College Football Pick: #19 LSU Tigers at #2 Alabama Crimson Tide

There’s a big game in the SEC today and it involved the #19 LSU Tigers (6-2 Overall, 3-1 SEC) visiting the #2 Alabama Crimson Tide (8-0 Overall, 5-0 SEC). The Tide may want to prove that they should be number one in the College Football Playoff Rankings (CFPR) and not the Georgia Bulldogs. For the first time in 2017 the CFPR were published this week and the Bulldogs were in the top spot and the Crimson Tide second despite the fact that the AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll have those two teams in reverse positions. The Tigers have won three in a row and their last loss was four weeks ago 24-21 to Troy. Alabama have won their last two games by 30-plus points, beating Tennessee and Arkansas. Our LSU plays Alabama 2017 college football free pick offers the Tide at -20 and the totals bet at 46.0.

LSU- Pluses and Minuses

The Tigers are averaging 27.4 PPG. QB Danny Etling (60.0 COMP%, 9 TDs, 1 INT) is an accurate passer who’s tossed three TD passes to TE Foster Moreau. WR D.J. Clark, who has 22 receptions for 535 yards while averaging 24.3 YPC, is the team’s top pass catcher. The Tigers have a fine ground game that features two premium ground gainers, Derrius Guice (124 ATT, 711 YDs, 5.7 AVG) and Darrel Williams (101 ATT, 476 YDs, 4.7 AVG). Guice has scored six times and Williams five.

The Tigers have issues versus the run and that could certainly hurt them today against a team that focuses on the ground game and is averaging 299 yards per game rushing. The defense will rely on LB Devon White (80 TCKLs, 2.5 SCKs, 7.5 TFL, 3 PD), DE Christian Lacouture (49 TCKLs, 4.5 SCKs, 6 TFL), and DT Greg Gilmore (36 TCKLs, 4.5 SCKs, 5 TFL). CB Andraez Williams (6 PD, 3 INTs) will be asked to secure the secondary.

Tigers Summary

• Solid rush attack
• QB Etiling offers accuracy
• Defense may be challenged versus rush

Alabama Pluses and Minuses

The Crimson Tide is allowing only 9.8 PPG. They are holding opponents to under 67 YPG on the ground and 236 yards overall. On offense, they have been good for 500 yards per game. They literally run over other teams. They are facing a team that allows opponents 146 YPG on the ground. We expect Alabama to have a good day when running the ball.

The defense is deep. DL Raekwon Davis (31 TCKLs, 5.5 SCKs, 6.0 TFL) and DB Levi Wallace (2.0 SCKs, 4.5 TFL, 3 INTs, 9 PD) are premium defenders. LB Mack Wilson has three picks. On offense, QB Jalen Hurts (62.9 COMP%, 9 TDs, 1 INT) is a major dual threat. Along with tossing nine touchdown-passes, he’s run for six while averaging 6.8 YPA. RB Damien Harris is averaging 8.6 YPA. He has accumulated 607 yards on 81 carries, scoring 10 times. Bo Scarbrough has rished for six TDs, while freshman WR Henry Ruggs III has just five pass catches but each has been for a touchdown.

Crimson Tide Summary

• On of the best and deepest defenses around
• Great rush attack
• Enough passing to keep opponents off balance

Three Major Takeaways

Here are what we think are the major factors in our LSU plays Alabama 2017 college football free pick.

1. Alabama rush attack vs. LSU rush D favors Tide
2. If Etling has a good day, he can keep it close
3. Crimson Tide can overwhelm in second half

Tigers at Crimson Tide Free Pick

We really think that the Tide wants to make a major point in this game. In our LSU plays Alabama 2017 college football free pick, we really like Alabama even at -20.0. Take ‘Bama at -20 and the over at 46.0.

College Football Free Pick- Alabama at -20.0 and over 46.0