SEC Predictions: Picking every game against the spread for Week 4

Sep 19, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs against the Auburn Tigers during the first quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

• Date: Saturday September 26, 2015
• Time: 12PM Eastern
• Location: Syracuse, NY
• TV Channel: ESPN
• Spread: LSU -24.5
• Over/Under Total: 46.5

If we learned one thing last week, it was that Leonard Fournette deserves to be in the discussion for the best player in the country. The sophomore running back ran over, through and around Auburn for 228 rushing yards and three touchdowns, making it the second consecutive week Fournette scored three times against an SEC opponent.

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Fournette’s emergence has allowed young starting quarterback Brandon Harris to get his feet wet slowly and gain confidence, which is a good sign for the sophomore signal caller moving forward. And, last week’s dominant performance, in which LSU outgained Auburn 485-260, makes the Tigers legitimate playoff contenders.

The Tigers must take that reputation to New York this week for a rare non-conference road game against a 3-0 Syracuse squad.

I won’t pretend to know much about Syracuse this season, but I’m always wary of an early kickoff. Plus, LSU will be playing in an odd environment (the Carrier Dome) at what is normally an 11AM kickoff for the team from the Central Time Zone. Expect LSU to start slow, and because Syracuse has proven to be an improved football team, the Orange may keep things interesting in the first half. LSU should open up the score in the second half, but will come short of covering.

Next: Tennessee at Florida