The LSU Tigers are 5-1 straight up in their last six games against the Auburn Tigers, and are heavily favored to win again Saturday in Baton Rouge. LSU is a 17.5-point favorite at home against an Auburn team that has lost six in a row there since 1999, according to the Odds Shark college football database.
Since passing its opening week test against the TCU Horned Frogs in a 37-27 win in Dallas, LSU has looked sharp in a pair of tune-up games against UAB and Kent State to start the year off with a 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS record.
After needing to rely heavily on just the running game in recent years, QB Zach Mettenberger seems to have found his groove in the Tigers' new offense, with nine passing touchdowns and no interceptions through the first three games of the season.
Auburn completed a game-ending touchdown drive with 10 seconds left on the clock to defeat Mississippi State 24-20 last week, improving to 3-0 SU on the year. The Tigers have leaned on three running backs so far this season in Corey Grant, Tre Mason, and Cameron Artis-Payne who have combined for 602 yards and five touchdowns.
Auburn has gotten off to a good start at home this season, but now the Tigers must go on the road, where they are 0-5 straight up in their last five road games and 1-6 against the spread in their last seven.
Over the last four meetings between these two SEC rivals, Auburn has managed to score more than 10 points only once;,and that was in 2010 with Cam Newton under center. LSU won its last home game against Auburn 45-10 in 2011, and also won in a 31-10 blowout at home in 2009.
It is hard to give up 17.5 points in a rivalry game, but with the way LSU's offense is clicking right now, there is no reason to believe that LSU won't roll here. Auburn has hardly looked dominant against weaker opponents this season, and will probably get a reality check on the road Saturday.
PICK: LSU -17.5 | Computer Prediction: 55-42 LSU (from OddsShark.com NCAA computer stats)
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