Know The Points

Week 8 • 2025 Season

LSU

SEC
@

Vanderbilt

SEC
FirstBank Stadium

Season Records

Game-by-game results and against-the-spread performance

LSU
5-1 (2-2 ATS)
W1
@ Clemson
17-10
W
N/A
W2
vs Louisiana Tech
7-23
W
L
W3
vs Florida
10-20
W
W
W4
vs SE Louisiana
10-56
W
L
W5
@ Ole Miss
19-24
L
N/A
W7
vs South Carolina
10-20
W
W
Vanderbilt
5-1 (2-1 ATS)
W1
vs Charleston Southern
3-45
W
W
W2
@ Virginia Tech
44-20
W
N/A
W3
@ South Carolina
31-7
W
N/A
W4
vs Georgia State
21-70
W
W
W5
vs Utah State
35-55
W
L
W6
@ Alabama
14-30
L
N/A

Current Betting Lines

DraftKings

Vanderbilt -2.5 O/U 49.5 Vanderbilt -135 | LSU +114

Bovada

Vanderbilt -2.5 O/U 49 Vanderbilt -145 | LSU +125

ESPN Bet

Vanderbilt -2.5 O/U 48.5 Vanderbilt -135 | LSU +115

Expert Betting Analysis

Our Recommendation: MODERATE BET (Confidence: 6/10)

Recommended Bet: Vanderbilt -2.5

Line Analysis: Market Line: -2.5 | Our Predicted Line: -4.5 | Edge: 2 points

Key Factors Supporting This Pick:

  • Offensive Efficiency Edge: Vanderbilt's adjusted EPA of 0.312 vs LSU's 0.151 shows significant offensive advantage
  • Success Rate Advantage: Vandy's 51.8% adjusted success rate vs LSU's 42.7% indicates more consistent offensive production
  • Home Field Advantage: Playing at home in Nashville provides additional edge in close SEC matchup

Risk Factors to Consider:

  • LSU has shown ability to play up to competition in big games
  • Low-scoring SEC game could come down to few possessions

Technical Analysis:

Vanderbilt shows clear statistical superiority in adjusted EPA (0.312 vs 0.151) and success rate (51.8% vs 42.7%), with home field advantage supporting a projected margin around 4-5 points vs the market line of -2.5.

Why This Pick Makes Sense:

Vanderbilt is getting great value as a short home favorite in this SEC matchup against LSU. When you look at how efficiently both teams have moved the ball against quality competition this season, Vanderbilt has been significantly better on offense while the defenses are relatively comparable. LSU has struggled to maintain drives consistently, converting successful plays at a much lower rate than Vanderbilt throughout the season. The line moved from LSU being favored to Vanderbilt laying points, showing that sharp bettors recognized the Commodores' statistical advantages early in the week. Playing at home in Nashville with the better offensive metrics and getting only 2.5 points to lay, Vanderbilt represents solid value in what should be a competitive conference game.

Detailed Team Comparison

2024 Season Performance Analysis

Offensive Performance Metrics

Metric
LSU
Vanderbilt
Points Per Play (PPA)
0.186
0.463
Success Rate
44.7%
55.9%
Explosiveness
1.190
1.332
Line Yards Per Carry
2.4
3.5
Second Level Yards
0.9
1.4
Open Field Yards
1.4
2.4
Standard Down Success Rate
48.3%
58.3%
Passing Down Success Rate
36.6%
48.9%
Points Per Opportunity
3.744
5.450
Average Starting Field Position
70.2
66.4
Power Success Rate
70.0%
90.0%
Stuff Rate (Lower is Better)
24.0%
15.1%

Defensive Performance Metrics

Metric
LSU
Vanderbilt
Opponent PPA Allowed
0.043
0.152
Opponent Success Rate Allowed
37.4%
40.7%
Explosiveness Allowed
1.146
1.214
Line Yards Allowed
2.8
2.7
Second Level Yards Allowed
1.0
1.1
Open Field Yards Allowed
0.9
1.0
Standard Down Success Rate Allowed
45.2%
47.7%
Passing Down Success Rate Allowed
23.0%
26.4%
Points Per Opportunity Allowed
2.783
3.967
Average Field Position Given
75.5
73.9
Power Success Rate Allowed
80.0%
64.7%
Stuff Rate (Higher is Better)
19.1%
22.3%

Havoc Metrics

Metric
LSU
Vanderbilt
Total Havoc Created (Defense)
18.4%
20.1%
Front Seven Havoc Created
9.1%
14.3%
DB Havoc Created
9.4%
5.8%
Total Havoc Allowed (Offense)
16.2%
10.5%

Team Efficiency Analysis

Team Efficiency Comparison

Efficiency scores combine ELO ratings with EPA performance metrics. Position shows offensive vs defensive strengths relative to all FBS teams.

LSU

0.0
Offense: 0.0
Defense: 0.0
VS
Even Matchup

Vanderbilt

0.0
Offense: 0.0
Defense: 0.0

ELO Rating Analysis

ELO ratings provide a comprehensive measure of team strength based on historical performance and strength of schedule.

LSU ELO

1763

Vanderbilt ELO

1742

Game Information

Season Type: Regular
Conference Game: Yes
Game Time: