Texas A&M +21On paper, if you look at it, Texas should win this game by 35. Will that happen? Who knows. I personally do not think so and here's why.
Since 1990 (and I didn't go further because 20 years is enough) Texas and A&M have faced off at Kyle Field 10 times, and only once has the game gotten out of hand where Texas won by more than 3 scores. This is an arch rival, and emotions are always high.
A&M has played very well at home this year. They are 5-1 with a very tough loss to Oklahoma State, who is a good football team (that UT destroyed I know).
I think A&M can keep this game to 14-17 points and maybe even get a backdoor cover. Mack has no incentive to run the score up in this one. He needs to win 2 games and he is in the MNC. I think if UT gets a lead we might see a little conservative approach.
In the games where we saw UT's offense not light people up were TT, OU and UCF. What do all these schools have in common? Their ability to get too and sack the QB. All of those schools are top 10 nationally in sacks...so I like my chances considering A&M is #11 in the country in sacks with the leading sack master in regards to Von Williams who has 15+.
A&M HAS to run the football. Even though it probably will not work, they have to give the ball to Michael and their other back to keep UT from pinning their ears back under Muschamps system. I think they will have decent success and kind of take the air out of the ball a bit.
Ultimately...will A&M win? I really don't think they have a shot to win, but I do think they have a shot to keep it close. I think there is a strong possibility we see like a 38-13 game and A&M gets a cheap on late in the contest. We'll see, but thats my play and thoughts. A&M has to get to Colt to affect him, and its something that UT has been vulnerable with this year (57th in sacks allowed) and A&M has been good at (11th nationally in sacks).