re: As of 8-25-16 : Vegas Lines for Week 1 SEC Games

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- Bit surprised the LSU line isn't closer to 12-13

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Was lower than -10 at one point actually.

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I think it's too high at 10. I'm leaning Wisconsin. I think it's a 1 score game.

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Have to disagree. Lost Aranda. I think Harris improves. I honestly can't tell you one offensive skill position player's name, not even the QB. I feel like I know at least a little bit about college football.

I get not trusting Les and the offense, because he's the boy that cries wolf..... but I think it changes a bit and this offense keeps LSU in the running for the playoffs all the way through.

Repeat of Oregon/LSU matchup this time around.

I'm taking LSU

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- Wisconsin vs LSU -10 (-10)

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I saw this at 9.5 recently.

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Bit surprised the LSU line isn't closer to 12-13

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I'd be surprised if we cover 9.5 or 10, let alone 12-13.

Wisconsin is just the type of team who could give us trouble, and we're playing them in a situation in which we have usually struggled.

Power running team with a physical defense whose strength is stopping the run. Tailor made for a matchup with LSU on both sides of the ball, although their speed and talent level may not be enough to actually win the game.

Away from home opener against a P5 team. Under Miles, LSU has played in that scenario in 2005 (needed miracle 4th quarter comeback to nip Arizona State 35-31), 2007 (stomped Miss. St. 45-0), 2009 (too close for comfort win at Washington 31-23), 2010 (narrowly escaped 30-24 over suspension-decimated UNC), 2011 (impressive win over Oregon 40-27), 2013 (37-27 struggle with rebuilding TCU), 2014 (needed huge comeback to edge underdog Wisconsin 28-24) and 2015 (needed last-second missed FG by Miss. St. to win 21-19). In all but 2007 and 2011, when we were legitimate national championship contenders, we have had tough games, usually tougher than anyone expected.

I guess if this game is a blowout in our favor, as some seem to think, then it'll mean we are a legitimate contender?

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Appalachian State @ Tennessee -20.5 (-23.5)

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Line is moving in the wrong direction, IMO. Vols will roll. Pick: Tennessee -20.5

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Missouri @ West Virginia -9.5 (-11.5)

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WVU should be able to score enough to keep this one from being too close. Pick: West Virginia -9.5

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South Alabama @ Mississippi St -31 (-34)

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Another one moving in the wrong direction. Mullen will pile it on. Pick: Mississippi State -31

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Southern Miss @ Kentucky -6.5 (-7.5)

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I think Kentucky is ready to show improvement. Pick: Kentucky -6.5

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Louisiana Tech @ Arkansas -26 (-20.5)

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Yet another line that seems to be moving in the wrong direction. Tech has the kind of offense that gives Arkie fits. Pick: Louisiana Tech +26

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UMass @ Florida -35.5 (-37)

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A lot of points to give up, but McElwain will let it rip. Pick: Florida -35.5

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Auburn vs Clemson -7 (-8)

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This one shouldn't be close. Auburn's QB problems won't be solved yet. Pick: Clemson -7

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UCLA @ Texas A&M -3 (-1)

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A&M typically can't beat good teams at home. I don't think they can match UCLA score for score. Pick: UCLA +3

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Wisconsin vs LSU -10 (-10)

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As mentioned, perfectly bad matchup for LSU and we usually struggle in openers away from home vs. P5 teams. Pick: Wisconsin +10

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North Carolina vs Georgia -2.5 (-3.5)

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UNC should be good this year. First game under Smart for UGa may be shaky. Pick: North Carolina +2.5

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Southern Cal vs Alabama -10.5 (-9)

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Alabama shouldn't have much trouble. USC may be getting better, but still nowhere close to the Tide. Pick: Alabama -10.5

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Ole Miss vs Florida State -4.5 (-5)

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FSU has better talent, and I don't like Ole Miss with the distractions. Pick: Florida State -4.5

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Wrong team favored in UNC/UGA...easy money

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If you bet on UNC for that game, you're crazy.

UGA is going to destroy them.

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North Carolina is not a bad team

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You have to take everything he says with a grain of salt. He is one of the biggest homers on this site.

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South Carolina @ Vanderbilt -3.5 (+4)

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Free money.

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Under that standard, almost anyone is a legitimate contender. By "legitimate contender" I mean a team that is very realistically capable of winning the title. Only four of Miles' LSU teams have been legitimate contenders under that standard, one since 2007 and none since 2011

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Well - Miles team last year appeared to be a legitimate contender until early November. There were some underlying things that might have made people question that, but for the most part it seemed reasonable to think that team was a contender.

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Both of those years, we opened impressively away from home vs. a P5 team. If we do that again...?

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That's true - I remember going into that Oregon-LSU game having no clue what would happen and LSU just knocking them out with punches left and right.