Arkansas vs Louisiana State Odds: Sanders Injury Has Razorbacks As Heavy Underdogs

The Line Continues to Move in the Favor of the Host LSU Tigers

Two of the SEC’s most talented quarterbacks will lead the way when Arkansas heads to Baton Rouge to face Louisiana State. Arkansas vs Louisiana State odds list the host Tigers as 17.5-point favorites.

The line opened with LSU favored by 12.5 points. Part of the reason for such a large spread is the Arkansas running back Raheim Sanders, who was second in the SEC in rushing a season ago, is questionable.

Three points have decided each of the last three games between the Razorbacks and Tigers.

Sanders missed the last game due to a knee issue, and he is questionable while receiver Sam Mbake will miss the season due to a knee injury. A.J. Green has stepped into the lead back role for Arkansas due to the injury to Sanders.

For LSU, safety Greg Brooks, running back Armoni Goodwin, linebacker Omar Speights and tight end Mason Taylor are all questionable. Speights and Brooks have combined for 17 tackles this season, while Taylor has five receptions.

When looking at the NCAA football scores, this is the first of three ranked teams that Arkansas will play in the next four games. Up next for LSU is a massive game at Ole Miss.

LSU came into the season fifth in the odds of winning the national title. The championship odds have moved from +1200 to +3500 while the odds for Arkansas have gone from +20000 to +50000.

When it comes to the NCAA football odds, only Georgia has better odds of winning the SEC title than LSU, with Arkansas well back in the championship odds.

LSU is ranked 12th in the Associated Press poll and is 13th in the coaches’ poll. Arkansas received one vote in the coaches poll.

Arkansas Getting Defensive

While much of the focus coming into the season was on quarterback KJ Jefferson and running back Raheim Sanders, the defense deserves some more attention, thanks to the Razorbacks’ ability to make splash plays.

Arkansas is tied for seventh nationally with 12 sacks and tied for 11th with five interceptions. That could play a role in the Arkansas vs Louisiana State odds.

Antonio Grier and Brad Spence have returned interceptions for touchdowns, while Landon Jackson has 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks for the Razorbacks.

Five of the last six games played by Arkansas finished over the total.

Daniels, Tigers Are Growling On Offense

LSU was sixth in the SEC in total offense and fourth in passing yards a season ago.

With the return of quarterback Jayden Daniels, the offense has taken the next step, and the Tigers head into the game, leading the SEC in yards per game. Perhaps that is why there is such a large number when it comes to the Arkansas vs Louisiana State odds.

The surge began late last season when LSU topped 500 yards in total offense in three of its last four games, and that included a 549-yard effort versus eventual national champion Georgia.

LSU was 3-3 a season ago when Daniels attempted at least 30 passes. This season, the Tigers are willing to put things on the shoulders of their quarterback.

Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas have combined for 44 catches and six touchdowns in the first three games of the season.

The total has gone over in each of the last seven games for LSU.

Last Meeting

Both the Razorbacks and Tigers were held under 300 yards of total offense, as the first touchdown wasn’t scored until 5:25 remained in the third quarter.

Jefferson missed the game for the Razorbacks and Daniels threw for less than 100 yards.

Visiting LSU was favored by five points and failed to cover for the fourth time in the last five meetings. Five of those six games landed under the total.

What to Expect

Look for Jefferson and Daniels to be front and center in this NCAAF matchup. They both rank in the top five in the SEC in completion percentage.

They have combined for 14 touchdown passes and just two interceptions. Daniels ran for two touchdowns against Mississippi State last week, while Jefferson has run for 20 touchdowns in his collegiate career.

The teams were just 10-for-31 on third downs, and each had two turnovers in the 2022 game.

Arkansas is 11-5-1 against the spread in its last 16 matchups with LSU, but the Razorbacks have lost 11 of their last 14 road games in the series.

LSU is 9-1 in its last 10 home games.

The 55.5-point total is the lowest since the 2018 game.

The Tigers covered in all three of its games last season as a home favorite, while Arkansas split its two games in 2022 as the road underdog.

The temperature is expected to be in the upper 80s with partly cloudy conditions at kickoff.

For NCAAF betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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