College football picks, Week 10: LSU vs. Alabama prediction, odds, spread, game preview, more

Two SEC titans will renew their rivalry under the lights in Tuscaloosa tonight as the No. 14 LSU Tigers will visit the No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide. The game will kick off at 7:45 p.m. ET and will air on CBS.

LSU (6-2, 4-1 SEC) is coming off its bye week and will be looking to grab control of the SEC West with what they hope will be a second straight victory over the Tide.. The Tigers have rattled off three straight wins since their loss to Ole Miss just over one month ago and were last seen throttling Army in a 62-0 shutout. Receivers Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers combined for seven receptions for 143 yards and four touchdowns in the win.

Alabama (7-1, 5-0 SEC) is also fresh off a bye and will looking to keep the momentum rolling with a victory over its nemesis from Baton Rouge. Early-season obituaries about this year’s team were premature as the Crimson Tide have rattled off six straight victories and last stormed back against rival Tennessee in a 34-20 victory. Running back Jase McClellan was the workhorse with 27 carries for 115 yards and a touchdown against the Vols.

SP+ Rankings

LSU: 12 overall, 3 offense, 42 defense
Alabama: 6 overall, 18 offense, 6 defense

Injury update

LSU

CB Zy Alexander - Out indefinitely (Undisclosed)

Alabama

No injuries to report

ATS/Total

Against The Spread in 2023

LSU: 5-3 ATS
Alabama: 5-3 ATS

Total in 2023

LSU: Over 8-0
Alabama: Over 5-2-1

Team Pace

LSU: 2.24 plays per minute of offense
Alabama: 2.07 plays per minute of offense

Odds at DraftKings Sportsbook

Spread: Alabama -3
Total: 61.5
Moneyline: Alabama -162, LSU +136

Opening line: Alabama -4
Opening total: 59

Weather

Our Best Bet for LSU vs. Alabama

LSU +3

This rivalry is always fun to watch just because it always exudes a big fight feel. Both of these teams are coming off a bye and both are feeling good right now after being written off earlier in the season.

LSU will be facing the toughest defense they’ll easily face all year with Alabama yielding just 4.54 ypp and averaging 7.1 TFLs per game. However, the Tigers are entering this game with the most explosive offense in the country, averaging 552.9 yards per game and 8.09 yards per play. They also have the best third-down conversion % in the nation at 57.8%. Some of those stats may be inflated by the Army game two weeks ago, but it still counts!

Now, I do think Jalen Milroe and Jase McClellan will be able to run a little bit on an LSU defense that has had its flaws throughout the season. But if it gets down to a track meet, I trust Jayden Daniels and the Tigers’ skill position players to make plays than the Crimson Tide’s. Give me LSU to cover and win in a hostile environment tonight.