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CFB Upset & Underdog Pick: Week 3 (September 16)

Cash another one, as the U came through and Miami won outright. That puts us at 2-1 on the year and +310 so far. Let’s keep the upset train rolling into Week 3, as the big board features a couple of solid underdogs — always with an eye on a home dog to win outright. There are some marquee games and a few lesser ones, with just one marquee team. One of the best things about college football is how much emphasis and attention should be paid to a head coach, especially from a betting standpoint. Enter Brian Kelly and his loveable losers at LSU (technically 1-1 after dismantling Grambling).

CFB Upset & Underdog Pick for Week 3: LSU-Mississippi State

Looking for more 2023 college football predictions? OddsShopper’s experts are here to break down this college football season — make sure to check out the rest of our college football articles. If you still need more picks, our market-based betting model might just be for you — or try it out now!

LSU-Mississippi State Odds

Odds via BetMGM
LSU: -375 | Mississippi State: +290
LSU -9.5: -110 | Mississippi State +9.5: -110
Over 54.5: -110 | Under 54.5: -110

LSU-Mississippi State Upset Pick

Brian Kelly makes $400,000 a year but has incentives in his contract to earn up to $91 million. Chances are winning a national championship is included in that major payday. That is not likely following a brutal loss to FSU and will be cemented after another disappointing weekend in Mississippi. This is the third game for the Tigers in just 13 days. Last year against, Mississippi State, their NFL-packed team needed a huge fourth quarter — reeling off three straight touchdowns — just to beat the Bulldogs. After losing a significant amount of its players to the pro league, LSU will struggle against a team better than the 9.5-point spread. Beyond the revenge factor from a winnable game last year, Mississippi State knows LSU struggles as a road favorite — just 1-4 against the spread in its last five away from home and laying points. Covering this spread is one thing, but the Bulldogs have a legit pathway to winning this thing outright.

There is something to the whole “bend but don’t break” defense, and that’s exactly how Mississippi State will shock the world in Starkville. Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels can certainly throw the ball, and Kelly will trust his offense to air it out. The problem is going against a Bulldogs defense that has been in attack mode more under Zach Arnett. Expect some early pressure on the Tigers, as they may wear down a little quicker after the first quarter or two — with the amount of football played and the heat expecting to be a factor. The run games are near equal in talent, but the opposing defenses will be a difference. LSU backers expect their Tigers to be up quick, negating a lot of the Bulldogs’ strong rush attack, but even in a one-score game, Mississippi State will have some chances against the Tigers defensive front. The good news for the Bulldogs is they have a defense good enough to counter the Tigers run game and an offensive attack good enough on the ground to score some points.

This will be a fantastic football game with plenty of drama surrounding the LSU team and coach. There is nothing but focus and preparation on the opposite sideline. Go Bulldogs.

CFB Upset Pick for Week 3: Mississippi State +290 (BetMGM)

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Eytan Shander

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Eytan Shander

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