College Football Picks: LSU vs. Texas A&M Best Bets
Kick off the 2025 college football season with a DraftKings Promo Code for $200 instantly on a $5 bet! RotoWire has plenty of college football betting tools and info to keep you in the loop this season. From the latest college football odds to college football futures and Heisman odds, we have you covered.
The Texas A&M Aggies travel to Baton Rouge to take on the LSU Tigers in what should be an exciting match up. The Aggies look to remain undefeated on the season, but they'll have their work cut out for them as a night game in Baton Rouge is never easy. LSU meanwhile will look to build some momentum heading into the final month of the regular season.
LSU vs. Texas A&M Betting Odds for Week 9
Spread: Texas A&M -2.5 (DraftKings Sportsbook); LSU +2.5 (BetMGM)
Total: Over 48.5 (Caesars Sportsbook), Under 48.5 (FanDuel Sportsbook)
Money line: Texas A&M -135 (DraftKings Sportsbook), LSU +120 (BetMGM)
This line opened at Texas A&M -1 and has since moved up to -2.5 points. It's unlikely that the line will move any higher at this point as the movement to three points is a big one. The total started at 49 and has dropped a half point to 48.5. That's a fairly low line with little movement, so it would seem there is no consensus on if there will be a lot of points scored in this spot.
LSU vs. Texas A&M Betting Picks for Week 9
This should be a good game, but it lost a little shine when LSU lost this past week at Vanderbilt. Without that loss, LSU would still be in the mix for the top spot in the SEC, now the Tigers are barely clinging on to their playoff hopes. The good news for the Tigers is that their schedule is extremely tough down the stretch, so if they win out, they'll be in the playoff, but the question remains, can they do it?
Texas A&M is in a great spot right now. Sitting at 7-0 and 4-0 in conference, the Aggies can afford a slip up at some point and still make the playoff. Their schedule has been somewhat light, especially in conference, but they do have a strong non-conference win over Notre Dame.
A deeper look at the Aggies schedule is a little troubling, however. Yes, the win over Notre Dame was big, but outside of that, they haven't faced a ranked team and barely survived at Arkansas this past week while surrendering 42 points. The Aggies have played two road games this season and allowed a total of 82 points. Granted, one of those road games was against their toughest opponent to date, but there has a be some concern about that rather large number.
The offense is just fine, ranked in the top-40 in both passing yards and rushing yards per game. QB Marcel Reed has been sharp this season, entering with a 15/4 TD to INT ratio and almost 35 yards per game on the ground. Speaking of the run game, Rueben Owens II has really come on since the start of conference play, averaging over 86 yards per game over his past three games.
LSU's season started with what looked like a great win at the time over 4th-ranked Clemson, but we've since learned that Clemson is nothing special this season. The Tigers have faced two ranked opponents since then and while they were competitive in both games, they failed to win either.
On paper, LSU looks solid, ranking in the top-50 in both passing and rushing yards allowed, and their air attack on offense is sound as well, but the problem has been the ground game. Entering this week, LSU is 116th in rushing yards per game. That imbalance could be a problem this week against a stout A&M defense...at least we think it's stout.
There are questions on both sides entering this week. Will A&M's defense hold up on the road? Can LSU get anything going on the ground?
The answers to the questions is likely yes and no. The two teams the Aggies faced on the road this year were balanced, or at minimum, they could run the ball. LSU can't run the ball well, which is going to make like difficult for Garrett Nussmeier. Without the threat of the run game, the Aggie defense should hold up just fine and Marcel Reed, who is getting used to stepping up in big spots, will come through once again.
LSU vs. Texas A&M Expert Pick: Texas A&M -2.5 (ESPN Bet)
LSU vs. Texas A&M Predictions for Week 9
My only hesitation on this pick is the atmosphere that the Aggies are walking into. Many favorites have walked into Baton Rouge for a night game and have left sorely disappointed. With that in mind, the Aggies might struggle a little out of the gate, but eventually, the lack of balance on the LSU offense is going to catch up with the Tigers and lead to sacks and turnovers.
Marcel Reed will get it done through the air and on the ground and this game will not go down to the wire.
Texas A&M 31 - LSU 21
LSU vs. Texas A&M Player Props for Saturday, October 25th.
Marcel Reed Higher 250.5 Pass+Rush Yards (PrizePicks)
As mentioned earlier, this game will fall largely on Reed. Reed has come up big in A&M's two road game this season, averaging over 360 air yards and 40+ rush yards in those two games. As long as this game stays competitive, Reed should hit this number.
Garrett Nussmeier Higher 0.5 INT's (Underdog)
If this game follows the script that I am expecting, then it's going to be a long day for Nussmeier. The Aggies will likley come out in a shell defense, daring the Tigers to run the ball, but when the Tigers fail to do that, the Aggies will start brining the pressure and with that, mistakes will be made. Nussmeier has at least one INT in 3/4 conference games this season.
