Texas A&M at Kansas State Odds
Written by Jack Jones - Google +
The No. 17 Kansas State Wildcats host the Texas A&M Aggies Saturday in Big 12 action. Both teams are looking to put an end to two-game losing streaks heading into this one. Kansas State has had the Aggies’ number in recent years, winning the last two meetings. They won at Texas A&M in 2008 by a final of 44-30, and they were victorious 62-14 at home as a 5-point underdog in their most recent meeting in ‘09.
Odds makers have set a similar spread for this contest with a line of Texas A&M -4.5 over Kansas State and a total of 64 points.
Texas A&M
There’s no question that the Aggies have underachieved this season thanks to several close losses. Texas A&M (5-4, 3-3 Big 12) has blown three leads of 14 points or more to lose, and they were dominated for the first three quarters in a 41-25 loss to then-No. 6 Oklahoma last week. The Sooners led 41-10 by the end of the third quarter in a game that should have been much closer than the final score would indicate.
Texas A&M actually outgained Oklahoma 527-404 for the game, but once again turnovers did them in. Ryan Tannehill threw for 379 yards and two touchdowns from the Aggies, but he also threw three interceptions, and they gave the ball away four times as a team. Ryan Broyles, the NCAA’s career leader in receptions, tore his ACL for the Sooners and he’s now out for the season.
The Aggies have had no problem moving the ball this season as they rank 6th in the country in total offense (520.6 yards/game). Their troubles have come on the other side of the ball as they rank 93rd in total defense (421.4 yards/game). Tannehill is completing 62.9 percent of his passes for 2,701 yards with 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray have combined to rush for 1,632 yards and 15 touchdowns, but Michael tore his ACL against Oklahoma and is now out for the year. Ryan Swope (60 receptions, 874 yards, eight TD) and Jeff Fuller (50, 522, three TD) are Tannehill’s go-to receivers.
Kansas State
The Wildcats were one of the biggest surprises in the country after their 7-0 start. But Kansas State (7-2, 4-2 Big 12) has lost back-to-back games to the top two teams in the conference. After falling at home to then-No. 9 Oklahoma 58-17 on October 29th, the Wildcats would put up a valiant effort at then-No. 3 Oklahoma State last week before losing 52-45. They actually held a 24-14 lead in the second quarter, a 38-37 lead in the fourth, and were tied 45-45 with just 3:18 remaining.
Oklahoma State would respond with a game-winning 23-yard touchdown run from Joseph Randle with 2:16 to play. The Wildcats would move all the way down the field and had three shots at the end zone from the OSU 5 in the final 12 seconds, but quarterback Collin Klein could not deliver. Klein finished with 231 passing yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 144 yards and three scores. Brandon Weeden threw for a school-record 502 yards and four touchdowns for the Cowboys.
Statistically speaking, this is one of the worst teams in the Big 12. Kansas State ranks just 84th in total offense (358.9 yards/game) and 78th in total defense (402.8 yards/game). They have been staying competitive this year thanks to turnovers, where they are +11 on the season. The Wildcats have only given the ball away five times in their last eight games. Klein is completing 58.3 percent of his passes for 1,223 yards with nine touchdowns and four interceptions. He has also rushed for a team-high 906 yards and an FBS-best 19 touchdowns.
Betting Trends
The Aggies are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games overall, and 20-42-1 ATS in their last 63 road games.
The Wildcats are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall, and 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as an underdog of 3.5-10.0.
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