NCAAF Week 4 Texas A&M vs Arkansas Betting Preview
#7 Aggies and #16 Razorbacks Meet Up at AT&T Stadium
A couple of ranked teams meet up in Dallas in the Week 4 Texas A&M at Arkansas matchup. The Southwest Classic features the #7 Aggies bringing their top 10 defense to AT&T Stadium that is compiling yards in bunches on the ground. Both squads are 3-0 heading into Saturday’s matchup.
Texas A&M is a -4.5 favorite, mostly because they’ve won all nine meetings since both teams have become members of the SEC. That includes 42-31 in College Station last season as -14.5 favorites. Kellen Mond, who was 21/26 for 260 yards and 3 TD, isn’t walking through that door for the Aggies though as he’s off to the NFL.
A&M Looks Back on Track
The Aggies almost weren’t undefeated coming into the Week 4 Texas A&M at Arkansas matchup, surviving a 10-7 win over Colorado in Denver in week 2. The Aggies were -17 point point favorites in that game, but lost starting QB Haynes King in the 1st quarter. Backup Zach Calzeda was just 18/38 after being pressed into action, but did throw the game winning TD pass to Isaiah Spiller with just under 3 minutes left in the 4th quarter.
Calzeda did look more comfortable in the offense last week with 275 yards and 3 TD passes. Spiller also had his second 15+ carry rushing game of the season in the 34-0 win over New Mexico. The Aggies defense was great again in holding the Lobos to just 33 pass yards and 89 on the ground, but TAM was also supposed to win that game big as -30.5 home favorites.
The Aggies’ defense also looked solid against Colorado, holding the Buffs’ to 89 yards passing but they did allow 171 on the ground mostly due to the mobility of CU QB Brendon Lewis who had 76 yards on 9 carries. Texas A&M is facing a very similar QB on Saturday afternoon though.
Can Hogs’ Offense Keep Rolling?
Through three games Texas A&M has posted the #1 scoring defense in the country while also ranking tops in the country in pass yards allowed. Arkansas would like to think that their offense is on a whole different level from the likes of Kent State, New Mexico, and even Colorado for that matter.
The Razorbacks do have a very versatile offensive attack which has allowed them to average 41.0 ppg. That includes a 40-21 win over Texas in week 2 as +5.5 home underdogs, so the quality of competition has been there at times this year. Arkansas ran for 333 yards against the Longhorns, so their #8 running game in the country isn’t just padded on big wins over Rice (38-17) and Georgia Southern (45-10).
K.J. Jefferson has shown a solid command of the Razorbacks offense and the 6’3, 245-pounder has been getting better each week. Jefferson completed 14 of 19 passes vs. Texas in week 2 and threw for 366 yards last week on just 13 completions. Trelon Smith has a TD run in each game so far this season helping Arkansas run for 245+ yards in each of those. Treylon Burks has 13 catches so far and is a big target for A&M to defense at 6’3, 225 pounds.
Week 4 Texas A&M at Arkansas Pick
Arkansas has looked good through three games but has played each of them at home. The Razorbacks are going on the road (technically) for the first time this season but it is also a neutral site game. The A&M defense has looked solid, but they haven’t faced an offense like Arkansas’ yet this season. Jefferson has a big stat game for the ‘Hogs.
Texas A&M 13 – Arkansas 24
Free Pick: Arkansas +4.5
