Texas A&M Aggies at Southern Methodist Mustangs
Saturday, September 15, 2012, 3:30 pm Eastern, TV: FSN
Gerald Ford Stadium – Dallas, Texas
Opening Line: Texas A&M -10 1/2
Current Line: Texas A&M -12 1/2
Opening Total: 53
Current Total: 60 1/2
Opening Money Line: TAMU -450 / SMU +370
Current Money Line: TAMU -450 / SMU +370
Former Southwest Conference rivals the SMU Mustangs and Texas A&M Aggies meet for the 79th time Saturday in Dallas. The two have only played twice since the Southwest Conference was dissolved in 1995. The Aggies lead the series 42-29-7. SMU hasn’t beaten Texas A&M since 1984. Texas A&M is 10-0-1 in the series since then. The Aggies won last year in College Station 46-14. The two schools haven’t played in Dallas since 1990. This is the third of five straight games for SMU against teams from Texas to open the season.
Texas A&M is coached by Kevin Sumlin, who was previously the head coach at Houston. He coached against SMU several times as the Cougars and Mustangs are both in Conference USA. Sumlin has a 4-0 record against SMU in his career After their season opener against Louisiana Tech was postponed by Hurricane Isaac, Texas A&M hosted Florida last week. The Aggies were playing their first game in SEC after moving from the Big 12 this season. The Gators were 1 point road favorites and the total was 49.5.
After Florida took a 7-3 lead at the end of the first quarter, Texas A&M scored two touchdowns to take a 17-7 lead. However, the Aggies would not score for the rest of the game. Florida kicked a 51 yard field goal before halftime to make the score 17-10. The Gators would score 10 points in the second half including the go ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter. The Aggies had 3 more possessions after that but had 2 three and outs and didn’t get past their own 39 on the third. Florida ended up winning 20-17.
The Aggies had 334 total yards including 200 passing yards. A&M held Florida to 307 total yards including 165 passing yards. Neither team had a turnover or missed a field goal. The Aggies had 9 penalties for 78 yards.
Texas A&M true freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel showed some potential in his first game taking over from Ryan Tannehill, now the starting quarterback for the Miami Dolphins. Manziel completed 23 of 30 passes for 173 yards, along with 17 carries for 60 yards and an 11 yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter. Running back Christine Michael had 13 carries for 33 yards and a touchdown run, along with 3 catches for 15 yards. Receiver Mike Evans had 7 catches for 60 yards. Ryan Swope had 5 catches for just 16 yards, but no other Aggie had more than 3 receptions.
SMU is coached by June Jones. The Mustangs are 1-1 this season with a loss at Baylor 59-24 and a 52-0 win over Stephen F. Austin at home. The Mustangs are averaging 417.5 yards per game including 309 passing yards and 108.5 rushing yards a game. The Mustangs are giving up 532.5 yards per game including 385 passing yards and 147.5 rushing yards. SMU is outscoring opponents 38-29.5 this season. The Mustangs are 1-1 ATS and the total is 1-0 this season.
SMU was a 17 point favorite against Stephen F. Austin last week at home, and there was no total. SMU took a 21-0 lead at the end of the first quarter and romped to a 52-0 shutout. The Mustangs scored 3 defensive touchdowns and also returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown. The Mustangs forced an amazing 10 turnovers including 4 fumbles and 6 interceptions. SMU did have 3 turnovers of their own. The Lumberjacks had 7 penalties for 56 yards, and the Mustangs had 10 penalties for 86 yards. SFA had 461 total yards including 391 passing yards, while SMU was held to 328 total yards, including 256 passing yards.
Former Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert has completed 53 of 95 passes for 491 yards with 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions in two games for the Mustangs. Running back Zach Line has 44 carries for 195 yards and 2 touchdowns, along with 9 catches for 60 yards. Jeremy Johnson has 13 catches, 122 yards, and a touchdown. Gehrig Dieter, Keenan Holman and Der’rick Thompson each have over a hundred receiving yards and a touchdown.
Texas A&M is 7-0 ATS against Conference USA teams, 6-1-1 after scoring 20 points or less, 21-43-1 in road games, 3-7 after a straight up loss, 4-10 after failing to cover, 3-8 in non-conference games, 3-10 overall, 2-7 on fieldturf, and 1-5 in September.
SMU is 15-5 straight up at home in the last 20 games. The Mustangs are 7-2 ATS after allowing 100 rushing yards or less, 5-2 after a straight up win, 6-13-2 against teams with losing records, 12-26 after allowing 280 passing yards, 2-5 on fieldturf, 2-7-1 after scoring more than 40 points, 2-7 overall, 1-4 against SEC teams, and 0-6 after rushing for less than 100 yards.
SMU forced a ton of turnovers last week, and had 4 defensive scores. However, the Mustangs also gave up almost 500 yards to Stephen F. Austin. Texas A&M struggled on offense against a very good Florida defense. However, they should find it much easier to move the ball against an SMU defense that has been shredded two weeks in a row. I like Texas A&M to win and cover on the road.
Get this week’s college football picks. Our handicappers are the best in the business.
