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SEC Predictions: Picking every game against the spread for Week 4

By Nicholas Ian Allen

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Sep 19, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) sacks Nevada Wolf Pack quarterback Tyler Stewart (15) during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

  • Date: Saturday September 27, 2015
  • Time: 7PM Eastern
  • Location: Arlington, TX
  • TV Channel: ESPN
  • Spread: Texas A&M -8
  • Over/Under Total: 58.5

A few weeks ago – after Texas A&M destroyed Arizona State 38-14 and Arkansas was still ranked in the nation’s Top 20 – the Southwest Classic between the Aggies and Razorbacks looked like it would be an epic clash of two SEC West title contenders.

The game is the conference opener for both squads, so a division title is still well within reach for both teams, but thanks to consecutive losses to Toledo and Texas Tech, Arkansas now appears to have been an absolute fraud – or at least a victim of an over-hyped off-season.

It’s still a little early to tell whether Texas A&M is for real. After all, the Aggies started last season 5-0 and rose to No. 6 in the AP Poll before they crashed to Earth. But thanks in large part to a big-play defense that features the nation’s leader in sacks (Myles Garrett with 5.5 through three games) under the direction of new defensive coordinator John Chavis, A&M’s defense has shown a great deal of improvement in a short period of time.

It also may be a little early to give up on Arkansas. Known for their powerful running game last season, the Hogs are suffering through an identity crisis on offense and currently rank No. 79 nationally with 171 rushing yards per game through the first three weeks of the season, and have thrown for 305 yards on average, which ranks a shocking third in the SEC and No. 28 in the country. And, despite being gutted by injury, the Hogs still have running back Alex Collins and one of the SEC’s best offensive lines. If Arkansas returns to its roots, they can still be a factor in the SEC West.

This game can go either way, and though the Aggies look like the better team now, it should be very close.

Next: Vanderbilt at Ole Miss

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