ESPN Saturday College Football Picks – Texas A&M vs Arkansas Odds and Predictions – Week 5 NCAA Football Spreads and Odds

Week 5 Free College Football Picks and Spreads: Texas A&M Aggies vs Arkansas Razorbacks 2011 NCAA Football Vegas Odds, Free Picks, and Expert Predictions on ESPN Saturday 10/1/11: When the 18th-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks (3-1) travel to meet the 14th-ranked Texas A&M Aggies (2-1) Saturday, it should be called the bounce back bowl. Both teams are coming of tough losses to conference rivals last weekend with Arkansas getting trounced by Alabama and Texas A&M blowing a huge lead against Oklahoma State. Both teams still have an outside shot at claiming an at-large spot in a BCS game, but the loser of Saturday’s matchup will be all but eliminated from the BCS conversation. It is an important game between two quality teams, and the Aggies are 2 ½-point favorites in the contest.

When the two teams met last season, Arkansas came away victorious. However, it is important to note that Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill wasn’t in the lineup for the loss. Since taking over as starter last year, Tannehill has lost just two games. Offense numbers have been up across the board with Tannehill under center, and he has transformed receiver Jeff Fuller and running back Cyrus Gray into two of the best players at their positions in the Big 12.

With Tannehill in the mix, this year’s meeting is much more evenly matched. The concern for the Aggies will be remaining balanced throughout the game and eliminating turnovers. During last weekend’s loss to the Cowboys, Texas A&M turned the ball over repeatedly in the fourth quarter. If the Aggies get a lead Saturday, Gray and the A&M offensive line have to be able to take care of business.

If they don’t, the Razorbacks could mount a similar late charge. After all, Bobby Petrino’s offense is every bit the quick-strike attack that Oklahoma State employs. Granted, the Razorbacks don’t have Brandon Weeden under center or Justin Blackmon running routes, but Arkansas QB Tyler Wilson has proven himself more than capable against some tough opponents, and he has plenty of reliable targets to spread the ball to. If the Razorbacks do fall behind, look for Wilson to lead the same fast-paced offensive attack that the Cowboys used to shred the Aggies normally reliable defense.

The X-factor in the game could be the play of the Arkansas offensive line. The Crimson Tide defense was able to put plenty of pressure on Wilson last weekend, disrupting the Razorbacks’ offensive flow and taking away almost any type of big play. While nobody will argue that Texas A&M fields a defense on the same level as Alabama, the Aggies do get after opposing QBs to the tune of almost five sacks a game, which is good enough for the top spot in the country. Wilson may still hit a big play or two, but A&M should be able to provide the same pass rush that gave the Razorbacks problems last weekend.

As long as Tannehill doesn’t show a mental hangover from last weekend’s collapse, the Aggies should be able to take care of business Saturday. The Aggies’ defense has been pushing around opponents all year with the exception of one quarter last weekend, and Wilson could once again find himself scrambling for his life Saturday. Offensively, the balance of Tannehill and Gray should allow the Aggies to put enough points on the board. After getting run over by a one-dimensional Alabama offense, the well-rounded A&M attack should prove too much for the Razorbacks. It won’t be a blowout, but the Aggies should use their depth on both sides of the ball and blitzing attack to walk away with a season-saving victory.

Prediction: Texas A&M Aggies (-2 ½) Cover the Spread

Free College Football Picks and NCAAF Predictions: Texas A&M -2.5 to cover the spread

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