Despite leading 17-10 at the break, winning the turnover battle and holding Alabama to just 23 rushing yards, Texas A&M (4-2 SU, 4-2 ATS) blew an opportunity to take control of the SEC West last Saturday, losing 26-20. The Aggies have now lost their two biggest games this season but immediately get another chance to redeem themselves, visiting No. 19 Tennessee (4-1, 3-2) at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Here we look at Texas A&M vs. Tennessee odds, props, predictions.
Texas A&M has gone 15-3 against SEC East squads since 2014, which includes a 34-13 wire-to-wire win in its lone trip into Knoxville to close out the 2020 COVID-impacted regular season.
The Vols have been favored in every game this season, losing only to the Gators in Gainesville roughly one month ago. They’re fresh off a bye and are 3-1 with an extra week to prepare under Josh Heupel.
Tennessee is 17-3 in its home state since Heupel’s hire, winning 14 straight. This will be the first time the Vols are favored at home against an SEC West opponent since losing to Arkansas as 6-point “chalk” back in 2015.
The team is 2-13 SU (3-12 ATS) against SEC West foes at Neyland Stadium. This will be the fifth-ever matchup between these schools. A&M has won both meetings against the Vols since joining the conference, but has lost both bowl games they’ve played, falling 38-7 on Jan. 1, 2005 in the Cotton Bowl and 3-0 in the 1957 Gator Bowl.
Texas A&M vs. Tennessee odds: Point spread, moneyline, total
Here are the latest college football betting odds for Aggies vs. Vols:
After opening as field goal favorite and -160 on the moneyline, Tennessee is currently and for an outright win.
Texas A&M is to pull the road upset. The total was bet down early to 55 at most sportsbooks after opening at 56.
Texas A&M betting news: Offense looks to rebound after sputtering
The Aggies managed only a field goal in last week’s second half against ‘Bama and actually cost the team points in surrendering a costly safety late in the fourth quarter, putting a comeback out of reach.
QB Max Johnson finished 14-for-25, throwing for 239 yards, and the A&M rushing attack averaged just 1.9 yards per carry. Even though Ainias Smith changed field position via the return game, a lack of offense was ultimately the culprit for why the 12th Man couldn’t collectively storm the field.
The Aggies’ 20 points were a season low, and even though Alabama has one of the nation’s most talented defenses, it remains concerning that they packed such little punch given the return of all five offensive linemen and talented skill players like WRs Smith, Evan Stewart and Moose Muhammad in addition to talented RB Le’Veon Moss. A&M looks to rebound against a Tennessee defense that registered six sacks and scored via a pick-six in beating Spencer Rattler-led South Carolina.
Head coach Jimbo Fisher came up as an offensive guru who gained national recognition working under Nick Saban at LSU. His new offensive coordinator is Bobby Petrino, a respected tactician who has been a head coach at Louisville, Arkansas, Western Kentucky and for the NFL’s Falcons.
After being accused of being too conservative in wasting opportunities and mismanagement, the A&M offensive brain trust has much to prove. Fisher blames himself for this season’s losses. He’ll look to rebound by snapping a run of seven consecutive road defeats. He hasn’t beaten a ranked opponent away from home since he was at Florida State back in 2016.
RELATED: Best sports betting bonuses | Top-rated sportsbook apps
Tennessee betting news: Vols healthier post-bye as grueling stretch begins
The Vols bounced back from their ugly loss at Florida, where they were held to 16 points, their third-lowest output of the Heupel era. They cracked the 40-point mark in wins over UTSA and South Carolina. Coming off a bye, they’ll have some new wrinkles straight out of the lab that A&M must be wary of.
QB Joe Milton is no Hendon Hooker, but he has completed 63 percent of his passes, throwing nine touchdowns. He’s struggled in SEC play, so how he performs here should dictate whether Tennessee can be successful.
In RB Jaylen Wright and WR Squirrel White, Milton has All-SEC-level playmakers surrounding him. Cooper Mays returned for the win over the Gamecocks, fortifying an already strong offensive line.
The Under is 3-2 in Vols games this season, and DC TIm Banks has gotten great results out of his defense since late last year. Over the past seven games, UT has allowed an average of 14.7 points.
The unit could be even stronger here since last week’s bye bought time for injured CB Doneiko Slaughter to return. Key LB Keenan Pili is still sidelined, but Tennessee’s defense has proven deep enough to replace him. His return should come soon, which is good news since games at Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri and home against Georgia loom after this one.
Texas A&M vs. Tennessee props
Here are a few props picks to consider on this SEC matchup:
- Texas A&M WR Evan Stewart OVER 55.5 receiving yards (-114)
- Tennessee RB Jaylen Wright OVER 55.5 rushing yards (-114)
A&M’s Stewart was the primary target six times in last week’s second half but only ended up with a single reception following the first quarter, so it will be a point of emphasis to get the most dynamic of the Aggies receivers the ball in Knoxville.
Wright has topped the 100-yard mark in three of five games this season, and even though the Aggies were able to shut down the ‘Bama ground game, we should see Tennessee’s top back do some damage. Wright is averaging 5.8 yards per carry in ‘23 and should see double-digit touches in UT’s up-tempo attack.
Texas A&M vs. Tennessee prediction
Although there may be some rain in the morning, it’s supposed to be a cloudy, comfortable day for these offenses to operate. A&M will be looking to aggressively take chances after a conservative approach did it no favors last weekend, while the Vols work at one of the fastest paces in the nation and will do their thing at home.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see both teams top the 30-point mark, so the high side is worth a look.
Pick: Over 55
21+ in most states. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER