Texas A&M Football vs. South Carolina Prediction, Odds, Spread and Over/Under for College Football Week 9

This has been a rough couple of weeks for Texas A&M football fans. We knew coming into the season that this two game stretch would be a challenge, but to lose both headed into the bye really stung, especially considering the fact that the Aggies showed so much potential early on and were so close in both games. Now, after a couple of weeks to recover, Texas A&M football faces a chance to get right at home this Saturday.

Texas A&M Football vs. South Carolina Odds, Spread and Total

The Aggies were underdogs for the past two games, but it looks like Vegas has a decent amount of confidence in them this week. Texas A&M football has lost only once as a double-digit favorite under Jimbo, so this hopefully bodes well for the result.

Texas A&M Football vs. South Carolina How to Watch

Date: October 28, 2023
Game Time: 12:00 PM ET/11:00 AM CT
Venue: Kyle Field in College Station, Texas
How to Watch: ESPN or streaming
Texas A&M Record: 4-3
South Carolina Record: 2-5

Texas A&M Football vs. South Carolina Key Players to Watch

Here’s who to keep your eye on for each team:

South Carolina

Spencer Rattler: Rattler has had an up and down career. His arm talent flashed at Oklahoma while a backup for Jalen Hurts, but he was eventually replaced by Caleb Williams during a rough stretch in the Red River Rivalry. Both quarterbacks transferred to a school called USC—though on opposite coasts—and have enjoyed success. Rattler’s ability is obvious, but he has struggled on the road this year.

Xavier Legette: Big #17 for the Gamecocks is one of the premier receivers in the country—and he bided his time to get to the place he’s at. One of the holdovers from the Muschamp tenure, Legette was primarily a special teams guy and third option as a receiver until this year, where he has really broken out. Legette is questionable for this game following an injury in the other Columbia last week, but if he plays, the Aggies will have to make sure he’s never singled up in coverage.

Stone Blanton: The young linebacker has been pressed into duty this year for the Gamecocks and has stepped up to the challenge. He’s already one of the better defenders for the South Carolina defense, though the unit as a whole has disappointed this year. I think the Aggies will be leaning on the run in this game, so Blanton’s defense will be key for the Gamecocks.

Texas A&M

Max Johnson: Max is going to be a pivotal player in every single game from here until the end of 2023, so get used to seeing his name on this list. This is an opportunity for him to build some more confidence after a really tough last couple of games. Staring down the barrel of a trip to Oxford next week, the Aggie QB will hopefully get some things figured out against the worst Power 5 defense Texas A&M football has yet seen this year.

Edgerrin Cooper: The Aggies’ midseason all-American linebacker will have plenty of opportunity against a leaky front for South Carolina. After sustaining what looked like a shot to the head in the Tennessee game, all indications are that #45 will be available for this game.

McKinnley Jackson: Though Jackson has been an absolutely dominating force on the interior for the Aggie defensive line, he hasn’t piled up the stats to match that impact. I have a feeling that he might break out in this one.

Texas A&M Football vs. South Carolina: Prediction and Pick

The Gamecocks have had an issue with injuries that is scarily similar to how things shaped up last year for the Aggies—of course, the Gamecocks still have their starting quarterback, though. The offensive line has been one of the hardest-hit areas, which does not bode well for SC. Add onto that fact that the top two receivers for Carolina in Juice Wells and Xavier Legette might be out, and things really start to look like they’re shaping up in the Aggies’ favor. For A&M, this is a chance to build some momentum and work out some of the kinks on the offensive side ahead of a pivotal road trip down to Oxford next week. I think they do just that, though I’m not exactly bullish on the ability to execute in the red zone. Give me 33-10 Aggies.