LSU is set to feature in multiple highly-anticipated games in 2024, and a few them are already receiving action in the betting market.
Game lines from mid-June will certainly shift before the day of the game, but they can serve as a notable data point for how LSU — and its opponents — is being perceived by sportsbooks ahead of the 2024 season.
These lines are also a potential opportunity for sports bettors who may see some extra value on the preseason lines. Here’s a look at a few early betting lines for some of LSU’s marquee games in 2024:
Sept. 1: LSU (-6) vs. USC (neutral site) | DraftKings
LSU will meet USC in Vegas on Sunday night of Week 1 to help open the college football season. This figures to be one of the most intriguing matchups for all of Week 1 and could have College Football Playoff implications down the line.
This will be the first meeting between these programs since 1984. They’ve met twice previously, with each program winning once.
LSU has been pretty good against the spread under Brian Kelly. In 23 FBS regular-season games over the past 2 seasons, the Tigers are 13-10 against the number. Meanwhile, USC is 11-14 against the spread over the same span with Lincoln Riley as head coach.
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Oct. 12: LSU (-2.5) vs. Ole Miss | BetMGM
LSU is a short favorite against Ole Miss at home in mid-October. Ole Miss is entering this season with hopes of competing for the national championship, and a trip to Death Valley could certainly have an impact on Playoff seeding for either team.
LSU has dominated this series over the last decade or so, but it was Ole Miss who came away victorious in 2023. Going to Baton Rouge and coming away with a win has proven to be much more difficult historically, however. Ole Miss hasn’t won at LSU since 2008.
If the line holds here, it would be the 3rd year in a row that LSU and Ole Miss are separated by less than a field goal in the betting markets. In 2023, LSU lost as a 2.5-point favorite. In 2022, the Tigers won at home in a pick ’em against the Rebels.
Oct. 26: LSU (+2) at Texas A&M | DraftKings
LSU’s trip to Texas A&M next season may represent the only time the Tigers are underdogs all season long. LSU is currently a short underdog for its late-October matchup with the Aggies.
These teams have split the last 6 meetings in this series, with each program winning 3 home games. LSU last won in College Station back in 2016.
LSU has been an underdog in 5 regular-season games since Kelly took over in 2022. The Tigers are 3- straight up and 3- against the spread in those contests. Four of those instances came in 2022. In LSU’s lone regular-season game as an underdog last year, the Tigers failed to beat the number in a 42-28 loss against Alabama.
SPORTSBOOK
Nov. 9: LSU (-2.5) vs. Alabama | FanDuel
This year’s meeting between LSU and Alabama will take place on Nov. 9 in Death Valley. It will be the first matchup between these two former SEC West powerhouses in the post-Nick Saban era.
With the College Football Playoff set to expand to 12 teams this year, it’s possible both LSU and Alabama will be in the hunt for a Playoff berth when these teams meet later this fall.
As usual, LSU will be coming off of a bye week when it takes on the Crimson Tide. LSU is 1-1 straight up and against the spread against Alabama in each of Kelly’s first 2 seasons in Baton Rouge. Historically, Kelly’s teams have been very good after a bye week. During his time at Notre Dame (excluding 2020), the Fighting Irish were 10-4 against the spread in their first game after a bye.
Alabama is also coming off of a bye entering this year’s LSU game, but this contest comes in the midst of a brutal stretch for the Tide. In a 6-week span from Oct. 19 through the end of the regular season, Alabama has to face Tennessee, Mizzou, LSU, Oklahoma and Auburn. The Tennessee, LSU and Oklahoma games will all be played on the road as well.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
