#5 LSU vs #8 FSU

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Developing Stories 📰

The Camping World Kickoff in Orlando, Florida, is set to feature the LSU Tigers and the Florida State Seminoles this Sunday, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

LSU’s projected win total of 9.5 games for the upcoming season, with matchups against Grambling State, Army, and Georgia State in non-conference play. In the preseason media poll, they were selected to finish second in the SEC Western division, earning 31 votes – the third-highest – to secure the SEC title. Their previous season record was 10-4.

FSU anticipates a 9.5-win season and will take on Southern Miss, North Alabama, and Florida in non-conference clashes. The ACC media poll pegged them to finish second, garnering 67 first-place votes. They concluded the previous season with an impressive 10-3 record.

LSU holds a two-point advantage in the spread, with a game total set at 56.5 points. Under head coach Brian Kelly, LSU made significant strides last season, winning ten games and securing the SEC West crown. Qualifying for the College Football Playoff in the final season with a four-team format represents a substantial step forward for the program's trajectory under the former Notre Dame head coach.

LSU's offense possesses the potential to rival any team in the nation, provided they can effectively run the football. Last season, dual-threat quarterback Jayden Daniels led the team in rushing, amassing 885 yards and 11 touchdowns on 186 carries. To mitigate injury risks, LSU must distribute the rushing workload among their running backs, including Josh Williams (532 rushing yards and 5.5 yards per carry), Noah Cain (409 rushing yards and 5.4 YPC), or Notre Dame transfer Logan Diggs (820 rushing yards and 5.0 YPC).

While LSU will need to replace Kayshon Boutte in the passing game, they retain key receivers such as Malik Nabers (72 receptions for 1,017 yards), Brian Thomas (five touchdowns on 31 catches), and tight end Mason Taylor (414 receiving yards and three touchdowns as a freshman). Senior Kyren Lacy (24 catches for 268 yards) is also expected to contribute on the outside.

LSU's defense faced challenges last season, allowing 31 or more points in five of seven SEC games, struggling to generate consistent quarterback pressure and defend against the run. However, the experience gained in the trenches should yield dividends in 2023. Notably, their defensive tackle lineup features talents like Maason Smith, Mekhi Wingo, and Jordan Jefferson. The team needs to replace pass rushers BJ Ojulari and Ali Gaye, with Sai’vion Jones and transfer portal additions Ovie Oghoufo (Texas), Bradyn Swinson (Oregon), and Paris Shand (Arizona) taking on that responsibility.

The Tigers' linebacker corps boasts talents like Harold Perkins (72 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and 14 TFL), Greg Penn (77 tackles), and Oregon State transfer Omar Speights (83 tackles). However, questions linger about the performance of the secondary in the LSU defensive backfield. While the corners lack established star power, potential resides in players like Texas A&M transfer Denver Harris and SE Louisiana transfer Zy Alexander. The safety positions appear strong, with the likes of Syracuse transfer Duce Chestnut, Greg Brooks (63 tackles and two interceptions), and Major Burns (37 tackles and 4 pass breakups) patrolling the field.

Florida State begins the season as a top-ten team, but their challenging schedule includes matchups against Clemson, Miami, and Florida in the latter part of the regular season. Winning at least three of these four games is crucial for any hopes of securing a College Football Playoff berth. Despite their talent, FSU faces the challenge of performing under the spotlight.

Florida State's sixth-year quarterback, Jordan Travis, brings stability to their offense. Travis recorded 3,214 passing yards and 417 rushing yards (5.1 YPC) last season, totaling 31 touchdowns with only five interceptions. He adds depth to an already strong FSU running game led by Trey Benson (990 rushing yards, 6.4 YPC, and nine touchdowns) and Lawrance Toafili (457 rushing yards, 4.9 YPC, and five touchdowns).

The Seminoles' passing attack promises explosiveness, featuring standout receiver Johnny Wilson (897 receiving yards, 20.9 YPC, and five touchdowns). Additional receiving threats include tight end Jaheim Bell and WR Keon Coleman, both transfers. FSU has bolstered their offensive line through the transfer portal.

Defensively, FSU may not match their offensive firepower but possesses enough playmakers to excel. The return of defensive end Jared Verse, a potential first-round NFL draft pick, strengthens the Seminoles' defensive line. Joining him are Fabien Lovett and Western Michigan transfer Braden Fiske.

The linebacking unit will be led by Tatum Bethune and Kalen DeLoach, while the secondary has the potential to shine with a consistent pass rush. Cornerbacks Renardo Green and Jarrian Jones return, and Fentrell Cypress II has been added from Virginia. Safety Akeem Dent is expected to make a larger impact, although the unit must aim for more takeaways in the upcoming season.

Headlines 🚨

On This Day in Sport History: 1931 Future Baseball Hal of Fame Lou Gehrig hits his 3^rd grand slam in 4 days,

1975 Mets pitcher Tom Seaver shuts out the Pirates; first to reach 200 strikeouts for a MLB-record 8^th straight season.

The ACC adds Stanford, Cal, and SMU as new members beginning in 2024-2025.

Rising, Utah’s starting quarterback, didn't see the field Thursday night as he continues to recover from an offseason ACL surgery, and the Utes didn't miss him as they won 24-11.

Carl Hagelin has decided to retire from the NHL at age 35, citing an eye injury that has kept him out of game action for nearly a year and a half.

Four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver and team captain Mike Evans has set a Week 1 deadline to receive a new contract from the Tampa Bay Bucaneers, with his representation indicating that Evans will look to play elsewhere in 2024 if no deal is reached.

Hockenson signed a four-year contract extension that will pay him at least $66 million and up to $68.5 million,

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp suffered a setback in his return from a hamstring injury and is day-to-day, coach Sean McVay said Thursday.

