LSU vs Alabama 2019 College Football Week 11 Odds & Preview

One of the great rivalries in college football will be renewed this Saturday when #2 Alabama welcomes #1 LSU. The teams have played 83 times, dating back to 1895, with Alabama having dominated the series, winning 53 of the 83 meetings (with 25 LSU wins and five ties). Alabama has won the last eight in a row. However, four of the last ten meetings have gone to overtime. The fact that Alabama coach Nick Saban actually led LSU to a national championship before departing for a brief (and disastrous) stint in the NFL and then taking the job at Alabama. Since then, Alabama has gone 10-3 in the series. The last time LSU was ranked #1 and visited a second-ranked Alabama team, though, the Tigers won, 9-6, in overtime, in a throwback game to the days when the forward pass was seen as a sort of risky venture. In 2019, though, with Tua Tagovailoa and Joe Burrow quarterbacking the two offenses, expect a great deal of firepower. Will the Tigers end the Alabama winning streak? Or will the Crimson Tide simply put LSU in their place once again? Check out our sports betting preview of this classic SEC matchup.

LSU vs Alabama 2019 College Football Week 11 Odds & Preview

When: Saturday, November 9, 2019, 3:30 pm ET Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL TV: CBS Radio: LSU Sports Radio Network / Alabama Crimson Tide Sports Network

Why should you bet on the Tigers?

LSU comes in on the momentum of a 23-20 win over Auburn two weeks ago, an important win for standing in the SEC West. Joe Burrow went 32 for 41 for 321 yards, throwing a touchdown pass — and an interception. Burrow also added a touchdown with his feat. Tailback Clyde Edwards-Helaire was a force for the Tigers, rumbling for 136 yards on 26 attempts, scoring a touchdown as well. The Tigers rolled up 508 yards of offense, including 187 on the ground. The Tigers have covered in five straight games away from Baton Rouge and in 13 of their last 16 road games against a team with a record above .500 at home. With that said, LSU has only covered once in their last six games against the Crimson Tide. What makes this game any different? One factor is the way in which Burrow has been able to lead LSU consistently up and down the field, giving them the most dynamic offense that they have had in years — and perhaps in the entire history of their program.

Why should you put your money on the Crimson Tide?

Alabama also comes in off a bye after knocking off Arkansas, 48-7 — with a backup quarterback. Tua Tagovailoa has been out with a high ankle sprain, but Mac Jones has filled in for him quite nicely. Tagovailoa will start on Saturday, but it is worth noting that, should his ankle have more problems, Jones put up some solid numbers. Against Arkansas, Jones went 18 for 22 for 235 yards and three touchdowns. Jerry Jeudy caught seven of those passes for 103 yards and a pair of scores. Najee Harris ran for 86 yards on 13 attempts and fount eh end zone twice. The Alabama defense was equally ruthless, generating four takeaways and not permitting a Razorback touchdown until the fourth period. Alabama generally does quite well for bettors out of the bye, covering in seven of their last nine contests after the break. However, they have failed to cover in five straight home games against a team with a road record above .500. LSU has been Alabama’s whipping post in recent years, and if you like the Tide here, you likely think that the Tigers still give Alabama more credit than they are due and will have a bit of a mental hurdle to get over in order to compete here. Also, you see Tagovailoa returning at full strength, without a hitch, and the Tide defense shutting Burrow down.

Final Score Prediction

I have a lot of respect for what LSU has done offensively this season, but until they do it against Alabama, it’s hard to argue that they will cover on the road, particularly given how well the Tide are playing again this year. With Tagovailoa still at full strength, I predict a final score of Alabama 30, LSU 20.