Texas A&M vs. LSU prediction: Odds, picks, best bet for SEC showdown

No. 20 LSU is in desperation mode.

The Bayou Bengals are 5-2 after bookending a win over South Carolina with losses to Ole Miss and Vanderbilt, meaning they need to run the table if they have a prayer of getting into the College Football Playoff.

That task starts with beating Texas A&M in Death Valley on Saturday night.

They say there’s nothing like a night game in Tiger Stadium, but the atmosphere could turn toxic if LSU can’t upset the Aggies, who are traveling as 2.5-point favorites.

Texas A&M vs. LSU odds, prediction

Perhaps it’s a little too early to call LSU’s season a disappointment, but we’re certainly trending in that direction.

What’s making it a particularly bitter pill to swallow is that the defense, the projected weakness of this team going into Week 1, has held up its end of the bargain. The offense, led by preseason Heisman-favorite Garrett Nussmeier, has not.

Nussmeier has struggled to get the attack out of first gear all season, though he did show some signs of life against Vanderbilt in a losing effort in Week 8.

Perhaps if Nussmeier carries that form into Saturday night, the Tigers have a shot. The only problem is that he’s going up against a stout defense, and will need to keep up with an electric offense led by quarterback Marcel Reed.

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Reed, along with playmakers Mario Craver and KC Concepcion, has the Aggies’ aerial attack humming, and the ground game has done its job, keeping defenses on their heels.

LSU’s defense grades out as No. 6 in the country per SP+, but they had issues slowing down another talismanic quarterback, Diego Pavia, last week, and with the offense sputtering, there is no margin for error for Blake Baker’s unit.

The Aggies should keep rolling against a vulnerable team on Saturday night.

The Play: Aggies -2.5 (-110, FanDuel)

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Why Trust New York Post Betting

Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.