LSU Rising Up 2020 CFP National Title Odds

• The LSU Tigers have won at least nine games in each of the last two seasons
• They’re coming off a 10-3 season along with a win over UCF in the Fiesta Bowl
• The Tigers’ passing game looks much improved, which should get this team in the College Football Playoff conversation

The LSU Tigers have shot up the boards in terms of the odds to win the 2020 National Championship. They were as low as +4600 in mid-April but are now up to +2800 just two months later.

Is this a sign that sharps are betting on LSU and, therefore, a reason to back them? Let’s take a closer look to see if this is a good investment.

2020 National Championship Odds

*Odds taken 06/19/19

Does Coach O Have This Program On The Right Track?

Head Coach Ed Orgeron seems to have this program on the right track. Nobody is complaining about a 10-3 season – especially after Coach O led this team to a 9-4 record the year before and 6-2 in 2016. At the same time, standards are high at LSU and its unclear just how good LSU was last year.

Sure, they had some impressive wins against ranked teams like No. 8 Miami, No. 7 Auburn, No. 2 Georgia and No. 22 Mississippi State. But other than Georgia, each of those ranked teams proved to be overrated. None of those teams (besides Georgia) finished in the Top 25.

Beyond that, when you look at their games versus the other ranked teams, they didn’t play all that well. Of course, No. 1 Alabama is the measuring stick in the SEC and they lost 29-0. They lost a tight 74-72 seven-overtime thriller at Texas A&M and were handled 27-19 by Florida. Just how good is this team if they can’t beat top competition?

Rave Reviews Of Burrow, Passing Game

There’s no question that LSU – even dating back to the Les Miles days – has had an elite defense. Pound-for-pound, they can go toe-to-toe with the best of them. However, their offense – and specifically, the passing game – has been nothing short of pathetic. From Jordan Jefferson to Zach Mettenberger to Anthony Jennings and Danny Etling and Brandon Harris, they’ve all been game managers.

Last year, for the first time in a long time, the Tigers looked like they had a quarterback that can go out and win them games. Joe Burrow transferred from Ohio State but didn’t arrive until summer. Even so, he had a quality year with 2,894 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions.

With most of the components relating to the passing game back and Burrow drawing rave reviews in offseason work, the Tigers appear to be in best position to field their strongest passing game in a long time.

Joe Brady Could Elevate The Passing Game Too

One under-the-radar hire the Tigers made this offseason was reeling in Joe Brady away from the New Orleans Saints. He’s going to be the passing game coordinator for the Tigers and (hopefully) bring this team into the new age. It’s possible their pound-the-rock and pass only when necessary offense is gone.

Coach O has been throwing heaps of praise on the offense – especially the passing game – suggesting that he finally sees the offense he’s always wanted. If that’s the case, look out.

Be Bullish On LSU

The odds here don’t truly reflect a team that’s really just one piece away. Sure, the Tigers haven’t been close to a National Championship in recent years but it’s mostly been because of one thing: a pathetic passing game. They’ve had a strong running game, great offensive lines and elite defenses.

By all accounts, the passing game continues to improve and should be very good. If that’s the case, this there’s not much missing on this team.

In terms of the schedule, they’ll have to go to Texas and to Alabama, but all of their other tough games are at home. They’ll host Florida and they’ll host Texas A&M, and there’s no Georgia on the schedule this year. If they can split the two road games with Texas an Alabama, this team will have a shot at making the College Football Playoff.

I’d rather them at +4600 but at +2800, there’s still value on the board. Bet the Tigers.