The 15th-ranked Auburn Tigers claw their way into College Station to get down with the Texas A&M Aggies in an SEC Conference clash this weekend. The game is scheduled to get underway on Saturday, November 4th at High Noon EST. The inner-conference showdown can also be viewed on the ESPN Network for your early game enjoyment. Coming into this affair, Las Vegas has the Tigers as a -15 point favorite and the contest’s total now sits at 51.5.
The Auburn Tigers had a bye week last Saturday after defeating the Arkansas Razorbacks 52-20 on the road. The victory was a nice bounce-back performance after losing to LSU the week prior. Up until then, Auburn had four straight games and was looking like they had figured things out. Now, the Tigers sit at 4-1 in the SEC West division and 6-2 overall.
The Texas A&M Aggies are trying to regroup after the Mississippi State Bulldogs came into Kyle Field and beat them down 35-14 last week. The loss pushed their conference record to 3-2 on the season. Heading into this game against Auburn, Texas A&M sits 5-3 overall and needs this victory to become bowl eligible.
Last year, the Texas A&M Aggies beat the Auburn Tigers in Alabama to the tune of 29-16. In six games against Auburn, the Aggies have won four, including the last three on the Tigers’ home turf.
Texas A&M Aggies (5-3)
The Aggies had been on the right track since losing to UCLA 44-45 in overtime on opening day. In fact, they had won five of their last six, and even the 27-19 loss to Alabama at home showed their improvement. But last week, they played a horrible game in their loss to the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Quarterback Kellen Mond came up injured in the fourth quarter last weekend. He was replaced by the Aggies original starter Nick Starkel, who opened the season against the Bruins. Unfortunately, Texas A&M was down big at that point and he was forced to try to make plays down the field to get them back in it. Eventually, he was picked off for a 90-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Before his departure from injury, Kellen Mond wasn’t doing so hot. Mond had only completed eight of 26 passes for 56 yards and two picks. Overall, he has been about as average a signal-caller as you could find in the FBS. In 2017, he has completed 50 percent of his throws for 1,281 yards with seven touchdowns and six picks.
Two running backs help keep the pressure off of their quarterback for the Aggies. Trayveon Williams and Keith Ford have combined for 840 yards and 13 trips to the promised land. Neither back was effective against the Bulldogs last weekend, but a large part was due to the fact they were playing from behind for most of the game.
All-conference performer Christian Kirk has done pretty well considering the struggles at the quarterback position. The speedy wide receiver has reeled in 34 catches for almost 400 yards and five scores. Two other pass-catchers pitch in for another 570 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Texas A&M was awful, allowing 369 yards against Mississippi State. But they couldn’t Bulldogs’ quarterback Nick Fitzgerald who tossed the rock for 141 yards and two scores. He also ran for 105 yards and a trip to glory. On the year, the Aggie defense allows 147.6 rushing yards (48th), and 231.4 (76th) passing yards per game.
(15) Auburn Tigers (6-2)
The Tigers fell at LSU, 27-23 on October 14th to snap a four-game winning streak. The next week, they faced the Razorbacks on the road and thumped them by 32. Auburn never really was threatened, taking a 17-6 lead at the half. After the break, they scored the next three touchdowns in the third quarter and it was all she wrote.
The Auburn Tigers used a balanced running attack led by senior Kamryn Pettway. The powerful back ran for 90 yards three touchdowns. All totaled, the offense rushed for 345 yards and amassed 629 total yards and 26 first downs.
There is little doubt that the Tigers prefer to run the ball first then pass it after the opposing defense is softened up. Leading the way is tailbacks, Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson. The duo has combined for just over 1,000 yards and an impressive 20 touchdowns. Johnson leads the team with 723 yards and 14 scores. Pettway has pitched in with another 305 yards and six scores. Apparently, Pettway fractured his scapula in the game against the Razorbacks and will be out for the rest of the year.
Quarterback Jarrett Stidham isn’t asked to carry the bulk of the offense. Instead, he has been asked to manage the game without costing his school by making mistakes. So far, he has done just that by passing the ball for 1,728 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions.
When Jarrett Stidham does look down the field, he likes to throw to wideout Ryan Davis. Davis clearly leads the Tigers with 41 catches and also has almost 400 receiving yards and three scores. Teammate Will Hastings is Auburn’s big-play guy. The speedy wide receiver has only caught 17 passes but they have gone for 357 yards (21 ypc), and three touchdowns.
Last time out on defense, Auburn gave up just 334 total yards and forced three fumbles. On the season, the Tigers are allowing just 302 yards per game (13th), 178 passing yards (17th,) and 124.4 yards rushing (24th). They are especially adept at keeping teams off the scoreboard, surrendering only with 15 points per game (9th). Clearly, the Tigers will have the defensive edge heading into this match-up against the Aggies.
Prediction
Las Vegas has the Tigers as a gaudy 15 point favorite because they are obviously the better club. Also, Auburn has had a weeks rest and should be raring to go this Saturday. The loss of tailback Kamryn Pettway stings a bit but they have enough talent in their backfield to keep the chains moving. Besides, the Aggies’ offense looks to be in disarray and that’s bad news with Auburn’s defense coming into College Station. Either way, the 15 point line is a lot in an SEC match-up so I’m suggesting to stay clear of this spread.
Instead, I believe there is a good chance that these two schools could limit each other enough to keep the game under 51 points. Even if the Tigers move the ball effectively against a decent Aggie defense, their defense should limit the struggling A& M offense. The Aggies haven’t breached the 20 point mark in the last three weeks and I don’t see that changing now. Play the under 51.5 and root for the defenses to rule the day. #moneytreesgrow @EriktheHun
To place a wager on this SEC match-up or any other game that peaks your interest, go to BetDSI Sportsbook.
Trends
The Tigers are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
The Over is 5-0 in the Tigers last 5 games overall.
The Aggies are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
The Under is 4-0 in the Aggies last 4 games overall.
Road team is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
