FSU football: Why is LSU a betting favorite over the Noles in 2023?

FSU football will rematch the LSU Tigers on September 3, a continuation of sorts from last year’s week one game. FSU won that thrilling game, 24-23, on a blocked extra point after LSU tied the game as time in regulation expired.

However, FSU could have blown LSU out if they converted a couple of plays. Both teams went on to win 10 games, including a bowl game. FSU finished 10-3, and LSU finished 10-4, with the fourth loss taking place against eventual national champion Georgia in the SEC Title game.

Interestingly enough, all of FSU’s three losses came against ranked opponents, by a combined score of 18 points. LSU lost to an unranked FSU(at the time), No. 8 Tennesse, a two-touchdown loss against a terrible Texas A&M team, and got boat-raced by Georgia.

FSU’s offense averaged more points per game, and its defense allowed fewer points per game last year.

I spoke about how Mike Norvell has taken lesser talented teams and given Brian Kelly coached teams fits in the podcast below (Like and Subscribe, more content is on the way!):

FSU returns the most experience and production of any team in the nation. Why is it that LSU ranks higher than FSU in every poll?

The line opened at a near pick’em, so why is LSU nearly a -3 betting favorite less than two weeks before the game?

I know bettors making bets on teams can move the numbers, but did that many people take LSU when the lines opened months ago? Are folks thinking it’s Brian Kelly’s second year, and he’ll have his team better prepared than in their season opener last year?

Could it be people assume LSU plays in the SEC and is the better team just off of that? LSU has talent on the roster for sure, but I’m not sure they have the better overall team going into 2023.

It’ll be interesting to see which direction this betting line moves between now and September 3rd.