Texas opens as slight underdog against LSU

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 07: Derrek Cooper #5 of the Texas Longhorns scores a touchdown during the first half against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on November 07, 2026 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images) | Getty Images With the No. 7 Texas Longhorns turning in a two-touchdown win on the road and the No. 14 LSU Tigers losing big at home to the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Tigers open as a 3.5-point favorite at home, according to FanDuel.The six-day selection is set for a 6:30 p.m. Central kickoff on ABC.LSU looked like an offensive juggernaut through its first eight games and stayed competitive in both losses, before Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama visited Tiger Stadium. The Tigers took a 13-10 lead late in the third quarter and looked in control; however, the Crimson Tide drove down the field in just five plays to take the lead. That was the first of three unanswered touchdowns that turned a once-tight game into a blowout.Lane Kiffin’s first year looks much like his predecessor Brian Kelly’s tenure in the Bayou, which ended in his third year after starting 5-3. Kiffin started 6-2, a run that includes a loss to his former team, Ole Miss, and an overtime win over Kentucky — now equaling Kelly’s loss total from the first eight games after giving up the lead and game against the Crimson Tide.Texas, for its part, played a more complete game than it has all year in Saturday’s 34-20 win over No. 18 Missouri, with the offense and defense playing complementary football for the first time. The offense capitalized on defensive stops, and the special teams avoided most, but not all, disastrous plays. In a year where Texas has struggled to put together a complete game plan and had to survive late-game theatrics, it was nice to see the Horns come out and execute in a way that left no doubt for those watching.Now, Texas has to go on the road to another tough environment, Death Valley in prime time, one of the toughest places in the country. The win over Missouri gave them another quality win for resume purposes, but winning out is the best way to secure their playoff future.