Baylor vs LSU prediction & betting tips - Dec. 31 - Texas Bowl

The Baylor Bears will face the LSU Tigers on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. ET in the Texas Bowl. The game can be seen on ESPN.

Baylor (8-4) ended the year with a 45-17 win over Kansas. LSU (8-4) ended the year with a 37-17 win over Oklahoma.

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Baylor vs LSU: Preview

Baylor is a 2.5-point favorite while the over/under is set at 59 points.

The Bears ended the season on a six-game winning streak as Baylor now has confidence going into 2025. The Bears only have one player not playing in the game due to them being in the portal:

• Alvin Ebosele, OT (transfer portal)

Baylor will be led by Sawyer Robertson who threw for 2,626 yards, 26 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Bryson Washington rushed for 1,004 yards and 12 touchdowns as the running back was a key part of their offense. Josh Cameron, meanwhile, had 643 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns.

LSU, meanwhile, has several players not playing in the Citrus Bowl:

• Sage Ryan, DB (transfer portal)
• Da'Shawn Womack, DE (transfer portal)
• Xavier Atkins, LB (transfer portal)
• Bernard Causey III, CB (transfer portal)
• Kylin Jackson, S (transfer portal)
• Shelton Sampson Jr., WR (transfer portal)
• CJ Daniels, WR (transfer portal)
• Landon Ibieta, WR (transfer portal)
• Rickie Collins, QB (transfer portal)
• Kyren Lacy, WR (NFL draft)

LSU is led by quarterback Garrett Nussmeier who threw for 3,739 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Caden Durham has rushed for 693 yards and 6 touchdowns. However, top receiver Kyren Lacy won't play due to him declaring for the draft, which is a tough loss for the offense.

“Here’s what I know, the guys that will be fielding for this team will be 100% committed to getting a positive outcome. They’ll be playing because they want to be playing,” coach Brian Kelly said, via BRProud.

LSU will have some key players not playing which will hurt their chances of winning the Bowl game. Baylor, meanwhile, found something down the stretch as Robertson played well and will be able to succeed against the LSU defense.

The Tigers' defense was an issue this season, as Baylor should be able to score both passing and running the ball as the Bears will be able to get a big win here.

Prediction: Baylor 37, LSU 31

Baylor vs LSU: Betting Tips

Tip 1: Baylor ML (-130)

Tip 2: Baylor -2.5 (-110)

Tip 3: Over 59 points (-112)