Texas A&M football: Aggies, SEC Week 9 predictions, picks against the spread
By Jeff Shull
Texas A&M Aggies at Mississippi State Bulldogs
Saturday, October 27 at 6:00pm CT; Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, MS
TV: ESPN; Line: Mississippi State -2; Over/Under: 43.5
Jeff Shull
Am I going to be the only one that picks against the Aggies this time around? It didn’t go well for me when I did it with South Carolina. I’m more confident going into this game, and see the only way the Aggies lose is if Nick Fitzgerald comes out of nowhere to beat the Aggies with his arm. The Wrecking Crew rush defense is fantastic, but have been below average stopping the pass.
To me, Kellen Mond and Fitzgerald will determine this game. Mond is just better.
Texas A&M 23, Mississippi State 10 (Texas A&M, Under)
Robert Ford
Mond outplays Fitzgerald in his house as the Aggies pick up a big win to keep their slim title hopes alive.
Texas A&M 27, Mississippi State 14 (Texas A&M, Under)
Andrew Loughmiller
I think after seven games its safe to say Texas A&M is a better football team than Mississippi State. I want to believe that the culture has truly shifted with Jimbo Fisher at the controls, but I can’t help but think that the Aggies are due for an embarrassing loss. Despite my suspicions, I am picking Texas A&M to win and cover.
Texas A&M 31, Mississippi State 24 (Texas A&M, Over)
Luke Leifker
I expect this matchup to be a low-scoring defensive slugfest. Both teams have fielded elite run defenses so far this season as well as good scoring defenses.
Texas A&M has put up 20 or more points on every one of their opponents this season, including against several elite defenses, and so I expect this trend to continue. This game will likely come down to the play of the quarterbacks. Mississippi State’s Nick Fitzgerald has struggled so far in SEC play, completing less than half of his passes and throwing six interceptions with no touchdowns. As Mississippi State’s offense is primarily run-based, the Aggie defense should match-up well.
On the other hand, Mond has played well this season. He’s completing most of his passes and not causing too many negative plays. I expect Mond to have a good day in Starkville, along with star tight end Jace Sternberger and wide receiver Kendrick Rogers (who is returning from injury). I think the Aggies will win this in a close one.
Texas A&M 20, Mississippi State 14 (Texas A&M, Under)