roar again last week against the Arkansas Razorbacks, taking a game on the road by a score of 24-17. Though not the dominant rebound win some Tigers fans would’ve hoped for coming after their loss against Alabama, the road-win signaled that the Tigers were ready to defend their position as a highly ranked team.
The loss to Alabama took a hard hit on Tigers fans, as Death Valley was silenced for much of the game, in which LSU was shut out at home. However, quarterback Joe Burrow combined with running back duo Nick Brossette and Clyde Edwards-Helaire to provide enough offense for the top-tier LSU defense to get the job done in Fayetteville.
The LSU defense, led by star-linebacker Devin White and cornerback Greedy Williams, slowed the Arkansas offense down to secure the win. LSU and its strong defense will be looking to get a win in front of their home crowd in Baton Rouge this Saturday in a non-conference game.
They’ll be watching the teams ranked ahead of them, hoping for a slip, and hoping they can get the offense going this week against a struggling Rice team that has been more than friendly to opposing offenses.
The Rice Owls currently sit at 1-10 overall on the season, with a 0-7 record in Conference USA play. Last week, they lost to Louisiana Tech by 15 points in conference play. To say Rice has struggled is an under-exaggeration. The season hasn’t been kind for Rice this year.
Paired with a tough schedule in a competitive CUSA this year, Rice has struggled to contain opposing offenses, letting up an average of 37.5 points per game. Some of this could go back on the offense, as the Owls offense hasn’t been without its struggles.
Though they average 324.5 yards of offense a game, and 19 points, Rice has a combined 16 interceptions from its quarterback staff, giving them a high turnover rate per drive. The offense is led by Senior quarterback Shawn Stankavage, who has thrown for 1,227 yards with a completion percentage of 56.8 percent. He currently has ten touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.
Rice will be looking to pull off what would be one of, if not the, biggest upsets of the college football season on Saturday, hoping that they can take advantage of a relatively lackluster Tigers offense. At the same time, the Tigers defense is likely thinking the same thing about Rice’s turnover-heavy offense. That being said, if Rice can create enough offense against one of the best defenses in the league, the possibility of an upset rises exponentially.
TV and Game Info
Date: Saturday, Nov. 10
Start Time: 7:30 p.m. E.T.
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Stadium: Tiger Stadium
TV Info: ESPNU
Live Stream: WatchESPN
The Tigers are, naturally, favored heavily in the game this Saturday which will mark the team’s return to Death Valley after their loss to Alabama. Look for them to be ready to impress the home crowd and aim to finish their last home game of the season on a high note.
Oddsmakers have given LSU a large spread to cover for their game against Rice, who currently sit at the bottom of the Conference USA. Still, however, the question remains: Can the LSU offense get going headed towards the end of the season?
Betting Odds (via oddsshark.com)
Point Spread: LSU -42
Moneyline: LSU -39464 | Rice +35000
Over/Under: 52
Prediction: Rice is struggling heavily right now. If they had more momentum coming into this game, I’d consider it a deadlier trap-game for the Tigers. To me, this is a hefty spread for LSU to try to cover, especially with a relatively weak offense. I don’t think LSU quite covers the spread this week. To me, they’ll get close, still dominates the game.
I’d look for a strong showing from Ed Orgeron’s Tigers team, and for the struggling Rice team to continue to struggle this weekend in Baton Rouge. LSU will grab some momentum ahead of their season closer against Texas A&M. Rice will finish out their season against Old Dominion and hope to close out the season on a high note looking ahead to next year.
Score: LSU 38, Rice 3