Miami Hurricanes vs LSU Tigers CFB Odds, Betting Preview 9/2/18

College football betting preview for Sunday as we take a look at a battle between the Miami Hurricanes of the ACC and the LSU Tigers of the SEC. this contest has a start time of 7:30 pm ET and will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. These teams last met back in 2005 and the Tigers won that game by a score of 40-3.  

Lines:  Miami -3.5… Over/Under 46.5

A Look At The Hurricanes

Miami went a strong 10-3 last year overall but did lose to Wisconsin in the Orange Bowl by a score of 34-24. They are set up to have a solid season and many feel that they could challenge for a playoff spot. The Canes have 14 starters back this year, including QB Malik Rosier, who threw for 3120 yards with 26 TDs and 14 INTs last year. He should have a solid season again as eight of his top 10 pass targets are back from a season ago. Travis Homer will also return after rushing for 966 yards and eight TDs last year. This offense will top the 29.1 ppg they put up last year.  

On defense, they have their top five tacklers back from last year and are armed with the 7th best linebacking corp in the nation. Miami has allowed just 18.5 ppg and 21 ppg the last two year and this defense has a chance to be better than those two units. Mark Richt is in his 3rd year and he has his best team yet. This game will be a test as the Tigers could be a bit underrated this year. Still, this is a deep and talented team.            

A Look At the Tigers

LSU went 9-4 a year ago and lost to the Irish by a score of 21-17 in the Citrus Bowl. They have some holes to fill as five starters are back on each side of the ball.  QB Danny Etling is gone and Joe Burrow is slated to take over the duties. He has a good arm and is mobile, but the Tigers have lost their top three receivers from a year ago, so the weapons are not really there. The Tigers have also lost their top three ball carriers from a season ago. That is a lot of offense to replace but still, they have solid incoming recruits and a very good offensive line. This offense may not slip that much, but it will slip from the 27.2 ppg they put up last year.

The defense has three of their top four tacklers back, but overall, they have just 20 of 34 lettermen back on this side of the ball. Despite that, they do have the top-rated secondary and 2nd rated linebacking corps in the SEC. The defense will be solid and will have to lead the team until the offense catches up. LSU had a nice recruiting class, but it may take some time for the young players to gel, especially on offense. Still, the defense is strong and it will be that defense that gives them a chance to win every time they take the field. The key matchup will be this defense vs that high-powered Miami offense.   

Trends

Miami is:

5-1 ATS in their last 6 games in September

1-7 ATS in their last 8 neutral site games

LSU is:

6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall

1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. the ACC