2013 College Football Picks: Alabama @ Texas A&M Odds and Predictions – Free NCAAF Picks 9/16/2013

2013 College Football Picks: Alabama @ Texas A&M Odds and Predictions – Free NCAAF Picks 9/16/2013: It’s only Week 3 of the 2013 college football season, but one of the most anticipated games of the year is already set to take place Saturday afternoon when the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide (1-0) head to College Station to face the sixth-ranked Texas A&M Aggies (2-0). While the game has huge implications both in the SEC and the national title race, there are plenty of more storylines at play. After all, the Aggies handed the Crimson Tide their only loss last year, and while Alabama went on to win their second straight national title anyway, the game was largely responsible for Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel winning the Heisman Trophy. While Manziel and company won the battle, the Crimson Tide did end up winning the war, and they are eight-point favorites in the rematch.

Manziel is definitely the biggest star in this matchup and rightfully so. After all, he has followed up his record-setting year by accounting for seven total touchdowns in about five quarters of action this season, and the Aggies are currently fourth in the country in scoring. That being said, Alabama has plenty of playmakers back on both sides of the ball, including quarterback A.J. McCarron, running back T.J. Yeldon, receiving Amari Cooper and linebacker C.J. Mosley. The Crimson Tide looked very balanced en route to a 35-10 victory over Virginia Tech in the season opener. Both sides have lost some key components since last year’s meeting, as well. For Texas A&M, the losses have come mainly on the defensive side of the ball, mainly along the defensive front. Alabama on the other hand lost several members off one of the best offensive lines in college football history.

The Crimson Tide Win If:

While Alabama has the athletic linebackers needed to contain Manziel to a degree, containing the defending Heisman winner in the pocket alone won’t be enough. If the Crimson Tide defense is going to slow down the Aggies’ offense, Alabama has to attack and force Manziel to make quick decisions. The Crimson Tide have to be equally aggressive on offense and control the pace of the game. Getting into a shootout with the Aggies and playing from behind are both recipes for disaster, but if McCarron and company establish a good offensive rhythm early, they can dictate the tempo and keep the Texas A&M offense in check. By keeping the pressure on Manziel and the Aggies’ defense the entire game, Alabama can control the tempo and come out on top.

The Aggies Win If:

Manziel basically won himself the Heisman against the Crimson Tide last year, and if he carves up Alabama’s defense with his arm and his legs once again, the Aggies should have no trouble generating points. The bigger question for Texas A&M is whether or not its defense can contain the Crimson Tide offense. The Aggies lost a lot of pass-rushers from last year’s unit, and Alabama has plenty of weapons in its receiving corps. As great as Manziel and the Aggies’ offense can be, putting up 50-plus points on Alabama is unlikely. If Texas A&M can hold the Crimson Tide around the 30-point mark, Manziel should be able to make enough big plays in key moments to deliver the Aggies another win.

Bottom Line:

While Texas A&M has struggled a bit with its revamped defense in the first two games, Alabama’s rebuilt offensive line looked equally shaky in its opener. At the end of the day, the Aggies’ defense is a lot less crucial to the team’s overall success than Alabama’s ability to dominate in the trenches on the offensive end. Sure, McCarron has plenty of weapons to throw to, but a high-scoring shootout between Manziel and McCarron definitely favors the Aggies. Yes, the two-time defending champs will be motivated by last year’s loss, but Manziel is sure to be motivated to silence his critics and Texas A&M will have the home crowd on its sides. Not to mention the fact that Alabama is just 4-3 following bye weeks since Nick Saban became the head coach. In the end, this game will once again be a battle between the balance of Alabama and the offensive punch of Texas A&M, and it will be decided by which unit can make the big plays. With Manziel in their corner, the Aggies have a great chance to make the game-changing plays to pull off another upset. At the very least, they can play the Crimson Tide close.

Prediction: Texas A&M Aggies (+8) Cover the Spread 

Alabama @ Texas A&M
Time: 3:30 PM EST on CBS
Line: Alabama -7.5
Total: Over/Under 60.5

NSAwins.com is America’s premier sports betting website for 2013 College Football Expert Picks and College Football Betting Odds and Lines.