College Football Odds: SEC Week 13 picks against the spread
Nov 14, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Brandon Allen (10) throws against the LSU Tigers during the first quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
- Date: Friday December 27, 2015
- Time: 2:30 PM Eastern
- Location: Fayetteville, AR
- TV Channel: CBS
- Spread: Arkansas -14
- Over/Under Total: 45.5
The long holiday weekend kicks off a little early for two SEC football teams as the Missouri Tigers travel to Fayetteville, Arkansas with bowl eligibility still on their minds. Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel will lead the Tigers into battle for the final time in the regular season, and unless Mizzou upsets the Razorbacks or receives a waiver to play in a bowl game with a 5-7 record, it will be the last time Pinkel appears on the Tigers’ sideline before he retires.
Though the SEC’s newest border rivalry features strength vs. strength and weakness vs. weakness in this year’s matchup, the odds are certainly against an upset. Based on the strength of a recent 4-1 stretch in which Arkansas has averaged more than 50 points per game, the Hogs are 14-point favorites at home.
Quarterback Brandon Allen leads the SEC with 29 touchdown passes and he set a school record with seven TDs in the team’s 51-50 loss to Mississippi State last week. Allen’s 3,023 passing yards rank third in the league and his favorite target, Drew Morgan (52 receptions, 723 receiving yards), leads the conference with 10 touchdown catches.
Overall, Arkansas ranks second in the SEC in total offense and have averaged 470.2 total yards per game. Running back Alex Collins is the SEC’s third leading rusher with 1,262 yards on the ground, and Collins also ranks third in the conference with an average of 114.7 rushing yards per game and 14 TDs. Such an explosive offense will be a challenge for the Tigers, who rank third in the SEC in total defense (15.1 points per game) and are fourth in total defense (301.3).
On the other hand, Arkansas ranks dead last in both defensive categories, having allowed 30 points and 425.3 total yards per contest this season. Nevertheless, the chances of the Hogs stopping Missouri’s league-worst total offense (290.9) are pretty good. Take Arkansas to cover.
Next: Georgia at Georgia Tech