LSU vs West Virginia: Last-Minute Spread Info and Predictions

The brutal early-season schedule of the LSU Tigers continues on Saturday with a road game against the undefeated West Virginia Mountaineers.

This will be a rematch of LSU's 20-14 win in 2010. That game was in Death Valley—this one is in Morgantown.

Both teams come into the game ranked. Both the AP and USA Today have West Virginia as the No. 16 team in the country. LSU is No. 2 in the AP Poll while the USA Today Poll has them at No. 3.

Where: Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, West Virginia.

When: Saturday, September 24, 8 p.m. EDT

Watch: ABC

Spread

LSU (-6.5), according to Bodog. That spread is about right. LSU's defense has been smothering all year against top-tier offenses.

Especially at home, West Virginia certainly has a team that can beat the Tigers, but I would go with LSU to win and cover.

Over/Under

Bodog is setting the over/under for this game at 48. This is really tough to predict.

LSU's offense isn't especially prolific, so even a convincing win may not hit 48 combined points.

If West Virginia's offense is able to get going, 48 won't be much of an issue.

If they play a ball control style and avoid turnovers, 48 won't be reached.

My guess is that LSU's offense will have a strong game, and the defense will force turnovers to shorten the field. I have West Virginia scoring 20 in this one. So, the question is, will LSU hit 28 or more? I say they will.

This game will come much closer to LSU's game against Oregon than the game against Mississippi State.

Key Injuries

LSU G Matt Branch (foot) is probable.

LSU OT Chris Faulk (ankle) and P Brad Wing are questionable.

LSU G Evan Washington (foot) is out.

LSU G Josh Dworaczyk (knee) is out for the season.

WVU OL Josh Jenkis (knee) is out for the season.

BCS/Top 25 Poll Implications

LSU has a lot more to lose here. Barring an absolute blowout, West Virginia won't fall too much if they lose a close game. A win would catapult them up the rankings.

Should the Tigers lose, it wouldn't kill their national championship aspirations, but it will hurt them a lot. A win would only cement them as a top-three team.

Keys to LSU Win

The Tigers need to contain Geno Smith, who is off to an incredibly good start this year.

If Smith has a good game and the Mountaineers top 20 points, it will be hard for LSU to win.

Keys to West Virginia Win

They don't need to score on every posession, but they can't give LSU's offense a short field. If West Virginia controls the game and makes LSU's offense drive the length of the field to score, West Virginia's chances are good.

Prediction

LSU's defense is incredibly strong. They have done a great job against some of the top offenses in college football.

I like their chances to force some turnovers. Their offense won't be great, but they only need to be opportunistic.

LSU 34 West Virginia 20