My wife once told me that she would leave me for Nick Saban, and I’ve been haunted by that statement ever since. So it might be easy for me to pick against Alabama based on my personal issues, but then, I graduated from Texas and still have a deep-seeded hatred for Texas A&M.
In other words, college football bettors can be sure that I dislike both sides equally in this SEC showdown. Saban pranced into Columbia last week with his Crimson Tide, thumping Missouri 38-19 after leading 28-3 at halftime. Meanwhile, Texas A&M’s struggles against Vanderbilt brought me endless joy as they eventually carded a 17-12 win despite being 30.5 point favorites.
For at least the duration of his article, I’m still happily married, so here are our best NCAA football picks and predictions for #13 Texas A&M vs. #2 Alabama in Tuscaloosa, with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 3.
Texas A&M Aggies vs Alabama Crimson Tide betting preview
Weather
The forecast looks mighty fine for Bryant-Denny Stadium. Expect a high of 75 degrees with very light wind out of the northeast at 5 mph and no rain. Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NCAA football weather info.
Key Injuries
Texas A&M: Clifford Chattman DB (out), Anthony Hines III LB (out), Jhamon Ausbon WR (out), Baylor Cupp TE (out), Blake Smith TE (out), Elijah Blades DB (out)
Alabama: No injuries to report
Find our latest NCAA football injury reports.
Betting Trend to Know
Crimson Tide are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following an ATS loss. Find more NCAA football betting trends for Texas A&M vs. Alabama.
Against the spread (ATS) pick
The Aggies certainly aren’t as bad as they looked in their season opener against Vanderbilt, but they were sloppy. The Ags suffered three turnovers, and this was a 14-12 game after three quarters. A&M was led by running back Isaiah Spiller, who racked up 117 yards on only eight carries, but they’ll need senior Kellen Mond to step up in Tuscaloosa. He’ll get some help from superstar freshman Demond Demas, who should play on Saturday after sitting out last week because coach Jimbo Fisher wanted more experience on the field.
Bama opened their season doing what Bama does. They didn’t cover the 28-point spread against the Tigers, but they flashed in all areas, and this game was over at halftime. Quarterback Mac Jones connected on 18 of 24 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns. Najee Harris did the ground work with 98 yards and three scores.
The Crimson Tide have won seven straight in this series since falling to Johnny Manziel and the Aggies back in 2012. Mond needs to show up in the worst way for Texas A&M to keep this game in the number, but the Tide have come together more quickly this season, and that’s not a good sign when you have to visit Tuscaloosa.
PREDICTION: Alabama -17 (-110)
Over/Under pick
Just like we saw in Missouri, Saban isn’t afraid to take his foot off the gas if Alabama gets rolling, but there’s probably less of a chance of that happening against a squad of A&M’s caliber. Still, the early money has hit the Under, and it’s 5-0 in A&M’s last five.
PREDICTION: Under 54 (-110)
Prop Pick
We watched the Tide come out quickly on the road in Columbia, and I expect we might see the same here. The Aggies are going to quickly realize that Alabama isn’t Vanderbilt, so let’s make some money in the first half to support my possible hiring of a divorce attorney.
PREDICTION: Alabama first half -9.5 (-134)
Texas A&M vs Alabama betting card
- Alabama -17 (-110)
- Under 54 (-110)
- Alabama first half -9.5 (-134)
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