Why you should bet on LSU to win national championship

Previewing Monday’s LSU Tigers vs Clemson Tigers NCAA football College Football Playoff National Championship Game matchup, with NCAA football betting odds, picks and best bets

The LSU Tigers are just one game away from winning their first National Championship Game since the 2007 season (back when the BCS ruled college football). In their way on Monday night are the Clemson Tigers, who have won the championship (the College Football Playoff variety) twice in the last three seasons. If you are thinking about betting on the LSU Tigers to win the championship, here are a few reasons to convince you to make that bet.


Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!


1. LSU’s Offense

Wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who had 4 TDs in the CFP semifinal against Oklahoma, is one of numerous weapons on the revamped LSU offense. (Photo credit: Jason Getz – USA TODAY Sports)

For the last few decades, LSU has been known for its solid defense and somewhat lackluster offense. That certainly isn’t the case this season, however, as the Tigers have college football’s top-ranked offense, scoring an average of 48.9 points per game.

Not only is it the nation’s highest-scoring offense, but one of America’s most consistent, as well. The Tigers have scored at least 36 points in 13 of 14 games this season. The Tigers can do just about everything well, but the particularly excel at throwing the ball down the field. Expect LSU to challenge Clemson’s defense down the field early and often.

LSU has proven it can score against the best defenses in college football, which should make you feel good about taking them — even against the nation’s top-ranked scoring defense and No. 2 overall defense in Clemson.

2. LSU’s Defense Can Create Turnovers

Cornerbacks Derek Stingley Jr. (24) and Cordale Flott are part of a loaded LSU secondary. (Photo credit: Jason Getz – USA TODAY Sports)

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence may be unbeaten in his career, but he has shown that he can be prone to turnovers. He has thrown twice as many interceptions this season as he did as a rookie (8-4) as he’s taken more chances down the field.

That plays well into LSU’s strength as it has multiple first-round picks playing in its secondary. LSU’s defense isn’t quite as good as we are accustomed to seeing, but there is still talent all over the place. Their 17 interceptions are tied for fifth in the nation.

Look for the Tigers to jump a few routes on Monday, which could prove to be the difference in the final outcome.

3. Quarterback Joe Burrow

It’s not a stretch to say LSU QB Joe Burrow is having the greatest season in college football history. (Photo credit: Brett Davis – USA TODAY Sports)

Whenever you bet on an NFL or college football game, the play of the quarterback is always a major deciding factor. While you can’t really go wrong in this game between the two passers, it’s tough to bet against the 2019 Heisman Trophy winner.

Joe Burrow is having arguably the greatest season ever by a college football quarterback. Through 14 games, he’s thrown for 5,208 yards and 55 touchdowns. That doesn’t even include the 311 yards and four touchdowns he’s added on the ground. In the CFP semifinals, Burrow threw for 493 yards and seven touchdowns, most of which came in the first half.

Burrow is playing with an extreme level of confidence that we rarely see in college sports. He’s completing an absurd 77.6 percent of his passes and is averaging nearly 11 yards per attempt. Given all of the weapons at Burrow’s disposal, it’s tough to see a way that Clemson can hold this LSU attack under 35 points.

Considering just how dominant Burrow has been this season, it’s tough to make an argument for Clemson on Monday night. If you plan on betting on this game, take Burrow and the LSU Tigers to win the national championship.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1623]

College Football Bowl Betting: Best Parlay Options

Previewing the college football bowl season betting odds and lines, with a look at the best three-team parlay for the holidays.

One of the best parts about bowl season in college football is all of the different betting options available. Below, we are looking at the best three-team parlay you can make for the next two weeks of bowl games.


Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!


College Football Bowl Parlay Bets: Memphis vs. Penn State Moneyline

Photo Credit: Justin Ford – USA TODAY Sports

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, Dec. 12 at 6:15 p.m. ET.

What: Cotton Bowl
When: Saturday, Dec. 28 at noon ET

For the first part of our bet, we are looking for an underdog to win or cover the spread to boost the total odds for our three-leg parlay. That is why I’m eying the Memphis Tigers (12-1) over the Penn State Nittany Lions (10-2) in the Cotton Bowl. Memphis is a 7.5-point underdog despite winning 12 games this season. Memphis has one of the best offenses in college football, averaging 40.5 points per game (PPG) this season to rank eighth in the nation. Memphis will certainly be challenged by a Penn State defense, which allowed just 14.1 PPG to rank seventh overall.

However, I like MEMPHIS (+200) on the moneyline – to win outright as it has proven to be one of the best teams in the country. If the moneyline makes you nervous, consider swapping out this pick with Memphis to cover the 7.5 point spread at -134 instead.

College Football Bowl Parlay Bets: LSU vs. Oklahoma Over/Under

Photo Credit: Matthew Emmons – USA TODAY Sports

What: Peach Bowl
When: Saturday, Dec. 28 at 4 p.m. ET

The Over/Under for LSU-Oklahoma is set at a monstrous 76 points. While both offenses can score 40 or more with ease, these playoff games tend to start off slow, given the amount of time off for the two teams. Don’t be shocked if both use the first quarter or so to “feel” each other out before picking up the tempo on offense.

It’s also worth noting that the Under hit in four of the last five games involving the Sooners. They have proven they are at least somewhat capable of defense this season. Oklahoma should be able to get at least a few stops early in this contest.

While it’s fair to expect a ton of points, bet the UNDER 76 (-110) to hit in the Peach Bowl.

College Football Bowl Parlay Bet: Michigan vs. Alabama Point Spread

Photo Credit: John David Mercer – USA TODAY Sports

What: Citrus Bowl
When: Wednesday, Jan. 1 at 1 p.m. ET

One of the biggest non-playoff bowl games will happen on New Year’s Day as Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines (9-3) will take on Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide (10-2). While Alabama will be without their star quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa, it is still one of the best teams in college football, especially on offense.

That is why ALABAMA (-6.5, -118) is nearly a touchdown favorite here. In the Iron Bowl, Alabama was still able to put up 45 points against the Auburn Tigers without Tagovailoa on the field. The Tide should have no problem covering the spread against a Wolverines team that allowed 56 points to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Expect Alabama to win and cover in this Big Ten-SEC contest.

Altogether, this three-team parlay – with the Memphis ML – will payout at +958 odds. A $10 bet would return a profit of $95.80 if all three hit. It’s a decent-sized payout given the relatively safe bets.

Note: Swapping the Memphis spread in place of the ML lowers the payout to +516.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1623]