Brian Edwards, a long-time Las Vegas handicapper with an emphasis on SEC football, will provide his thoughts and insights on the line moves throughout the 2014 season. Edwards, a University of Florida graduate, is a weekly radio guest in Las Vegas, Omaha and Memphis and makes regular appearances on Chad Millman’s betting podcast on ESPN.com.

You can check out his work on Twitter or on his website, BrianEdwardsSports.com.

THURSDAY

LSU at Texas A&M
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Thursday Line: LSU -3 (opened -3)
Over/Under: 53 (opened 51)
Public: 67 percent Tigers

Edwards: “Missouri has been an underdog five times this season, going 4-1 both straight up and against the spread in those spots. The Tigers have won five consecutive games, prevailing by at least seven in each game and by double-digit margins three times. Mizzou QB Maty Mauk has regained his confidence, throwing seven TD passes compared to only one interception in the last four games. One last fact: It’s a short week, which is always advantageous to the home team because it doesn’t have to burn a day of preparation due to travel. I like the home underdog.

“I’ll give an ever-so-slight lean to Texas A&M on the side as a three-point home underdog. However, let’s be clear that I’m focused in on this total at 53 (52 yesterday). This is the lowest total Texas A&M has seen since taking on LSU on Oct. 20 of 2012. The Aggies didn’t have any totals in the 50s last season and they’ve only seen one this year. That was in their last outing when they lost 34-27 vs. Missouri with the 61 combined points jumping ‘over’ the 55.5-point total.
“Kevin Sumlin’s squad has seen its games average a combined score of 63.7 points per game. In nine of the Aggies’ 11 games, there have been 55 combined points or more. Even though LSU is a more low-scoring team than Texas A&M, it can run the ball effectively (with the exception of its game at Arkansas) and the Aggies’ have had a horrible run defense for two straight seasons. Give me the ‘over.'”
The Play: Over and very slight lean to Texas A&M.

FRIDAY

Arkansas at Missouri
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m.
Thursday Line: Arkansas -3 (opened -4)
Over/Under: 45 (opened 47)
Public: 59 percent Razorbacks

Edwards: “Arkansas has been made a surprising three-point favorite. I told several buddies in the industry that nobody in America wants to play Arkansas right now, and I meant that. Nevertheless, I don’t think the Razorbacks deserves the ‘chalk’ role on the road this week, especially with Brandon Allen on the mend from the hip injury suffered last week.

“All indications, however, from Bret Bielema’s presser after Wednesday’s practice indicate that Allen is on track to start and play. But let’s remember that these two victories over LSU and Ole Miss, albeit extremely impressive, did come at home.”

The Play: Missouri.