‘Any Given Saturday’ should be the motto this season in the SEC. Even teams at the bottom of the standings are capable of taking down the conference’s best.
That’s a scenario #4 Texas A&M will be hoping to avoid this weekend. The Aggies are undefeated, having won six straight games. As of right now, they have a clear path to the College Football Playoffs. Still, a lot can go wrong between now and December. A slip-up against a resurgent Arkansas squad could derail an otherwise perfect season.
Can the Razorbacks flirt with an upset in Fayetteville? Below is my prediction and pick for College Football Week 8’s game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Texas A&M enters this contest as 7.5-point favorites (-112) over Arkansas, with the over/under set at 58.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Aggies are favored at -305 on the moneyline.
Texas A&M vs. Arkansas prediction, preview
In a conference loaded with budding superstars, Marcel Reed is making a name for himself. The sophomore quarterback has thrown for 1,490 yards, rushed for 186 more, and accumulated 15 total touchdowns. He’s not the only difference-maker in this loaded A&M offense. Wide receiver Mario Craver has been unreal, hauling in 32 catches for an SEC-leading 634 yards. On the ground, Le’Veon Moss has gained 389 yards and six touchdowns.
Unsurprisingly, the Aggies are averaging a whopping 34.7 points per game. Their defense, while not as dominant, has only surrendered 296.3 yards per game to their opponents. That’s the 17th-best mark in all of college football. Still, that’s not a bad mark by any means. This unit has also been at its best recently, allowing a combined 36 points over their last three matchups. Leading the charge on that side of the ball is edge Cashius Howell. Through six games, he has an SEC-best 7.5 sacks.
If Arkansas has any shot at a win this weekend, it’ll need to put up points. After firing head coach Sam Pittman, the program fell within three points of upsetting #11 Tennessee on the road. A similar effort this week, at home, could pay major dividends. Quarterback Taylen Green has been impressive, throwing for 1,654 yards and 14 touchdowns to five interceptions. In addition, he’s picked up 504 yards on the ground. Green is joined by running back Mike Washington, one of the conference’s most underrated rushers.
The issue for the Razorbacks has been their defense, which has vacillated between mediocre and putrid all season. Arkansas, 2-4, has allowed at least 32 points to each of its previous four opponents. A major area of concern is in the secondary. Teams are averaging 8.2 yards per pass attempt against the Hogs, the second-highest mark in the SEC. In addition, they’ve allowed a conference-worst 184.0 rushing yards per game. Simply put, the options are endless for opposing offenses.
Texas A&M vs. Arkansas pick, best bet
In this gauntlet of a conference, it’s difficult to envision A&M finishing the season undefeated. Regardless, this team has earned its reputation as a bonafide national title contender. Although a midseason slip-up is possible, Arkansas’s defense is an absolute embarrassment right now. In comparison, the Aggies are underrated on that end of the field. Expect a multi-score victory for the visitors on Saturday.
