Citrus Bowl Picks & Odds: LSU Big Favorite With Purdue Stars Sitting Out

The LSU Tigers (9-4 SU, 7-6 ATS) are 2-6 ATS in their last eight games as a betting favorite heading into the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl against the Purdue Boilermakers (8-5, 5-8) on January 2. The Tigers will try to turn their ATS luck as a favorite around by winning and covering the spread as big chalk vs Purdue in Orlando.

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Citrus Bowl Sportsbook Odds

LSU opened as a 4.5-point favorite in the Citrus Bowl, but betting action on the Tigers and the news that three of Purdue’s top players on offense would be skipping the game has driven the LSU vs Purdue odds all the way up to LSU -14.5. The total has surprisingly not had nearly as much movement as it settled in at 56 points since Sportsbook at 57.5 points. The OVER is 5-1 in Purdue’s last six games against SEC opponents.

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Latest Betting Notes: LSU

LSU closed out its regular season with a disappointing 0-2 SU and ATS run, losing to the Texas A&M Aggies 38-23 as a 10-point road favorite and then losing 50-30 to the Georgia Bulldogs as a 17-point underdog in the SEC championship game. Prior to those two losses, the Tigers were No. 5 in the College Football Playoff rankings with a 9-2 SU and 7-4 ATS record.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels has compiled 2,774 passing yards, 16 touchdown passes and only three interceptions this season and is also LSU’s leading rusher with 818 yards and 11 touchdowns on 180 carries. Daniels is listed as questionable with an ankle injury but is expected to play in the Citrus Bowl barring any setbacks.

Latest Betting Notes: Purdue

Purdue went 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS down the stretch of the regular season to advance into the Big Ten championship game. The Boilermakers lost that game 43-22 as 15-point underdogs to the Michigan Wolverines, falling to 8-5 SU and 5-8 ATS on the season. This marked the program’s second straight eight-win campaign after it had failed to reach eight wins in its previous 13 seasons.

Unfortunately for Boilermakers fans and backers, Purdue will be without starting quarterback Aiden O’Connell, top wide receiver Charlie Jones and tight end Payne Durham. All three of Purdue’s top offensive stars opted to skip the game ahead of next year’s NFL draft. Backup quarterback Austin Burton will be under center for the Boilermakers in the Citrus Bowl.

Keys to Victory: LSU

LSU could be at risk of a letdown performance after coming so close to a playoff spot only to instead match up with this suddenly depleted Boilermakers squad. If the Tigers take this game seriously, they should have a clear enough advantage on offense to win as an LSU vs Purdue prediction.

Keys to Victory: Purdue

Austin Burton played well in his one start this season, going 21-for-29 with 166 passing yards, three scoring strikes and an interception in a 28-26 win over the Florida Atlantic Owls. Burton may need to have a career-best game to help the Boilermakers keep up with LSU’s offense to win or cover as an LSU vs Purdue pick.

Citrus Bowl Computer Pick: Purdue +14.5

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