Alabama opens as two-touchdown favorite over LSU

Alabama opened as a two-touchdown favorite over LSU in a prime-time SEC showdown in Death Valley that highlights a Saturday with major college football playoff implications.

Caesars Palace installed the Crimson Tide as 14.5-point road favorites over the Tigers, who haven't been this big of home underdogs since 1997. LSU was a 16.5-point home underdog against a top-ranked Florida team on Oct. 11, 1997, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. LSU upset the Gators 28-21 that day and are looking to do the same to No. 1 Alabama this week.

The Tigers will have their hands full, though, with the undefeated, juggernaut Crimson Tide, who have been favored in 115 of their past 116 games.

Alabama has beaten LSU seven straight times, winning by an average margin of 13 points per game.

Other notable opening lines at Caesars Palace: Penn State at Michigan -10; Georgia -9.5 at Kentucky, and Notre Dame -8 at Northwestern.