LSU’s focus in question

A week ago, Louisiana State coach Les Miles was thinking about a possible national championship. Now, his mind might be wandering to something very different.

Heading into last week's regular-season home finale against Southeastern Conference rival Arkansas, the Tigers had a shot at the national title firmly in their sights. A three-overtime loss ended those plans.

LSU is now faced with other extraneous issues, giving one real reason to expect something less than its full attention in the SEC title game today against Tennessee.

First, Michigan has received permission to talk to Miles about its coaching vacancy. Meanwhile, Tigers defensive coordinator Bo Pelini is being linked to Nebraska's coaching opening.

On the other sideline, Tennessee would not only appear to be the more focused team but has improved throughout the season, winning eight of its past nine games outright since starting 1-2.

The Volunteers are also 11-5 against the spread in their past 16 games as underdogs.

LSU is 1-7-1 against the spread in its past nine games.

The underdog in the Tennessee-LSU series has covered the past six meetings, so I'll take the 71/2 points and look for the Volunteers to keep it close.

Other selections for today (home team in CAPS):

• Missouri (+3) over Oklahoma -- Many handicappers are pointing toward the Sooners' perceived overall talent advantage in this Big 12 Conference championship matchup at San Antonio, but I'm banking on a Tigers team that is clicking on all cylinders and gaining confidence.

In the earlier matchup between the teams, Oklahoma defeated Missouri 41-31 in Norman, Okla., despite the Tigers having slight advantages in total yards and first downs. Tailback Tony Temple, a critical piece of the Missouri offense, did not play because of an injury.

This go-round, it is Oklahoma that is facing injury difficulties as freshman tailback DeMarco Murray, who played at Bishop Gorman High School, is out for the season. Murray represented one of the Sooners' true home run hitters.

Oklahoma is also not the same team away from Norman, as evidenced by a 5-16 record against the spread in its past 21 outings as an away favorite.

• Virginia Tech (-41/2) over Boston College -- On Oct. 25, Virginia Tech led Boston College 10-0 in the fourth quarter before the Golden Eagles scored two late touchdowns behind the arm of Matt Ryan for an improbable 14-10 victory over the stunned Hokies.

Virginia Tech has improved over the past month as the coaching staff learned to better use the talents of quarterbacks Sean Glennon and freshman Tyrod Taylor. The Hokies are 10-1 against the spread in their past 11 as an away favorite and have covered six of their past seven games.

• Arizona (+7) over ARIZONA STATE -- The well-rested Wildcats are playing for a bowl bid, and the Sun Devils have to be disappointed coming off their Thanksgiving Day loss to Southern California.

The visitor is 12-3 against the spread in this series, so the points traditionally have proven to be profitable.

• CENTRAL FLORIDA (-71/2) over Tulsa -- The Golden Knights are playing for the Conference USA title on their home field in Orlando, where they have been tough this season, posting a 5-1 straight-up record, with the loss by three points to Texas.

Central Florida knocked off Tulsa 44-23 in the previous meeting. The Golden Hurricane is 7-20 against the spread in its past 27 games on grass and 8-16 against the spread as an away conference underdog.

Last week: 5-2 against the spread

Season: 33-38-2

Texas-based handicapper Paul Stone of Vegas Sports Authority (vegassportsauthority.com) is providing weekly college football analysis for the Review-Journal this season.