LSU Tigers vs. Arkansas Razorbacks Betting Odds, Analysis, College Football Pick

The Arkansas Razorbacks still haven't won an SEC game under head coach Bret Bielema, losing 17 straight conference games overall and going 7-10 against the spread. The Hogs take another shot at snapping that inglorious streak when they host the Tigers of LSU on Saturday night in Fayetteville.

Point spread: The Razorbacks opened as 1.5-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (line updates and matchup report).

College football pick, via Odds Shark computer: 26.9-25.7 Razorbacks

Why the LSU Tigers can cover the spread

The Tigers had won and covered three games in a row until a tough 20-13 overtime loss at home to Alabama last week. LSU kicked a field goal to take a 13-10 lead with less than a minute to go but allowed the Tide to drive for a game-tying field goal of their own and then lost in the first overtime period.

The Tigers outrushed 'Bama 183-106 and held the ball for over 38 minutes but missed a chance at the victory in regulation when they couldn't do anything with a 1st-and-goal from the Tide 6-yard line in the final minutes. Still, LSU is 7-3 ATS on the season and owns a three-game winning streak against Arkansas.

Why the Arkansas Razorbacks can cover the spread

The Razorbacks are still winless in SEC play under Bielema, but they've come close to snapping that skid several times already this season.

In the season opener, they played Auburn to a 21-21 halftime tie before running out of gas in the second half. Later, they blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead and lost to Texas A&M 35-28 in overtime. Then, they lost to Alabama 14-13 thanks in part to a missed extra point. Last week, Arkansas led top-ranked Mississippi State in Starkville 10-0 in the second quarter but came up empty from there and lost 17-10.

Still, the Hogs are 7-2 ATS on the season, and they're 6-1 ATS in their last seven meetings with LSU.

Smart pick

Both teams are coming off tough losses, so they're in the same boat emotionally. Arkansas owns the edge on offense, averaging 452 yards per game, but LSU has the edge on defense, holding foes to 318 yards per game. In close calls like this, the smart money should go with the better defense, so the Tigers are the pick, plus the points.

Betting trends

• LSU is 7-2-1 ATS in its last 10 games.
• Arkansas is 1-4 SU in its last five games.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates, and get the free odds tracker app.