BCS Rankings Week 8: LSU Tigers Are in Trouble Against the Spread vs. Auburn

The LSU Tigers (7-0) were established as the No. 1 team in the first installment of the BCS standings Sunday, but that's definitely not a reason to wager on them against the Auburn Tigers (5-2) this weekend.

Programs that have earned that distinction have tallied a 2-8 against-the-spread record when playing games in the immediate week following, including four consecutive misses against the Las Vegas line.

Oklahoma landed in the top spot out of the gate last year, only to drop a 36-27 contest to the Missouri Tigers as three-point road favorites.

Breaking news also came out of Baton Rouge, LA, this afternoon, as cornerback Tyrann Mathieu and running back Spencer Ware will both miss Saturday's game inside Tiger Stadium due to failed drug tests.

The betting markets haven't been affected much by the suspensions, as LSU is still listed as a 21-point home favorite, which is just 1.5 points off its opening number.

Some fans will immediately point out that the Tigers rallied without other suspended members in a 40-27 season-opening win over the Oregon Ducks as three-point neutral-site underdogs.

Quarterback Jordan Jefferson and wide receiver Russell Shepard were unavailable in that contest due to separate incidents.

From a betting perspective, this situation is much different, as the team is expected to win by a large margin.

An emotional rallying cry in the locker room is much easier to maintain during the course of the game when you're an underdog.

It's also important to note that the team will likely overhear students on campus saying that they don't need a full roster until playing the Alabama Crimson Tide on Nov. 5 in Tuscaloosa.

Music to this handicapper's ears in terms of how motivated this team will be.

Head coach Les Miles is going to have his hands full on Saturday, as I expect him to drop to 5-21 ATS when hosting SEC opponents.