SEC Predictions: Picks against the spread for Week 7
Oct 10, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) catches a touchdown pass against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
- Date: Saturday October 17, 2015
- Time: 3:30PM Eastern
- Location: College Station, TX
- TV Channel: CBS
- Spread: Alabama -4.5
- Over/Under Total: 52.5
One of the most important games of the year to date in the SEC West pits Alabama and Texas A&M against one another at Kyle Field. The Crimson Tide are a slight road favorite over the undefeated Aggies, and that is to be expected because A&M has struggled to beat ranked opponents at home under head coach Kevin Sumlin. In fact, the 30-17 victory the Aggies scored over Mississippi State Oct. 3 was the first win Sumlin has had over a ranked opponent in College Station in six attempts.
While Texas A&M has improved defensively under new coordinator John Chavis (who has a track record of success against the Tide), and the Aggies have arguably the SEC’s best pass rush combo in Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall, Alabama boasts the SEC’s toughest defense, having allowed an average of 264.5 total yards per game (which ranks No. 6 in the nation), and just 77.3 yards on the ground so far this year.
Texas A&M will certainly test the Crimson Tide secondary with quarterback Kyle Allen, who has 1,274 passing yards and 13 touchdowns with only two interceptions, and talented wide receivers Christian Kirk (519 receiving yards, 4 TD) and Josh Reynolds (383 yards, 3 TD) among others. However, Alabama has nine interceptions already this season and nine separate defenders have recorded sacks, including linebacker Reggie Ragland, who is the reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Week following a standout performance in which he recorded seven tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble in a 27-14 victory over Arkansas.
Expect the Alabama defense to be the difference in the game, and for the Tide to pull out a win on the road to keep their hopes alive in the race to the SEC Championship Game.
Next: Vanderbilt at South Carolina