LSU vs. Mississippi State picks, best bet: How to bet college football in Week 3

What to expect as LSU and Mississippi State meet in this Week 3 college football game and SEC conference opener from a betting perspective

Zach Arnett is 2-0 so far in his tenure as Mississippi State head coach and comes into this weekend for his inaugural SEC game against defending West Division champs LSU in college football's Week 3 action on Saturday.

MSU took down SE Louisiana in a 48-7 result in the season opener and held off Pac-12 foe Arizona in a seven-point overtime decision last week behind an offense turning away from the Air Raid, averaging a shade under 195 passing yards per game while posting over 221 yards on the ground each time out so far, and playing stout run defense, holding opponents to 87 rushing yards on average.

LSU responded to the season opening loss to Florida State, a close game until the Seminoles exploded in the second half, by taking it out on Grambling State, piling on 622 total yards in the 72-10 thrashing, hitting on 11 of 14 third down attempts and dominating on the ground with 302 rushing yards.

Here are some of the trends to keep in mind as LSU and Mississippi State renew their annual SEC West hostilities this weekend.

LSU vs. Mississippi State odds

Courtesy of SI Sportsbook

Line: LSU -10.5
Total: 53.5 (O -111, U -111)
Moneyline: LSU -400 | MSU +280
FPI pick: LSU 67.5%

Related: LSU vs. MSU picks, predictions, Week 3 college football odds, lines

Betting trends

Mississippi State: 4-1 against the spread in its last five overall... The total went under in 4 of its last 5 games... Bulldogs are 8-1 straight-up in their last 9 home games... MSU is 2-5 against the spread in its last seven Saturday games.

LSU: 4-1 against the spread in its last five against MSU... Tigers are 17-3 straight-up in their last 20 against Bulldogs... LSU is 2-5 against the spread in its last seven road games... The total went over in 5 of LSU's last six games in the SEC.

Game prediction

Where the bets are: The consensus is with LSU, with 59 percent of bettors choosing the Tigers -10.5 against Mississippi State.

Our prediction: LSU -10.5... The Bulldogs keep it close most of the day thanks to a stronger ground game, combined with Will Rogers peppering the back seven with a few longer gainers, but LSU's front seven and own skill threats come through late against MSU's 86th ranked pass defense.

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LSU vs. Mississippi State schedule

When: Sat., Sept. 16
Time: 11 a.m. Central
TV: ESPN network
Stream live: fuboTV (Try for free)

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