LSU vs. Alabama Predictions: Placing Last-Minute Bets on the BCS Title Game

With less than 12 hours away from kickoff, these are five sure-to-win bets for the national championship.

Because of their closely contested 9-6 game on Nov. 5, the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide don’t have a whole lot of separation in the betting odds.

And rightfully so as both teams are evenly matched with firepower on offense and dominating defenses.

With the title-game betting odds including everything from “who will win the coin toss” to “will either team score three unanswered points,” these are the five last-minute bets that gamblers can bank on.

The Game Will Be 0-0 Midway Through the 1st Quarter

In case you were living under a rock during the first game, not one touchdown was recorded over the course of four quarters and an overtime, so what are the odds that either team will have any points on the board midway through the first quarter?

According to thewizofodds.com, the odds for a team scoring in the first six minutes and 30 seconds of the game favor no team, and that’s the safe bet.

I know there’s been a lot of talk about these offenses opening it up and scoring more points this time around, but these defenses are the best in the nation for a reason.

Expect the score to be 0-0 midway through the first quarter.

There WIll Be a Special Teams or Defensive Touchdown Scored

Only in a game that features spectacular defense and explosive special teams play could you expect to see the odds favor a special teams or defensive touchdown being scored.

The odds of there being a defensive touchdown or special teams score is 3-2 and the odds of them not scoring a touchdown is 1-2.

WIth all that NFL talent on defense and Marquis Maze and Tyrann Mathieu returning punts for both teams, one of those units will score a touchdown.

There Will Be Three Turnovers in the Game

Whether it’s Mo Claiborne intercepting a pass, Tyrann Mathieu stripping the ball or Mark Barron making a hands-on play, expect three turnovers to be committed in this game.

It sounds like I’m a broken record here, but these defenses are that dominant.

According to the oddsmakers, the over for 3.5 turnovers in this game is +225 and under 3.5 is -350.

There were four turnovers in the last game with both teams having two each. However the Tigers will force two turnovers in this game, and the Crimson Tide will force one in the rematch.

Take the under in this bet.

This Game Will Not Go to Overtime

This is where you can make the most money.

Overtime games are rare for any sport, so the odds of this game going into overtime again are highly unlikely. That’s why I’m amazed by odds on if this game will go to overtime.

The odds for this game to go to overtime are 7-1 while the odds of these two not reaching an extra period are 1-20. Both teams are closely matched, but this game will not go into a second overtime.

LSU WIns by 1-6 Points

With the odds identical for every outcome for both teams, take LSU winning by 1-6 points.

While the Crimson Tide’s defense is stout and basically unmovable, LSU’s playmakers on defense will be the difference-maker in this one. Their speed on the turf will allow them as well as wide receiver Rueben Randle and the rest of the offense to make big plays.

They will create two turnovers and return one of those turnovers for a touchdown. A play that will separate the Tigers from the Tide by no more than six points. Tigers win 20-17.