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One of the SEC’s best rivalries doesn’t get much hype for a close game this fall.
Alabama opened as a 25-point favorite to beat LSU on Saturday night with the two programs going in different directions. The spread was wagered up to 28 points within an hour of its release at Circa Sports in Las Vegas.
This is by far the largest run in the Alabama-LSU series dating back at least to Saban’s arrival in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide have been favored in each of the last 12 regular season games, with the 2017 game having the biggest gap at 20.5 points.
The average lead in those 12 games was 8.6 points and Alabama was 7-5 ATS in regular season games dating back to 2008.
| Year | Alabama by | Blanket? |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5 | L |
| 2018 | 14 | W |
| 2017 | 20.5 | L |
| 2016 | seven | W |
| 2015 | 7.5 | W |
| 2014 | 6.5 | W |
| 2013 | 14 | W |
| 2012 | seven | L |
| 2011 | 5.5 | L |
| 2010 | 6.5 | L |
| 2009 | seven | W |
| 2008 | 3 | W |
| Average | 8.6 |
Alabama were originally a 22-point favorite to beat LSU when the game was originally scheduled for November 14.
The first Tide (8-0) just beat Auburn 42-13 with one of the most explosive offenses in the country.
LSU is 3-4 after a 20-7 loss to Texas A&M in a season where it alternates wins and losses every week. Alabama beat each of the four teams with wins over the Tigers, who lost to Auburn 48-11 on October 31.
Then came the news on Sunday that LSU main receiver Terrace Marshall withdraws for the rest of the season. He has 48 catches for 731 yards and 10 touchdowns for an LSU offense that struggled without the firepower that led the program to a national title and a 45-41 victory over Alabama last season.
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on twitter @ByCasagrande Or on Facebook.
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