Editors Note: Every week throughout the NCAA football season our newest sports betting writer, Greg Matson of Bet Smart Podcast, will review different college football games from a sports betting point of view. Greg will also dive into some further game analysis for his favorite picks of the week, as well as give the readers a weekly college football preview.
Alabama (1-0) vs Texas A&M (1-0)
Spread: Texas -17 (-110)
Over/Under: 53 points
Time: 3:30pm ET (CBS)
For Nick Saban this is the same old story, back in the Top 5, chasing an SEC championship and more importantly, National Title. Saban has another new challenge this year after losing the bulk of starters on both sides of the ball. Typical Alabama though this team, led by Mack Jones and Najee Harris looked terrific last week taking a 28-3 lead into halftime against Missouri before eventually winning 38-19.
As expected, the Tide offense will run through the veteran Jones who went 18-24 last week for 249 yards and 2 scores. Amongst the few returners Harris offers a ton of stability in the backfield both with and without the ball, showing his ability to pass block as well as help this new offensive unit. Harris last week went for 98 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on his own versus the Tigers on Saturday respectively. The powerful runner should expect to get the ball early and often again this weekend against an inexperienced Texas A&M defensive unit.
A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher has his hands full this weekend going up against what he calls as “one of the best in the country with no question.” After looking extremely pedestrian in a 17-13 win over Vanderbilt last week they will now go up against a team who has a championship on the brain. Aggie QB Kellen Mond will have to be at his very best this weekend and the defense needs to buck up in a big way. who The Aggies are dealing with injuries and team violations as well. They lost No. 1 wide receiver Jamar Osman to team violations, along with losing four starters off defense, all whom opted out this season with Covid-19 concerns.
The Crimson Tide are on a warpath to another title and I think this defensive unit will only continue to get stronger with each snap. Jones looked terrific last week playing about half the game and I expect Saban to make sure this one has some separation before he brings in his back up squad. Mond will continue to struggle for A&M until his offensive unit gains experience. This team may be very good, but it is going to take the young talent time to mold and figure out how to play together. A&M who struggled against Vanderbilt with 3 turnovers, just 372 total yards and little signs of any deep threat now goes into Tuscaloosa against a force too strong and organized to handle. Gimme Alabama in a blowout.
Pick: Alabama -17 (-110)
