SMU vs Texas A+M College Football Handicapping
The No. 10 Texas A&M Aggies will have to get past their loss to Alabama quickly, as they face a formidable foe on Saturday in the Southern Methodist Mustangs. The Aggies have dominated the series in recent years, but they could be in some trouble in a possible letdown spot.
Southern Methodist Mustangs (1-1) at 10 Texas A&M Aggies (2-1)
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2013
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Kyle Field
City: College Station, Texas
O/U Odds: 79
Spread: Texas A&M -28
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Texas A&M came out the losers in the Game of the Millennium, now can they find the motivation to face off with a lesser foe in SMU?
The Aggies were lucky to get to host the Crimson Tide in an obvious revenge game, and were able to explode out of the gates, building up a 14-0 lead before Alabama was even able to gain a first down, but it went largely downhill from there.
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There were some definite positives to draw from. Quarterback Johnny Manziel threw for a career-high 464 yards, adding five touchdowns. He also rushed for 98 yards, giving him a total of 562 yards in the game. Manziel also put together a spectacular highlight reel play, backing up from the line of scrimmage, breaking free of a pass rusher, then heaving the ball deep down the middle of the field for a long completion. Mike Evans was Manziel’s favorite target on the day. The two hooked up nine times for 279 yards. Evans has now hauled in at least four balls in all 16 games he has played for the Aggies. All in all, Texas A&M racked up more yards of offense against Alabama than any team had in the program’s history. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
One the other side of the ball, the Aggie defense, which had struggled mightily in their first two games, was expected to turn the corner in this one, getting back three suspended players for the contest, but they took another step backward, allowing Alabama to score six touchdowns. The unit allowed four passing touchdowns to A.J. McCarron, and might have had an even tougher time stopping the run, allowing 234 yards on 37 rushes.
SMU eked out a 31-30 win over Montana State in their last game. Garrett Gilbert led the way, completing 35 of 48 passes for 317 yards, including a four-yard touchdown late to put SMU ahead for good. That final score was to Darius Joseph, Gilbert’s favorite target in the game. Joseph caught 12 balls for 113 yards in the win. The Mustangs showed a lot of fight in the game, trailing early, 22-5, before clawing back for the win.
Texas A&M could face a letdown here, or they could come out guns a blazin’ and run SMU right out of their building. Expect them to put on a good show for their home crowd in this one.
The Aggies are 5-0 ATS in their last five games in the month of September.
The play: Texas A&M -28
