Is LSU in danger of a letdown? The SEC moves into Week 11 with the landscape of the conference dramatically different compared to one week ago. The Alabama Crimson Tide, the ultimate dynastic power in college football over the past 13 years, will not be part of the College Football Playoff this season. They have just been knocked out of the SEC West Division race by the LSU Tigers, who rose up and stunned the Tide on a game-deciding 2-point conversion in overtime. Georgia is in full control of the SEC and will try to maintain that place of superiority this weekend. Tennessee is still in the hunt for a College Football Playoff spot, and LSU wants to make sure it doesn’t have a letdown after the huge Alabama win.
Editors' choice: top sportsbook.
LSU Tigers at Arkansas Razorbacks
Odds: LSU -3.5
The LSU Tigers have grown up quickly this season. When they were blown out by Tennessee several weeks ago, the outlook seemed bleak for them. However, they rebounded against Ole Miss and then played a great game against Alabama, limiting the Crimson Tide to just 24 points in regulation time. Quarterback Jayden Daniels made some big-time plays in key moments, sometimes scrambling for first downs but also making clutch throws under pressure. He threw a beautiful corner route for a touchdown late in regulation to give LSU the lead. After Alabama tied the game, sent it into overtime, and then took a 31-24 lead in OT, Daniels responded with a touchdown and a 2-point pass to shock the world.
While LSU is riding high, Arkansas just lost at home to the Liberty Flames. Arkansas was physically dominated in a 21-19 loss which felt a lot more lopsided than the score might suggest. Was Arkansas looking past Liberty and focusing on this game? We’ll soon find out.
Pick: LSU -3.5
Georgia Bulldogs at Mississippi State Bulldogs
Odds: Georgia -16.5
This is a potential hangover game for Georgia. The defending national champions of college football were hyped up for their game against Tennessee on Nov. 5. They played like champions, limiting Tennessee to six points in the first three quarters before slightly relaxing in the fourth quarter and giving up a late touchdown which was meaningless in terms of deciding the outcome. Georgia has to mentally turn the page and move on to its next game against Mississippi State. MSU is coming off a wild 39-33 overtime win over Auburn in which it blew an 18-point lead but then came back late in the fourth quarter to kick a game-tying field goal and send the game into OT. Mississippi State has a decent defense, but it’s hard to see how MSU’s offense will be able to figure out Georgia’s elite defense.
Pick: Georgia -16.5
Missouri Tigers at Tennessee Volunteers
Odds: Tennessee -20.5
Tennessee did lose to Georgia, but because Alabama lost in the SEC and Clemson lost in the ACC, Tennessee still has a really good chance of making the College Football Playoff if it wins the rest of its games. Expect the Vols to be fired up and very positive for this game against Missouri. The Vols should be able to win very comfortably and pursue what would be a huge achievement for the program.
