LSU Tigers vs Baylor Bears Prediction, 12/31/2024 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: LSU Tigers vs Baylor Bears

Date: Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Location: NRG Stadium in Houston, TX

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Bears (+2.5)

Total/Over-Under: 61

The LSU Tigers (8-4) are headed to NRG Stadium on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 where they will compete against the Baylor Bears (8-4) in the Texas Bowl. LSU opens this game as 2.5-point favorites from Vegas oddsmakers. The betting total comes in at 61.

The LSU Tigers come into this matchup with a record of 8-4 for this year. In their last game, the Tigers played against the Oklahoma Sooners and took home the win by a score of 37-17. At the end of the game, they ran 63 plays for 395 yds. The LSU Tigers rushed the ball a total of 29 times and totaled 110 yds, which earned them an average of 3.8 yds per carry. When it came to stopping the run, the Tigers gave up 167 yards on 37 attempts, which calculates to 4.5 yards per rush surrendered. LSU gave up 14 pass completions on 22 tries for 110 yds, and a completion rate of 63.6%.

Regarding scoring points, the LSU Tigers are sitting at 29.3 points per contest. As a team they maintain an average of 116.6 yards on the ground which is 107th in the country. The Tigers have earned 5,183 total yards this season. In terms of getting the ball in the endzone, LSU has totaled 26 touchdowns via the pass and 14 touchdowns on the ground. LSU has accrued 286 first downs offensively, and they have been hurt by 76 penalties for 598 yards. They have given the ball to the opposition 16 times.

Regarding passing yards, the Tigers have conceded 2,471 yards which has them ranked 45th in the country. They are giving up 205.9 yards per outing via the pass and giving up a completion percentage of 61.3%. During this campaign, they are surrendering 352.5 yards per outing putting them at 52nd in college football. They have surrendered 10 touchdowns through the air and 24 touchdowns on the ground. They are allowing 4.5 yards per run and 146.6 rushing yards per game this year. For the season, they have conceded 1,759 rushing yards through 12 games. The Tigers are sitting in 58th in college football when it comes to the opposition scoring, conceding 23.8 PPG.

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The Bears come into this matchup with a record of 8-4 this year. When they last played, the Bears took home the win by a final score of 45-17 when they faced the Kansas Jayhawks. The Bears finished the game with 603 yards on 81 plays (7.4 yards per play). Baylor ran the ball for 5.9 yds per attempt, finishing with a total of 293 yards on 50 attempts. Baylor surrendered 31 run attempts for 211 yards (6.8 yds per carry). The Bears pass defense conceded a completion rate of 52.2%, relinquishing 280 yds on 12 for 23 passing.

When discussing their scoring prowess, the Bears rank 21st in D-1 by scoring 34.7 points per outing. The Baylor Bears average 434.5 yards per game, which ranks them 25th in the country. The Baylor offense has totaled 755 penalty yds on 76 violations, which has them sitting 51st in Division 1 in terms of making mistakes. They have thrown 10 interceptions while losing 5 fumbles and they have been able to earn 268 first downs. For the season so far, the Bears have earned 2,952 yards via the pass as well as an average of 246.0 throwing yards per contest, which ranks 43rd in D-1. They hold an average of 188.5 rushing yards per game and have run for 2,262 yards overall.

The Bears are surrendering 25.3 points per contest, which has them 70th in college football. Baylor has allowed a total of 1,862 yards via the ground game (155.2 yards/game) as well as 16 touchdowns by way of the ground game on the season. This year, they have allowed 304 points. They have conceded 19 touchdowns from the passing game and 227.6 yards per contest, which has them ranked 84th in the nation. The Bears defense has been on the field for 823 plays, which has them sitting 86th in D-1. They have totaled 6 fumbles recovered and 13 picks over the course of the season.

Who will win tonight's Tigers/Bears college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Bears +2.5

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