Defending Champs Seek Bounce-Back Effort at Vanderbilt

After having their 16-game winning streak snapped last week against Mississippi State, the Tigers (0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS) look to get back on track with a visit to Vanderbilt (0-1 SU, 1-0 ATS). LSU has won its last seven meetings with the Commodores, but Vandy nearly upset Texas A&M last week on the road.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Bettors like LSU’s chances of rebounding this week, betting the Tigers up to 20-point chalk within a few hours of the line Sportsbook. Vanderbilt has struggled badly in the home underdog role, covering just one of its last nine attempts.

LSU News & Notes

We all knew the Tigers would look a lot different this year after 14 members of last season’s national championship team were selected in the NFL draft. But not many could have predicted LSU would lose outright as a two-touchdown favorite in its first home game, especially in such decisive fashion as last week’s 44-34 loss to Mississippi State.

Offensively, QB Myles Brennan held his own in place of the departed Joe Burrow, throwing for 345 yards and three touchdowns. However, K.J. Costello and the Bulldogs offense threw all over LSU’s secondary for an SEC-record 623 yards and five touchdowns through the air as the Tigers became the first defending national champion to lose its Sportsbook game since 1998.

“We’re going to find out what we’re made of,” coach Ed Orgeron told Sports Illustrated. “I’ve got to coach better, and I’ve asked everybody to look at themselves in the mirror.”

We could see a much different look from LSU’s defense this week as Orgeron hinted the team might play more zone, a switch from the man-heavy scheme implemented last week by new defensive coordinator Bo Pelini. The Tigers also played last week without all-American cornerback Derek Stingley, who was hospitalized the previous night but is expected back against Vandy.

Vanderbilt News & Notes

A freshman quarterback, a new offensive coordinator and a roster decimated by COVID-19 opt-outs didn’t bode well for Vanderbilt’s chances last week, but the Commodores still nearly pulled off a shocking upset of No. 10 Texas A&M.

Vanderbilt held the Aggies to just 17 first downs and had a chance to take the lead in the fourth quarter before Ken Seals threw an interception deep in A&M territory. Seals, the third true frosh to start an SEC season opener since 1972, finished the day with 150 passing yards and a touchdown, although he also threw two picks.

Vanderbilt stayed in the game with its defense, which uncharacteristically generated three turnovers. Last year, the Commodores ranked last in the SEC and 121st in the nation in turnovers created, forcing just 11 in their 12 games.

Vandy also hung tough without linebacker Dimitri Moore, who led the SEC in tackles last year. Moore sat out last week with a minor injury but is expected back against LSU to lead a defense that has helped Vanderbilt go UNDER in eight of its last 10 outings overall and nine of its last 12 in SEC play.