College Football Picks: LSU vs. Texas A&M How To Bet The Total

Todays article we'll take a look at a game that has major implications in the SEC South standings, between #6 LSU and #20 Texas A&M. We'll focus strictly on the total here, as we will have a pick out on the spread later in the week as well.

An LSU total of 52.5? 

When was the last time you saw that in an SEC game? Not out of conference, but an SEC game? We'll tell you when, last year against Arkansas, December 25, which had a total of 53.5 and only went OVER because LSU dropped 41 points while holding Arkansas to 17. Anyhow, the point is, you just don't see this high of a total often in a SEC game involving LSU.

On the year the Tigers defense has been suffocating, giving up just 219 yards per game total! They give up 3.9 yards per play and just stuff opposing teams run games, limiting them to 89 yards a game for just 2.6 yards a carry. 

Their passing defense is just as good, if not better. Holding the opposition to just 130 yards through the air per game, limiting quarterbacks to just a 50% completion rate, while averaging 3 sacks per game. The Tigers have not given up more than 23 points all year long. 

Les Miles will take the ball out of Zack Mettenbergers hands 

There has been a lot of heat coming down on Zack for his poor play and it almost got worse last week as he threw a pick 6 to USC, which lead the Game Cocks to go into half time with a 7-3 lead. Luckily Mettenberger was bailed out big time by the running game. As we mentioned in our opening odds article, College Station is arguably one of the toughest and absolutely without a doubt the loudest places to play in the country.

Les is not going to let this kid, who has proven to fold under pressure like this, take any chances that could possibly hurt his team at all. He will hand the ball off every down until they get into 3^rd and short.  The stable of LSU backs are racking up an average of 205 yards per game, for almost 5 yards a rush. Meanwhile A&M is giving up over 130 yards on the ground so they will certainly have their hands full. But, most shops only have #3 LSU as 3.5 point odds favorites.

Ride the UNDER 

This is going to be a physical, hard hitting game that will be decided in the trenches. Both teams are coming off huge emotional wins and very well could come out flat the first half, having a huge effect on the total. With the LSU defense stifling the Aggies offense and Les Miles looking to pound the ball down A&Ms throat all game long, leading to the clock winding down all game long, we just don’t see this one going over the posted total.

College Football Picks: We recommend playing the UNDER 52.