The LSU Tigers are set to battle the Houston Cougars in the Texas Bowl on Saturday night. LSU finished the regular season with a 7-5 record (3-5 SEC), while Houston completed a 9-3 regular season (6-3 Big 12) and is currently ranked as the No. 21 team in the country in the College Football Playoff rankings.
Latest portal update brings even more question marks to LSU's offensive line
After such a tumultuous regular season, interim head coach Frank Wilson to looking to end the 2025 campaign on a high note. Wilson is 2-2 as LSU's interim head coach following the firing of Brian Kelly back on October 26, and is looking to lead the Tigers to their second consecutive Texas Bowl victory before the Lane Kiffin era ramps up even more.
As kick-off draws nearer, here is a look at the updated LSU vs Houston betting odds for the Texas Bowl, as well as a score prediction.
LSU vs Houston betting odds
Professional oddsmakers are expecting a close game. The line initially opened with Houston favored by 3 points, but LSU has since closed the gap. As of 10:00 a.m. CT on Saturday, December 27, Houston is favored by just 1.5 points over LSU. When it comes to the moneyline, both LSU and Houston have odds of -115, essentially making this matchup a pick'em.
Spread
- LSU +1.5 (-118)
- Houston -1.5 (-102)
Moneyline
- LSU (-110)
- Houston (-110)
Total
- 41.5 (Over -112, Under -108)
LSU vs Houston prediction
The LSU offense has struggled all season long. The Tigers ranked 15th in the SEC by averaging just 21.8 points per game, and never scored more than 25 points against an FBS opponent. LSU's offensive ceiling could now be even lower in this one, as several opt-outs have Frank Wilson's team shorthanded offensively.
The offensive line is a major concern, which could put Michael Van Buren in duress early and often. LSU has managed just 16.3 points per game in Van Buren’s 3 starts down the stretch, and with the opt-outs limiting their ceiling even more, it seems unlikely that the Tigers will light up the scoreboard in this one.
On the other side, the Houston Cougars are off to a great start in the Willie Fritz era. Fritz brought in Conner Weigman to be his QB1, and he put together the best season of his collegiate career. Weigman threw for 2,475 yards and 21 touchdowns with 9 interceptions while adding 644 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. The Tigers struggled against mobile QBs all season long, and Weigman's dual-threat ability gives the LSU defense a lot to worry about.
To make matters worse, LSU's defense will be without several impact players including Harold Perkins, Whit Weeks, Wes Weeks, Mansoor Delane, AJ Haulcy and Jack Pyburn, which could give plenty of opportunities to the Cougars. Overall, Houston has far fewer opt-outs and is in a much more stable position, which may be too much for LSU to overcome.
Score prediction: Houston wins 21-16