2015
LSU Tigers
College Football
Betting Preview
Odds and Schedule
In the stacked SEC West, LSU is probably one of the harder teams to predict. While we know the Tigers are going to be a good team, it’s hard to gauge exactly where this team is headed. Everyone in the Conference is trending up, but LSU went the other way last year and finished 4-4 in Conference play.
5 dimes sportsbook lists LSU at odds of 10 to 1 to win the SEC and 30 to 1 to win the National Title.
The main reason for these questions falls to one position and it’s the most important one: quarterback. The Tigers were terrible last year passing the ball, finishing with only 163 yards per Game, 116th in the nation. With the same guys in contention, it’s likely that problem will persist. It’s a head-to-head battle between Anthony Jennings (last year’s starter) and Brandon Harris. Harris’ stat line looks decent from last year, but that’s because most of those numbers came against New Mexico State in a rout. He followed that up with a 3-of-14 showing at Auburn.
If they can get better production at quarterback, there’s no telling how good LSU can be, because this offense has the players elsewhere to be a solid group. Their offensive line looks to be set after the spring Game and Leonard Fournette will be in for a great season at running back. since he’s going to be getting a ton of touches, he could even find himself in Heisman talks early in the season. Travin Dural is back as the No. 1 wide receiver, while DJ Chark, a spring surprise, is set to line up opposite of him.
Another question for the Tigers is on the defensive side where Kevin Steele is the team’s new defensive coordinator, after a couple years at Alabama. Losing former coordinator John Chavis isn’t going to be an easy transition. LSU still has plenty of talent for Steele to work with no matter what scheming he plans to do with the group. They are always a solid defensive team, and once again will have one of the best secondaries in the nation. The front seven also has plenty of players returning and will be anchored by inside linebacker Kendell Beckwith, who could be in line for a huge season.
If LSU figures out its quarterback situation, this is a team that could fight for the SEC West title. But if they have the same kind of trouble as last season, expect another up-and-down season.
It doesn’t help that the Tigers have to travel to Mississippi State in their second Game, then host Auburn the next weekend. Even a road Game at Syracuse won’t be easy. A test against the Bulldogs in their second Game will tell a lot about where the offense is at. Their other SEC road Games include South Carolina, Alabama and Ole Miss. With just a little more consistency from quarterback, LSU could be back in the double-digit win area, but if not, they could easily lose all of their SEC road Games, or even at home to the likes of Auburn or Arkansas.
2015 LSU Football Schedule
Sept. 5 vs. McNeese State
Sept 12 at Mississippi State
Sept. 19 vs. Auburn
Sept. 26 at Syracuse
Oct. 3 vs. Eastern Michigan
Oct. 10 at South Carolina
Oct. 17 vs. Florida
Oct. 24 vs. Western Kentucky
Nov. 7 at Alabama
Nov. 14 vs. Arkansas
Nov. 21 at Ole Miss
Nov. 28 vs. Texas A&M