The first college football game on New Year’s Day was played over 100 years ago. Since then, the game has established itself as one of the most exciting events of the year. Every year billions of dollars are bet on the games with the favorite typically being clear-cut. This year marks the 86th edition and despite some upsets, the betting lines are in favor of the visitors.
LSU vs Mississippi State Odds
The game between LSU and Mississippi State is currently settled in favor of the Tigers with the betting odds having been placed at 1.40 with the bookmaker. This is actually a significant rise in the odds since last week when the sites were offering 1.55 for LSU. Similarly, the line has rocketed up since last month when it was 1.30 and even more so since mid-September when it was 1.40. Odds like these usually indicate that the betting public is shifting heavily in favor of one team or another in a given matchup. This trend is likely to continue this week as the betting lines move to reflect the changing momentum.
What Will Happen in This Game?
Unlike most college football games, the LSU vs Mississippi State matchup is a rivalry game that truly tests the physical and mental mettle of both teams. It pits two of the best defenses in the country against two of the best quarterbacks in the SEC West. Last year, the Bulldogs stunned the world by knocking off the defending national champions 21-0 in Starkville. After a relatively quiet 2016 season both teams come primed for a massive upset.
LSU has the best offense in the SEC while the state of Mississippi boasts the best defense. This is a recipe for one of the most exciting games of the year. It also means that coaches and players on both sides will be motivated to ensure their squad comes out on top. It’s safe to assume this will be yet another hard-fought battle between two of the most successful programs in the history of the game. It’s also possible this could be one of the most memorable games in the history of the rivalry. The buildup to this game is already reaching epic proportions with teams from both sides going head-to-head in practices that have been overshadowed by the hype. While the game itself won’t draw many viewers, the buildup is sure to draw a large audience.
The History of the Series
As mentioned above, this year marks the 86th edition of the LSU vs Mississippi State football game and the rivalry dates back to 1912. The history books might differ but it’s generally accepted that the game was born out of one of the most horrific tragedies in the history of sports. In that year, a college football game was being played in Jackson, Mississippi when arsonists set fire to the players’ lockers and the team had to play the entire game with their bags packed. A year later, the schools found themselves in the same situation and decided to hold the game at Tigers Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They’ve played there ever since and the venue is now known as the Death Valley due to the extreme temperatures that can be experienced there on a regular basis. This is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest stadiums in all of sports and is regularly voted among the top ten venues in the country.
What is the Market on this Game?
With this year being the 100th anniversary of the game, it’s only natural that the market has shifted in favor of LSU. The public has always had a long-standing aversion to betting on rivalries and generally avoids doing so. However, in light of the historical significance of this game, it’s likely that more and more people will be tempted to give it a try. Of course, with so much at stake, the bookmakers will be keen to accommodate these potential customers and offer them the best possible odds. In the case of the LSU-MS state game, the lines have almost completely adjusted in favor of the Tigers. If you’re looking to place a wager on this game, you might have to dig pretty deep into your pockets since the minimum bet is typically $10,000.
How Has This Game’s Rivalry Changed over the Years?
Since its inception, the LSU vs Mississippi State rivalry has seen some pretty significant changes. When originally played at Scott Field, it was one of the few games that was actually decided by the officials since both teams were known to be exceptionally physical. Back in those days, it wasn’t uncommon for players to pull each other’s hair and tackle them hard. This sometimes resulted in serious injuries. Despite the rougher play, fans and participants have continued to enjoy the game as much as ever. Over the years, the stadiums and the conditions they used to play in have gradually improved. In 1935, the schools decided to play the game in front of a nationally-televised audience and moved to what was then known as the Delta Athletic League. The game continued to grow in stature and by the late 1930s, it became clear that a new stadium was going to be necessary if the schools wanted to continue playing a competitive game. In 1947, a new stadium, now known as Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, was opened and the rest, as they say, is history. Since then, the game has continued to evolve as much as the schools themselves have. The fans have gotten more and more involved and now travel to the game in large numbers. It’s also one of the most-watched games on TV each week with over a million people tuned in to watch last year’s matchup. For a game that only draws a few thousand a week, this is a pretty significant audience. When the smoke starts to clear from all of this, the only thing that will be left is one more massive upset. These two teams are too good, too smart, and too focused on each other to allow for anything else.