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"Expert" Predictions for this Weekend's Games (FoxSports, CBS, Sporting News, etc.)
Posted on 10/31/18 at 10:43 am
Posted on 10/31/18 at 10:43 am
I always find these pretty interesting. Most sites make their predictions on Thursday, but there are a couple that have already released some. I'll update this thread as more websites make their picks.
247Sports
247Sports
quote:
ALABAMA -13.5 AT LSU
Hummer: That’s really appetizing line when you consider Alabama’s history in Baton Rouge. You’d have to go back to 2002 – when Nick Saban coached the Tigers – to find more than a 10-point win for the Tide on the road in this series. Death Valley is a difficult place to play, and it makes a difference on the scoreboard – the noise is impossible to simulate. Alabama is better team, and I don’t think the Tigers’ offense can keep up here. But I do like the Tigers to cover … Alabama 31, LSU 20.
Crawford: LSU hasn't given up 30 points in 18 games, the longest streak in college football, but that changes on Saturday night in a game that stays relatively close for 2.5 quarters. Tua Tagovailoa will toss his first interception, but the LSU offense isn't going to be able to sustain enough drives to keep the nation's top offense at bay. The Crimson Tide covers in a physical affair ... Alabama 34, LSU 17.
4
Posted on 10/31/18 at 10:47 am to TideSaint
I actually didn't know that they had kept teams to under 30 points in 18 straight games. Impressive! But that streak is definitely coming to an end on Saturday.
Posted on 10/31/18 at 10:49 am to DeeBeepy
Sporting News (Against the Spread)
quote:
No. 1 Alabama (-14) at No. 4 LSU
What are we supposed to do here? We know Alabama has won the last three meetings in Baton Rouge by an average of seven points per game, but we also know the Crimson Tide hasn't had an offense quite like this. This is the biggest game between the two since 2012, and the Tigers will empty out all their tricks. If they can survive the first half without star linebacker Devin White, then the second half could get interesting. We can't bet against the Tide right now. Alabama wins 34-17 and COVERS the spread.
Posted on 11/1/18 at 7:40 am to TideSaint
BamaOnline
quote:
Alabama (8-0, 5-0) at LSU (7-1, 4-1), 7 p.m. CDT on CBS.
Alabama -14 1/2, o-u 53 1/2.
Wait! Is this right? LSU quarterback Joe Burrow didn’t pass for a touchdown last month? O for October? The Tigers aren’t a big play offensive team with only 10 plays over 40 yards this year. Ah, but defense. That’s another matter. LSU has allowed only four plays over 40 yards. In a harsh environment against an excellent secondary (LSU has 14 interceptions this year) Bama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa faces his toughest opposition. But Tagovailoa has performed on the big stage. Additionally, Alabama has a pretty good defense and the most productive offense in college football. Look for Alabama to run the ball effectively, and then for Tagovailoa to do what he does. We do predict he’ll have to play in the fourth quarter, though. Alabama 31, LSU 13.
Posted on 11/1/18 at 7:44 am to TideSaint
Sporting News (Straight Up)
quote:
No. 1 Alabama (-14) at No. 4 LSU
Welcome to the single-most important game of the week: a matchup that not only could decide the SEC West champion, but also one (or both) of the SEC’s representatives in the Playoff. Alabama — led by Heisman front runner Tua Tagovailoa and his 25-0 touchdown-interception ratio — is torching opponents to the tune of a nation-leading 54.1 points a game. LSU is tied for the nation’s lead with 14 interceptions and gives up a paltry 15.1 points per contest. Something has to give. The difference in this game could come down to how LSU’s offense handles a Tide D that has seemed vulnerable (comparatively) at times this season. Unfortunately for the Tigers, they rank outside the top 40 in every major offensive metric (including 86th in total offense and 102nd in pass offense). Alabama might not have the same dominant defense, but if it can fluster Joe Burrow, this game should go the Tide’s way. Alabama 35, LSU 20
Posted on 11/1/18 at 7:47 am to TideSaint
Seems to be somewhat of a consensus so far with Alabama winning in the low 30s to the 17-20 range. Right about where I think it ends up too.
Posted on 11/1/18 at 7:47 am to TideSaint
From the Rumble Seat
quote:
#1 Alabama Crimson Tide (-15) @ #3 LSU Tigers
Seven years ago, these two met as #1 and #2 in the so-called Game of the Century, and.... look, you know what’s happened since. It’s a nice long string of Ls for LSU. LLLLLLLSU, if I felt like making the easy joke. So hey, Alabama’s #1 this time.... again, and LSU is #3, which is close enough to #2, right? Sure, except Bama’s only gotten better and better. The Tide have tended to simply slowly crush the life out of their opponents in years past, but with Tua Tagovailoa behind center they’ve discovered the novel concept of offense and have happily switched settings to “obliterate”. They’re favored by two scores against the #3 team. Let the sun consume us before the Tide do.
