LSU’s National Championship Odds Improve to +250 With Huge Win Over Alabama

• The LSU Tigers beat the Alabama Crimson Tide 46-41 on Saturday
• The Tide’s defense gave up a 559 yards of offense
• Read below to find out if LSU at +250 is a worthy National Championship wager

The LSU Tigers took care of business on Saturday with a huge win over the Alabama Crimson Tide. As a result, the College Football Championship odds shortened while Alabama’s took a huge hit. The Tigers now have a clear path to the College Football Playoff, so are they a good bet to win it all?

2020 National Championship Odds

Odds taken Nov. 10th

LSU Easily Handles Alabama

In what was one of the most anticipated games of the season, the Tigers turned aside Alabama 46-41. Although the final score suggested just a five-point margin, LSU was in control of the game almost the entire way. Although there were some concerns about Tua Tagovailoa’s health, it was mostly a non-story in this game.

The real story proved to be Alabama’s mistakes in the first half, which left them in a 33-13 deficit in the first half. They were able to cut it to a one-score game a couple of times in the second half but they had dug themselves too big of a hole.

The Tide had no answers for Joe Burrow, who is now the clear-cut Heisman Trophy frontrunner. He finished the day 31-of-39 with 393 passing yards, three touchdowns and added 64 more yards on the ground. Clyde Edwards-Helaire was also a big factor, compiling 180 total yards and four touchdowns.

Although Alabama’s mistakes loomed large, their defensive effort was nothing short of pathetic. Sure, LSU’s offense is among the best in the country but Alabama could not get stops when they needed to. LSU was 8-of-15 on third downs and totaled 559 yards of offense while possessing the ball for 34:34.

Tigers Now the Team to Beat

Given the nature of the win, it wouldn’t be surprising to see LSU as the No. 1 team in the country. Even if they are No. 2, this is now the team to beat. They have wins over No. 9 Texas, No. 7 Florida, No. 9 Auburn and No. 3 Alabama. With Ole Miss, Arkansas and Texas A&M left, they should finish the season 12-0.

While it’s true that they’ll probably have to face Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, even a one-loss LSU team might get into the College Football Playoff. Their odds are now down to +250 to win the National Championship after being at +400 entering the week.

Tide Tumble as CFP, Championship Become Longshot

We’ll have to see where Alabama lands after losing to LSU. A close home loss to the No. 1 team in the country could possibly keep them in or around the Top 4, so they are not out of it. Remember, No. 4 Penn State lost and No. 6 Georgia and No. 7 Oregon have uglier losses than Alabama’s.

Even if the Tide aren’t in right now, they still get to face No. 11 Auburn to end the season, so if they can beat them handily, they’ll be able to pad their resume a little bit more. At the same time, their hopes took a big hit in this spot.

No. 5 Clemson is still undefeated and will now surely earn a spot over Alabama. Meanwhile, the Tide will now have to contend with Penn State, Georgia, Oregon, Utah and Oklahoma as one-loss teams who have a case. The Tide are not far off but if someone, say, like Georgia wins out, they’ll keep Alabama out.

Alabama’s odds have gone from +275 (as National Championship favorite) to +1000, so it’s fairly clear the oddsmakers believe they need assistance to get in. The issue is also beyond that as the Tide looked very beatable on Saturday. They might not even be favored over teams like Clemson, Ohio State or LSU – if they make it.

What’s the Best Bet?

It’s still early in November but LSU looks like the team of destiny right now. It’s hard to see them missing out on the College Football Playoff in any scenario (unless they somehow lose twice) and once there, they’ll be the favorite to win it. Joe Burrow is currently the best player in the country and this offense is firing on all cylinders.

LSU versus Clemson or Ohio State will present some intriguing College Football Playoff matchups, but as of right now, you’d have to think the Tigers are the team to beat. They’ve passed all of their tests with flying colors and are worth a bet as the favorite.