Alabama vs. LSU Prediction: Picks, Props and Best Bets (Nov. 7)

Alabama vs LSU Picks in Summary

• LSU Over 30.5 Team Points (-108)
• Keelon Russell Under 237.5 Passing Yards (-114)

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Two SEC rivals square off in Baton Rouge on Saturday as No. 15 LSU hosts No. 9 Alabama in a matchup with major College Football Playoff implications. Both teams enter the contest with 6-2 records, making this a pivotal game for their postseason aspirations.

LSU's explosive offense will look to take advantage of an Alabama defense that has shown some vulnerabilities while the Crimson Tide will have their hands full against one of the nation's stingiest defensive units.

With that in mind, let's break down the best bets for LSU vs. Alabama.

All college football odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook and may change after this article is published.

Alabama vs LSU Picks and Prediction

LSU Over 30.5 Team Points (-108)

LSU has been one of the most productive offensive teams in the country this season, and there's reason to believe the Tigers can continue their scoring success against Alabama.

LSU enters Saturday averaging 40.1 points and 510.0 total yards per game, ranking among the top 10 nationally in both categories. The Tigers have scored at least 31 points in seven of their eight games, including 35 against Texas A&M, 31 against Mississippi State, and 38 against Auburn over their past four contests.

Quarterback Sam Leavitt has been instrumental in that success, throwing for 2,173 yards and 17 touchdowns while completing 70.3% of his passes. LSU has been particularly effective through the air, averaging 317.9 passing yards per game.

Although Alabama has a talented defense, its pass defense hasn't been especially impressive. The Crimson Tide are allowing 222.4 passing yards per game and 7.8 yards per attempt, ranking outside the top 80 nationally in both categories. They've also surrendered 20-plus-yard completions on 25 occasions.

LSU's ability to move the ball through the air, combined with its 51.7% third-down conversion rate, should create opportunities for sustained drives and scoring chances. With the Tigers averaging 40.1 points per game and playing in front of their home crowd, there's a strong argument for backing their team total over 30.5 points.

Keelon Russell Under 237.5 Passing Yards (-114)

Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell has put together a productive first season as the Crimson Tide's starter, but Saturday's matchup against LSU presents one of his toughest challenges yet.

Russell has thrown for 2,057 yards and 15 touchdowns through eight games, averaging 257.1 passing yards per contest. However, his production has fluctuated considerably against stronger competition.

In Alabama's loss to Georgia, Russell completed 16 of 30 passes for just 185 yards. He followed that performance with an even tougher outing on the road against Tennessee, finishing with 147 passing yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions. That's 166.0 passing yards per game across those two contests.

LSU's defense has the personnel to create problems for the Bama offense. The Tigers are allowing just 172.8 passing yards per game, ranking 13th nationally, and have surrendered only 16.0 points per contest. They're also holding opponents to 258.3 total yards per game, the fifth-best mark in the country.

LSU's ability to generate negative plays could be especially important against an Alabama offensive line that has — at times — struggled with pass protection. Russell was sacked nine times combined in the losses to Georgia and Tennessee, and consistent pressure could limit his opportunities to attack downfield.

Although Russell threw for 311 yards against Texas A&M in his most recent outing, LSU represents a much more difficult matchup statistically. With the Tigers' strong pass defense and ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks, Russell could struggle to reach 238 passing yards on Saturday.

College Football Betting FAQ

What are the most common college football bets?

The most common college football bets are the point spread, moneyline, and game total. Bettors can also wager on player props, team totals, alternate spreads, and futures such as conference champions or the national championship winner.

How does the point spread work in college football betting?

The point spread gives one team a handicap to create a more even betting market. If a team is listed at -7.5, it must win by at least eight points for a spread bet on that team to cash. A team listed at +7.5 can lose by seven points or fewer — or win outright — and still cover the spread.

What does over/under mean in college football?

An over/under, also called a game total, is a wager on the combined number of points scored by both teams. Bettors can choose whether the final score will finish over or under the sportsbook's posted total.

What should you consider before betting on college football?

Matchups, quarterback play, offensive and defensive efficiency, injuries, pace, home-field advantage, and coaching tendencies can all be important.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.