2019 Fiesta Bowl Betting Odds: Opening Line for LSU-UCF

2018 Fiesta Bowl Odds

• Betting Line: LSU -7.5
• Over/Under: N/A
• Date: Jan. 1
• Time: 1 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN

UCF is playing in a New Year's Six bowl against an SEC team for the second straight year. This time, it's against LSU.

The Tigers surprised a lot of people this year by going 9-3 against probably the toughest schedule in the nation. They won at Auburn and at home against Georgia and Mississippi State, and beat Miami on a neutral field to open the season.

UCF went unbeaten for a second-straight year despite a new head coach and loads of turnover on defense. Last year, the Knights upset an unmotivated Auburn in the Peach Bowl.

2018 Fiesta Bowl Betting Odds

LSU opened as a 4-point favorite and was quickly bet up to -6 against UCF. It was -7.5 on Monday morning.

How LSU Reached the Fiesta Bowl

LSU's win total was set at just 7 before the season, and a lot of people (myself included) thought Ed Orgeron's squad would have a tough time getting there given the Tigers' rough schedule.

But LSU raced out to a 5-0 start before losing a nail-biter to Florida in Gainesville. The Tigers responded by beating Georgia and Mississippi State, and eventually lost to Alabama at home, 29-0.

LSU's offense hasn't shown much all season — it ranks 91st nationally in yards per play. But thanks to a feisty defense, excellent special teams and timely plays by quarterback Joe Burrow, the Tigers had a solid season.

Expect LSU to be motivated in the Fiesta Bowl against UCF.

How UCF Reached the Fiesta Bowl

Another year, another unbeaten season for UCF.

The Knights never really entered the College Football Playoff conversation, as the committee has made it clear a Group of 5 team would need to play a strong non-conference schedule to really have a chance at getting in.

UCF did lose star quarterback McKenzie Milton for the season in its last regular-season game, but backup Darriel Mack Jr. led the Knights to a comeback win over Memphis in the AAC Championship Game. Mack threw for 348 yards, ran for 59 more and had six total touchdowns.