LSU vs. Mississippi State: Prediction and odds for Week 3 clash

It’s been a mixed bag for LSU to start the season. The Tigers opened things up with a heartbreaking one-point loss to Florida State in New Orleans before obliterating Southern, 65-17, the following weekend. Now, Brian Kelly and his staff are preparing their team to begin SEC play. First up on the Southeastern Conference schedule for the Bayou Bengals is Mississippi State.

The Bulldogs come into Death Valley for a Week 3 clash against LSU. The last time Mike Leach and his team were in town, they ruined the Tigers’ 2019 National Championship celebrations by earning their first win at Tiger Stadium since 2014. It was Ed Orgeron’s squad who emerged victorious following this match-up last season though. While the Bayou Bengals may have a completely different look this year, they’ll be hoping for the same result on Saturday.

LSU vs. Mississippi State odds for Week 3 college football match-up

For the first time this season, Kelly’s team will head into a contest as the underdog, according to Vegas. This should come as no surprise considering it’s the beginning of SEC play, which means tougher opposition for the Tigers across the board.

Mississippi State has won convincingly against its last two opponents, both from “power five” conferences. Therefore, the Bulldogs head into Death Valley as a 2.5-point favorite over LSU on FanDuel Sportsbook.

This will be music to Tiger fans’ ears as their beloved team has a chance to make them some serious money this weekend. You can grab a bet on the spread either way at -110, whereas the moneyline has some plus juice for the LSU faithful. A bet on Kelly’s team to win outright has odds of +112. Meanwhile, the over/under is set at 53.5 (O -108, U -112).

LSU vs. Mississippi State prediction for Week 3 college football match-up

The Tigers are about to face their biggest test of the year. If they thought Jordan Travis and Florida State had a great rushing attack, just wait for what Will Rogers and the Bulldogs have in store for them. Mississippi State’s passing attack is ruthless, so LSU’s defense must come prepared. Luckily, the secondary has been a major strength—despite concerns in the summer—for the Tigers up to this point in the year.

I think this will be an offensive shootout given all of the weapons available to each quarterback. Not to mention the talent of two of the SEC’s best quarterbacks themselves.

LSU will need to come up with some big plays on third down if it wants to stay in this game, which is where the concern comes in. The Bulldogs will kill you with clock management. If the Tigers don’t get many opportunities with the ball in their hands, the possibility of them dropping to 1-2 on the season becomes significantly greater. Defensive Coordinator Matt House and Kelly have a huge task ahead of them in Leach’s complex air-raid offense.

This game is honestly too close to call. Mississippi State is a lot better than many around the country give them credit for, but so is LSU. There is never much to separate things when these two sides get together, it likely won’t be any different on Saturday.