LSU at Florida: Prediction and odds for Week 7 College Football

LSU has been beaten twice this season, both times in heartbreaking fashion. The loss to Florida State in Week 1 was a close game, but the same cannot be said about the Bayou Bengals’ most recent performance. The Tigers were soundly beaten at home, 40-13, against one of the best teams in the country, the Tennessee Volunteers.

Brian Kelly’s team is currently sitting at 4-2 overall (2-1 in Southeastern Conference play) as it prepares for its second true road trip of the season. LSU travels to the Swamp to take on Billy Napier’s Florida. The Gators—who also lost to the Vols—are looking for a ‘pick me up’ win in this massive rivalry to revive their season. Both programs need a victory, so who will come out on top after the hard-fought contest?

Here are the official odds (via FanDuel Sportsbook) for the upcoming matchup between LSU and Florida, as well as a prediction for the contest:

LSU at Florida odds for Week 7 college football match-up

How do oddsmakers decide the spread for a rivalry game between two of the most inconsistent sides in all of college football? Well, you favor the home team by a field goal simply due to the location! The Tigers have been given three points against Florida. The line has continued to move in favor of the Gators after opening at -2.5 and moving to -3 as of Wednesday evening.

Truth be told there’s not much value on any of the gamelines for this contest. A bet on Florida moneyline locks in at -142 right now; whereas there’s little return on picking the Tigers on the road either (+118). The total is set at 52.5 with both the over and under odds sitting currently at -110. Thankfully for those interested in placing wagers on this game, FanDuel has alternate lines and prop bets. That’s where the real value is on Saturday.

LSU at Florida prediction for Week 7 college football match-up

If the two teams weren’t inconsistent enough by themselves, they’ll now square off head-to-head in one of the most unpredictable rivalries in the country. It’s always a doozie when Florida and LSU get together. Judging by the past, this matchup will be no different.

The Gators and Tigers are—unfortunately—a lot more similar than both sets of fans would like to admit. They’re both in a bit of a transitional period for starters. But peeling back a layer of the onion reveals the teams are a spitting image of each other.

Kelly and Napier’s teams both have exceptional defenses and struggling offenses. Despite the inability to move the ball downfield with any sort of consistency, Florida and LSU have quarterbacks who are more than capable of changing the game in the blink of an eye. The strengths and weaknesses are almost identical.

Special teams plays have often been the deciding factor when these two foes butt heads. Isn’t that right, Josh Jasper and Trent Domingue? Unfortunately, this is the Tigers’ biggest flaw.

This is a big chance for LSU to bounce back from an embarrassing defeat last weekend. I won’t take the Bayou Bengals until they prove to me that they can look competent on special teams though. I like Florida to win this game by less than a touchdown because I have no faith in LSU at this moment in time. If the Tigers play like they did against Mississippi State though, they’ll take care of business in a hostile environment.