Illuminati pick: Alabama
Posted on 11/1/18 at 7:48 am to TideSaint
Bleacher Report
quote:
No. 1 Alabama (-14.5) at No. 3 LSU (8 p.m., CBS)
The prevailing thought surrounding Week 10's marquee matchup is that Alabama deserves to be favored by double digits until it shows any signs of weakness.
Although the 14.5-point line seems enormous for a clash between No. 1 and No. 3, it's been based off the recent history of the rivalry and the numbers put up by both offenses this season.
Alabama enters Tiger Stadium with a seven-game winning streak over LSU, dating back to the 2012 BCS National Championship.
Nick Saban's team won five of the seven games by a double-digit margin, and it's taken the matchup by a combined score of 34-10 over the past two seasons.
No matter who has started at quarterback for the Tigers, they have been unable to put up consistent offensive numbers against the Crimson Tide.
The highest point total recorded by the Tigers against the Crimson Tide during their losing streak is 17, which was their total in 2012 and 2013.
On paper, the offensive matchup leans heavily in Alabama's direction, as the Crimson Tide rank first in points per game and second in total offense and yards per game.
Conversely, LSU ranks 61st in points per game at close to 24 less than Alabama, and the Tigers average 180 fewer yards than the Crimson Tide.
The only way LSU comes out on top Saturday is if it turns the contest into a defensive struggle, and while the Tigers may be able to hold out for a half, Alabama will overpower them like it has in the past.
Alabama 34, LSU 17
Posted on 11/1/18 at 7:50 am to TideSaint
Posted on 11/1/18 at 8:45 am to TideSaint
Another one from Bleacher Report
quote:
No. 1 Alabama (8-0) at No. 4 LSU (7-1), 8 p.m. ET
With or without Devin White, Alabama would be the pick. However, the half-long targeting suspension for the dominant LSU linebacker only adds to the difficulty the Tigers will encounter against QB Tua Tagovailoa and a blazing Crimson Tide offense.
Prediction: Alabama 34, LSU 20
Posted on 11/1/18 at 9:24 am to TideSaint
ESPN
quote:
Andrea Adelson: Alabama 37-20
Joel Anderson: Alabama 35-20
Edward Aschoff: Alabama 31-17
Kyle Bonagura: Alabama 42-24
Heather Dinich: Alabama 21-13
David Hale: Alabama 31-13
Sam Khan Jr.: Alabama 34-19
Chris Low: Alabama 38-21
Ivan Maisel: Alabama 31-17
Ryan McGee: Alabama 21-17
Dan Murphy: Alabama 42-28
Adam Rittenberg: Alabama 27-20
Alex Scarborough: Alabama 27-13
Mark Schlabach: Alabama 24-10
Jake Trotter: Alabama 30-16
Tom VanHaaren: Alabama 37-21
Posted on 11/1/18 at 9:37 am to TideSaint
quote:
Alabama 21-17
that score would possibly cause me a heart attack at some point in the course of the game...and i'm way too young for that
Posted on 11/1/18 at 10:26 am to TideSaint
quote:
Heather Dinich: Alabama 21-13
We can all rest easy now that this "Expert" has weighed in.
Posted on 11/1/18 at 10:41 am to FairhopeTider
I think we score in the low 30s on offense, but I think we will get at least one defensive or special teams touchdown. We are actually the most opportunitic secondary in the sec, we just haven't played fitzgerald the int machine yet. What's more likely, tua throwing an int or burrows throwing an int? Burrows is going to have our dline in his face every play, tuas going to have a comparatively clean pocket
This post was edited on 11/1/18 at 10:42 am
Posted on 11/1/18 at 11:04 am to narddogg81
Posted on 11/1/18 at 11:09 am to narddogg81
quote:
I think we score in the low 30s on offense, but I think we will get at least one defensive or special teams touchdown. We are actually the most opportunitic secondary in the sec, we just haven't played fitzgerald the int machine yet. What's more likely, tua throwing an int or burrows throwing an int? Burrows is going to have our dline in his face every play, tuas going to have a comparatively clean pocket
Another poster theorized that LSU would need to be +3 in turnovers to win this game and I think he is right.
Posted on 11/1/18 at 11:56 am to TideSaint
With a 14 point spread and an O/U around 54, Vegas is basically calling for a 34-20 game which falls right in line with all these predictions.
Posted on 11/1/18 at 12:19 pm to TideSaint
quote:
LLLLLLLSU, if I felt like making the easy joke
That's awesome. Might have to use that instead of 7SU.
Posted on 11/1/18 at 12:21 pm to FairhopeTider
Dinich is a lowkey Bama Hater.
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