College Football Betting Preview LSU at Mississippi State Pick

Matt Flynn takes over at quarterback for the departed JaMarcus Russell and gets his first regular season start at Mississippi State on Thursday night for the second ranked LSU Tigers. Russell led LSU to an 11-2 record and a Sugar Bowl win over Notre Dame last season but the Tigers are expected to do even better without Russell as many people are predicting LSU will be in the national championship picture this year. They should not have much trouble on Thursday with Mississippi State. The Tigers have won seven straight from the Bulldogs by a total margin of 295-81. SBG Global reports that early betting has the public taking the favored LSU on the Road.

The Tigers have a lot of experience with 15 returning starters from a year ago. "It's going to be exciting to me to see where we are in the opener, because that really is the mark of where your football team is," said head coach Les Miles, "It is hopefully the low water mark of the year because you would like to think that in every week that improvement will continue."

Flynn is a big key for LSU. He has not started since the 2005 Peach Bowl and is being counted on to replace Russell. "I've learned a lot about myself, I've learned a lot about football," Flynn said. "I feel like I'm kind of a coach out on the field."

SBG Global Current Line: LSU -17.5 , Total 45.5

The Tigers may throw a little bit more than they did a year ago with super wide out Early Doucet catching a lot of balls. Last season, Doucet made 59 catches for 772 yards and eight touchdowns "We hope that maybe we can be a little different, maybe a little more productive, more efficient and win a championship," Miles said.

The strength of LSU should be the defense led by Glenn Dorsey. Cornerbacks Chevis Jackson and Johnathon Zenon also return to form a great secondary. LSU was first in defense last year in the SEC and third in the nation. "I love the team and we have prepared to be in that position," Dorsey said. "We understand the time is now. We have all the talent, the support staff and the coaches to do that." All three starting linebackers from a year ago are back, and Darry Beckwith is the leading returning tackler with 65 tackles.

Mississippi State returns nine offensive starters including quarterback Michael Henig but will have a tough time moving the ball against LSU.

The Bulldogs start their fourth season under head coach Sylvester Croom who may be starting his last season. The Bulldog fans and alumni want a winning team so the pressure is on Croom.

The Tigers are 80-28-5 in opening games. LSU holds a 64-33-3 lead in the all-time series with Mississippi State, including a 47-17 rout last season.

The Tigers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games as a road favorite of 10.5 or more. The Tigers are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 games as a road favorite. The Tigers are 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 road games overall. The Tigers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 conference games. The Tigers are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 meetings in Mississippi State and they are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 meetings overall. The Favorite is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings between the two teams.

The Bulldogs are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 conference games. The Bulldogs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog of 10.5 or more. The Bulldogs are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 games as an underdog. The Bulldogs are 4-11-1 ATS in their last 16 games on Grass. The Bulldogs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a home underdog. The Bulldogs are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games. The Bulldogs are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 Thursday games. The Bulldogs are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games in August.

The Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings at Mississippi State.

Pick under 45.5 2 units