LSU North Carolina Betting – Tar Heels’ D Too Much For Toothless Tigers
Sports betting players will be treated to a big non-conference game between a pair of top-20 teams on the first Saturday of the season as LSU and North Carolina will go head-to-head. The Tar Heels have one of the best defenses in the country, and while their offense isn’t the greatest, it can take advantage of a young LSU defense to give North Carolina the win.
- What: NCAA football betting
- When: Saturday, September 4th, 8:00 PM ET
- Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA
- Pick: North Carolina -1
What’s On The Line
They say this is a neutral-site affair, but the Georgia Dome is the annual home of the SEC championship game, so we’re willing to say this is SEC country here. A couple of clock-management problems stopped the Tigers from going further than they did, finishing 9-4 with a 19-17 loss to Penn State in the Capital One Bowl. But the No.16 Tigers are still two spots ahead of the No.18 Tar Heels (from the ACC) in the USA Today poll to begin the season, and they’re coming off an 8-5 season, falling 19-17 to Pitt in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. A win in this game, and one team will off and running with a victory over another top-20 team.
Offensive Matchups: LSU North Carolina Betting
The Tigers were 112th in offense last year, and a brutal offensive line had something to do with that as they were 105th in the nation in sacks allowed. Jordan Jefferson is back under center, and he lost Brandon LaFell to the draft, so Terrance Tolliver is going to have to step up. But none of that will matter unless the line picks up its play. The Tigers also have to replace Charles Scott in the backfield. It could be another long season for the LSU offense.
The Tar Heels were no better, coming in 108th, but at least Ryan Houston and Shaun Draughn gave them a decent ground game. Draughn is back to take the bulk of the carries and Houston is back as well, but the Tar Heels need more out of pivot T.J. Yates, who had 14 touchdowns, but 15 picks. The top three receivers return from 2009, and most of the line is back, but they struggled with injuries last year.
Betting Edge: Draw
Defensive Matchups: LSU North Carolina Betting
LSU’s defense was 26th in the country last year, but only four starters are back from that team. Linebacker Kelvin Sheppard leads a very young defense that is going to get a baptism by fire, although it’s a good thing that they’re not really facing a high-powered offense right off the bat. Patrick Peterson leads a deep group of corners, but the LSU front seven is a bit of a mess outside of Sheppard.
North Carolina was sixth in the country in 2009, and scarily, could be better in 2010. End Robert Quinn may be the best defensive lineman in the country and will spend most of his time in the opposition backfield, but he may have a bigger load if tackle Marvin Austin misses time due to an NCAA investigation. Quinn is one of nine starters back this year, along with linebacker Quan Sturdivant, but the guy to watch may be ‘backer Kevin Reddick, who had a great freshman year. The secondary doesn’t need to be spectacular, just solid, and they’ve got plenty of experience back there.
Betting Edge: North Carolina
Notable Injuries: LSU North Carolina Betting
Running back Dominique Allen (suspension) will miss this game, and a possibly a few others because of team-rule infractions.
Austin and receiver Greg Little (suspension) may miss this game as the NCAA is investigating possible infractions with an agent.
Betting Edge: LSU
Outlook and Pick: LSU North Carolina Betting
NCAA football betting odds have the Tar Heels as a 1-point favorite in this huge contest, and this is the first time these two programs have ever met. This is going to be a low-scoring affair as neither offense is really all that good. LSU’s offense doesn’t stand a chance against the North Carolina defense, and we think that the UNC offense can at least run on the LSU defense, who have to sort out their front seven before online betting players can have any faith in them.
