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Texas A&M Football: Can Aggies hold off unpredictable South Carolina?

By Shelbie Warr

GAINESVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 14: Quartney Davis #1 of the Texas A&M Aggies warms up before the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 14: Quartney Davis #1 of the Texas A&M Aggies warms up before the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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Texas A&M football hits the road to South Carolina to take on the Gamecocks. Will the Aggies continue on their post-Alabama win streak?

Texas A&M is coming off a big time upset of Kentucky, a team that very recently beat down on their Week 7 opponent- South Carolina. The Gamecocks aren’t having the season that they were hoping for and gloating about before the first snap was taken. They have had a few shining spots, but overall this is the most unpredictable team in the SEC.

On the other side, you have a Texas A&M team that also has quite a few question marks. However, the team has grown up quickly under new head coach Jimbo Fisher and as a result have played at a much higher level than many expected. Especially on the defensive line, Texas A&M has been quite impressive and could easily make life real hard for Jake Bentley on Saturday afternoon.

Here is how you can watch this matchup.

Date: Saturday, Oct. 13
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Columbia, S.C.
Venue: Williams-Brice Stadium
TV: SEC Network
Live Stream: WatchESPN | FuboTV

Keys to Victory

For South Carolina, the key will be in the passing game. You can’t run the ball against Texas A&M — just ask Benny Snell. However, their secondary has been suspect at times and if the Gamecocks can get Deebo Samuel and company going in the passing game this one may be closer than anyone thinks it will be. The offensive line will also have to protect Jake Bentley against the likes of Kingsley Keke, Landis Durham and the rest of the Aggie defensive line.

For Texas A&M, it is about playing with confidence. Kellen Mond has looked super confident at times, but at other points he has looked confused and unsure of what is going on. The later can’t happen against South Carolina.

If his defense can play like they did against Kentucky though, that really won’t be as much of a problem. Simply put, the Aggies need to stay true to themselves and not let their heads get too big.

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of OddsShark

Line: Texas A&M -2.5
Over/Under: 52

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Prediction

This is Texas A&M’s game to lose. South Carolina was killed by Benny Snell and Kentucky — especially by the running attack. Look for Kellen Mond to make quite a few plays with his legs and get Trayveon Williams involved early and often. South Carolina just doesn’t have the defensive presence to shut down either of those guys and that will be to the Aggies benefit.

Final Score: Texas A&M 35, South Carolina 21