The #9 Texas A&M Texas A&M Aggies shoot for a 5-0 record as they travel to face the South Carolina Gamecocks Saturday afternoon. Kickoff from Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina is at for 4 pm ET. National TV coverage is brought to you by the SEC Network. According to the most recent odds, Texas A&M is a 17.5 point favorite in this contest with the over/under set at 47.5 points.
Texas A&M remained unbeaten with a 45-24 victory over #17 Arkansas in the Southwest Classic last week. South Carolina fell 17-10 on the road against Kentucky last week, falling back to the .500 mark. This is the third all-time meeting between the schools. Texas A&M won both the previous encounters, including a 35-28 win at home last season in the most recent meeting.
Texas A&M has done a lot offensively with Oklahoma transfer Trevor Knight running the show. The Aggies average 545.8 yards and 43 points per game so far this season. Texas A&M is 10th in the FBS with 269.3 rushing yards per game. They average seven yards a carry. South Carolina gives up 198.5 rushing yards a game and 4.7 yards per carry. The Gamecocks are better stopping the pass as they allow 200.8 yards per game. South Carolina holds the opposition to a 119.7 passer rating on the year while recording nine sacks and seven takeaways.
Texas A&M is almost doing all that in spite of Knight: he’s only hit 53.2 percent of his throws for 1,055 yards with seven touchdowns and two picks. Knight is mobile as evidenced by his 308 yards and five scores. He can evade pressure and get it done with his legs. Trayveon Williams (40 carries, 389 yards, 3 TD) and Keith Ford (42 carries, 210 yards, 3 TD) are a solid combination. Christian Kirk (21 receptions, 211 yards, 3 TD) and Josh Reynolds (17 grabs, 370 yards, 3 TD) are a good 1-2 receiving duo.
The Gamecocks are struggling offensively as they average 282.8 yards and 14.3 points per game this season. The scoring average is 127th in FBS. In case you’re scoring at home, that’s second worst in the nation. South Carolina needs more from the ground game than the 90.8 yards per game (124th in FBS) they’ve gotten. The Gamecocks average only three yards a carry. Gamecocks QBs are hitting only 52.8 percent of their throws for 192 yards a game. If South Carolina can’t rack up yards against a Texas A&M defense that gives up 390.8 yards per contest, this will be a long day. Texas A&M is weaker against the pass than the run. The Aggies allow 262.5 yards per game through the air but there are positives. Texas A&M has 12 sacks, eight takeaways and allow just 6.4 yards per pas attempt.
Texas A&M rolled their way to a perfect record going into this one. The Aggies had their way offensively in the other two games against the Gamecocks. Texas A&M hung 680 yards and 52 points in their last visit to Columbia and 35 points plus 544 yards at home last year. The Gamecocks struggle to do much offensively and blew an opportunity last week against the Wildcats. The Aggies have an aggressive defense with playmakers and an explosive offense, even with Knight’s struggles. Texas A&M should win this one comfortably. To get more of our picks, check back daily for the latest updates!
Texas A&M is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game. The Aggies are also 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after scoring more than 40 points in their previous game. South Carolina is 3-7 ATS vs. a team with a winning record and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.