My, how the mighty have fallen. In a span of just seven days, the Texas A&M Aggies went from a Top 10 team to one with no shot whatsoever to either win the SEC West or reach the College Football Playoff with successive losses to Alabama and Ole Miss. The Aggies should get back on track this week though against one of the weaklings of the SEC East, the South Carolina Gamecocks.
ODDS ANALYSIS
In fairness to the oddsmakers, it's not like they didn't see this coming with the Aggies. They lined A&M at just -6 against Arkansas and -4 against Mississippi State, and after those two wins came lines of +5 against Alabama and +6 at Ole Miss. Theoretically, the Aggies have just done what the oddsmakers expected of them.
This game though, is clearly a reprieve. The Aggies have only been favored by more than a touchdown against Nevada and Ball State, but that'll all change this Saturday. They opened at -14 against the Gamecocks but have since been bet up to -16.5 with a total of 55.
KEY MISMATCH
Steve Spurrier decided to step away from the program at South Carolina because his team just didn't have a quarterback or an offensive identity. It's not like a bye week has changed any of that.
Connor Mitch is supposed to be back from a shoulder injury this week, but whether he will end up taking over for Perry Orth or not remains to be seen.
It's not like it matters all that much.
Orth is completing 52.4 percent of his passes. Mitch is good for just 44.8 percent of his.
Texas A&M's defense is averaging 3.0 sacks per game and just under a pick per game as well. Clearly, this is a tough draw for whoever is under center for SC.
KEY STAT
3.6 – The number of points per game the Gamecocks are averaging this year in the first quarter. If you start off slow against Kyle Allen and the Aggies, you're asking for trouble, as A&M is good for almost as many points per game in first halves this season - 19.5 - as the Gamecocks are scoring per game - 20.4.
BETTING ANGLE
South Carolina has failed to cover five straight games against teams with winning records. Remember that we're only a couple weeks removed from Vanderbilt garnering all of the betting attention against these Gamecocks in a game played in Columbia. Yes, SC covered that game, but this is a far different challenge. In games this year against truly good teams, LSU pounded the Gamecocks by 21, while Georgia hung a 52-20 score on them.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
There's just no reason to believe this game is going to be any different. The Aggies have an aggressive defense, one which is going to make life a living hell on the Gamecocks' offense.
Furthermore, Allen has really struggled these last two weeks, failing to complete even 45 percent of his passes against Alabama and Mississippi. He threw four picks in those two games with just one touchdown.
We suspect the sophomore will have a 300+ yard game in this one with multiple touchdowns, and the Aggies will roll into the sunset with a victory to get back on track.
Texas A&M 38, South Carolina 10
BookMaker opened the spread for this Saturday game before anyone else on the internet. The Texas A&M Aggies opened at -14 alongside a total of 50. In-game spreads, totals, moneylines and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker's new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here, and start wagering today! The battle between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Texas A&M Aggies will kick off Saturday, October 31, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. ET at Kyle Field. The contest will be broadcast nationally on the SEC Network.
