LSU vs South Carolina Prediction & Betting Picks 9/14/2024

The LSU Tigers are set to clash with the South Carolina Gamecocks on September 14, 2024, at 12:00 pm ET. DraftKings Sportsbook has the Tigers as 7 point favorites, with early betting action leaning towards the Gamecocks. The total is set at 50, with bets split almost evenly between the over and under. Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting matchup between these two SEC rivals and keep reading for our best bet for this LSU vs South Carolina clash.

No Margin For Error For LSU In SEC Opener

The LSU Tigers are 1-1 on the season going into their SEC opener against the South Carolina Gamecocks. Brian Kelly's team lost in their season opener against USC and bounced back with a win over FCS Nicholls State last week. Here, LSU is looking for its first win over an FBS opponent for the season, as they know that another loss so early in the season would make their path to the College Football Playoff very difficult even in the new 12-team playoff format.

Going into this game, the connection between LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and wide receiver Kyren Lacy has been a sight to behold. Lacy has 12 catches for 159 yards and four touchdowns through two games, with the majority of those catches and yards coming against USC. If Lacy can continue to produce and LSU can stay out of its own way, the Tigers could get a significant win as they look to avoid putting themselves behind the eight-ball in the playoff chase before October.

South Carolina Seeking 2-0 SEC Start

It has been an excellent start to the season for the South Carolina Gamecocks. South Carolina is 2-0 with both wins coming over FBS opponents, with the Gamecocks notching wins over Old Dominion and Kentucky. After beating Kentucky in their SEC opener last week, the Gamecocks will look to improve to 2-0 in SEC play by winning this LSU vs South Carolina showdown from Columbia.

The defense of South Carolina has been exceptional to start this season, allowing 12.5 points per game through the first two weeks of their season. South Carolina held Kentucky to just six points last week, keeping the Wildcats under 200 yards of total offense for that contest. Here, slowing down Lacy will prove to be the toughest challenge of the young season for South Carolina. If they can do that, the Gamecocks could very well improve to 3-0 and make a case that they should be ranked going into next week's action.

LSU vs South Carolina Best Bet

The betting line for this game has come down somewhat, after LSU opened as an 8.5-point favorite. Even with that being the case, we will take the points with South Carolina as a touchdown underdog at home. The defense of the Gamecocks has been nothing short of spectacular early in the year and that should continue, especially with LSU struggling to run the ball with regularity in the opening month of the season.

Visit the NCAAFB picks and predictions section for the rest of today's games.