John Isner's 17-year tennis career came to an end Thursday after his second-round loss to fellow American Michael Mmoh, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4, 7-6 (7), at the US Open.

Liverpool has rejected an offer worth up to £150 million ($190m) for Salah from Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad.

Trends 📈📉 via Oddsshark

⚾️ Marlins at Nationals

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami's last 5 games on the road

• Miami is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games when playing Miami

• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing at home against Miami

⚾️ Rays at Indians

• Tampa Bay is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games

• The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland's last 7 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay

• The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Cleveland's last 12 games at home

⚾️ Mariners at Mets

• Seattle is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing NY Mets

• Seattle is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games on the road

• The total has gone UNDER in 7 of NY Mets's last 8 games

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Mets's last 6 games at home

⚾️ Twins at Rangers

• Minnesota is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Texas

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas's last 5 games when playing Minnesota

• The total has gone OVER in 6 of Texas's last 8 games

⚾️ Yankees at Astros

• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston

• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 6 games on the road

• Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against NY Yankees

• Houston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games

⚾️ Tigers at White Sox

• The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Detroit's last 9 games on the road

• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi White Sox's last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit

⚾️ Red Sox at Royals

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 5 games on the road

• The total has gone OVER in 13 of Boston's last 14 games

• Kansas City is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Boston

• Kansas City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Boston

⚾️ Phillies at Brewers

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 5 games at home

⚾️ Pirates at Cardinals

• The total has gone UNDER in 13 of St. Louis's last 19 games at home

⚾️ Rockies at Blue Jays

• Colorado is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Toronto

⚾️ Giants at Padres

• The total has gone OVER in 7 of San Diego's last 8 games when playing at home against San Francisco

Public Money 🤑 via VSiN at 9AMCT

⚾️ MLB

54% of bets and 84% of money is on UNDER 8.5 MIA at WSH

37% of bets and 66% of money is on DET -1.5 (+120)

47% of bets and 87% of money is on PHI -1.5 (+140)

34% of bets and 67% of money is on UNDER 8 SF at SD

48% of bets and 84% of money is on SD -1.5 (+150)

🏈 CFB

29% of bets and 52% of money is on CMU

39% of bets and 68% of money is on UNDER 45 CMU at MSU

55% of bets and 77% of money is on UNDER 55 STAN at HAW

9.2.23

19% of bets and 38% of money is on UNDER 56.5 UVA at #12 TENN

26% of bets and 55% of money is on UNDER 58 ARST at #20 OU

14% of bets and 41% of money is on UNDER 40 UNM at #23 TA&M

5% of bets and 30% of money is on UNDER 51.5 MTSU at #4 BAMA

27% of bets and 63% of money is on UNDER 49 WVU at #7 PSU

25% of bets and 42% of money is on USA +6.5

Future Odds 🔮 via Bovada Sportsbook

Weekend Picks 🔒

Air Force Over 8.5 wins (-115) | Air Force have the good fortune of facing the 20^th easiest schedule this season also ranking 91^st in toughness. Air force excelled on both sides of the ball ranking best in rushing offense and sixth in rushing defense.

Wisconsin Over 9 wins (+105) | Wisconsin will have the 44^th ranked schedule this year. It feels like there is enough talent across this roster to hit the over on the win total. Last year, a devastating start put the team in a position it could never come back from. This year, a solid start is crucial.

Tennessee Under 9 wins (-130) | The Volunteers have the 13^th-ranked schedule in college including 8 teams with a winning record last season. They ranked 93^rd in defense last year allowing 405.4 yards per game. With Hendon Hooker gone this team will not have the same offensive strength.

Stanford Under 2.5 wins (+120) | This team just stinks….. that’s all you need to know

Oregon State Over 8.5 wins (+125) | Oregon State sported the 28th-ranked offense last year in terms of rushing yards (196.5 per game), and it was better on the other side of the ball, ranking 15th-best with just 108.2 rushing yards allowed per game. Oregon State has been given the 64th-ranked schedule in college football.

Louisville over 8.5 wins (+132) | Louisville will face the 20th-easiest schedule this season based on last season's combined win total of opponents this season. The Cardinals will have the good fortune of facing the 15th-easiest conference schedule in college football, based on their ACC opponents' combined win total last season and play 5 teams with previous winning records in 2022.

Conference Winners

Alabama to win SEC +300

UTSA to win AAC +450

Louisville to win ACC +1400

Wisconsin to win Big 10 +600

To Make Playoffs

FSU +300

Clemson +320

Wisconsin +1000

Week 1 Bets:

Wyoming +14 | This is a big number for the Red Raiders to cover on the road. Even with their high-flying offense last season, the Red Raiders won just one of their five games on the road during the regular season. In addition, Wyoming brings back two of its top three receivers from a season ago.

South Carolina +115 | The Gamecocks have won 4 of the past 5 meetings in this series, and South Carolina has picked up 7 wins in the past 9 meetings overall dating back to 1988.

Wisconsin/Buffalo under 54 | Wisconsin ranked 76th in points scored last season (26.3 points per game), but it excelled on the defensive side of the ball, ranking 17th-best in the FBS with 20.2 points allowed per game. Unders were 7-4 last night. Seems to be a trend now that the clock does not stop after first downs.

FSU +2 | The FSU defense can be the difference in this game, as I expect both offenses to have their fair share of explosive plays on Sunday. I'm more confident the Seminoles will generate a consistent pass rush with Verse & Co., which will help the secondary cover the Tigers' receivers. The LSU running game was too reliant on Daniels last year, and that could continue to be a problem on Sunday against FSU's stout front.

Dominic Striker US Open -140 | Stricker is 7-1 on hard courts this year. He has a hold percentage of 83.6%and has won 37.8% of break points on hard courts this year.