A classic late-season SEC showdown carries major College Football Playoff weight when the No. 14 LSU Tigers host the No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday. The Tigers enter at 6-2 overall (3-2 in conference) while the Crimson Tide are 6-2 (4-2 SEC). Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Alabama has dominated recent head-to-head meetings, winning the last three by double figures and 13 of the last 15 overall. Former Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, now LSU's head coach, is seeking his first victory over the Crimson Tide as a head coach (0-5 career). Meanwhile, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer holds a 2-0 record against LSU.
Alabama star receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams is expected to return after missing the past two games.
In the latest betting odds, LSU is a 6-point favorite with an over/under of 53.5 points. The money line lists LSU at -225 and Alabama at +195.
The SportsLine Projection Model, after simulating the game 10,000 times, leans toward the Over 53.5 points, projecting it as the value side 52% of the time. LSU boasts one of the nation's most explosive offenses, averaging 40.1 points per game behind quarterback Sam Leavitt (2,173 passing yards, 17 touchdowns). Alabama counters with quarterback Keelon Russell, who has thrown for 2,057 yards and 20 combined touchdowns. The model also indicates one side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations.
SportsLine's model entered Week 10 on an 80-77 run on all top-rated college football picks at betting sites.
