• The MGM sportsbook took a high-five-figure bet on Alabama minus-6.5 from a sharp bettor Thursday, pushing the line up to minus-7, according to vice president of race and sports Jay Rood. "The public seems to be lining up a little on LSU right now," Rood added. The MGM was the only Vegas book at Alabama minus-7 as of Friday morning. • There is a 100 percent chance of rain Saturday in Tuscaloosa, but accumulation is expected to be less than an inch. The Weather.com forecast calls for temperatures in the upper 60s, with winds between 10-15 mph. • As of late Thursday afternoon, 60 percent of the money bet and 69 percent of all bets are on LSU at William Hill, according to director of marketing Michael Grodsky. • The early money was on LSU at Caesars sportsbook. The line dropped all the way down to minus-5.5 earlier in the week, but supervisor Bismarck Leon said Thursday that some Alabama money had arrived. As of Thursday morning, the largest bet Caesars had taken was a $4,000 bet on LSU on the money line. Alabama is around a minus-300 favorite on the money line at most books. • According to the Sagarin Ratings, Alabama has played the ninth-toughest schedule. LSU has played the 37th-toughest schedule. • The Wynn opened Alabama as a 6.5-point favorite Sunday. The line has ticked up to minus-7 a couple of times but was sitting at minus-6.5 Friday morning. "Action is minimal right now," Wynn executive director John Avello said. "Wise guys don't know what to do with it. The public isn't going to bet it until Saturday. It's just kind of sitting there." • Before the season, the Golden Nugget had Alabama as a 9-point favorite over LSU in the book's Games of the Year, which are open from mid-June until the season kicks off. • LSU running back Leonard Fournette leads the nation in rushing, averaging 193.1 yards per game. Alabama is third in the nation in rushing defense, allowing only 78.5 yards on the ground per game. • Alabama running back Derrick Henry is 10th in the nation in rushing, averaging 130.5 yards per game. LSU is sixth in the nation in run defense, allowing 93.7 yards on the ground per game. • Alabama has 13 draft-eligible NFL prospects, according to ESPN's Todd McShay. LSU has 10. • LSU coach Les Miles is 66-68 ATS for his career. • Alabama coach Nick Saban is 134-109 ATS for his career. • Saban has won six of nine games against Miles-coached LSU teams, including the past four. The Tide are 4-3-2 ATS in those nine games. • Both teams are coming off a bye. Saban is 33-33 ATS while Miles is 21-15 ATS, both with more than a week to prepare. • The nine meetings between Saban and Miles have averaged 41 total points. • Five of LSU's six completed games went over the total. • Alabama starting right tackle Dominick Jackson (ankle) is a game-time decision, and is expected to be limited if he plays. • LSU is getting healthy. After missing the Oct. 24th game against Western Kentucky, cornerback Tre'Davious White, defensive tackle Christian LaCoutureand fullback John David Moore all practiced this week and are expected to play. • LSU quarterback Brandon Harris has not thrown an interception in 128 attempts this season. • Alabama quarterback Jake Coker has thrown seven interceptions in 224 attempts this season. • Alabama is 1-5 ATS at home this season. http://espn.go.com/chalk/story/_/id...ng-nuggets-lsu-tigers-vs-alabama-crimson-tide
I wonder how the gumps' schedule rates tougher than ours. We beat Fl a top 10 team and Miss State a top 25 team (moving up). Those are tougher opponents and better wins than any of Alabama's. Also WKy and Syracuse are decent wins.
Was rated better before the season started. Georgia was supposed to be good. Tennessee was supposed to be better and they were almost good enough 2 weeks ago. Wisconsin vs Syracuse is a no brainer. As things have played out, Gumps schedule is no tougher than LSU's.
Let's see. 2014 LSU comes into the Bama game scoring right at 33 points per game: 13 against the Tide. 2013 LSU comes into the Bama game scoring right at 40 points per game: 17 against the Tide. 2012 was a bit different with LSU averaging just under 28 points per game: 17 against the Tide. There's empirical data showing the Bama defense is a strength and the offensive success LSU has enjoyed against other teams doesn't fit when it applies to this game. The Florida game is the anomaly this season for LSU. That was a home game. I'm skeptical Harris can continue what he's been doing against this defense. Away game, at night, against what's likely the best defense he's going to face this season.
I saw someone post that the rain is supposed to be ending around 6'ish ... Been repping with the 1's since Weds.
