A prime-time matchup of ranked teams tops the college football betting card in Week 3 as the Miami Hurricanes travel to the Lone Star State to do battle with the Texas A&M Aggies.
Miami Hurricanes vs. Texas A&M Aggies
Saturday, September 17, 2022 – 09:00 PM EDT at Kyle Field
When the Week 3 free college football picks slate went out, the collision between the Miami Hurricanes of the ACC and Texas A&M Aggies of the SEC indeed looked like the marquee matchup on a busy card.
That was, however, before the Aggies were stunning upset victims against Appalachian State in Week 2, and they are going to have to regroup quickly and in a big way in order to not suffer a second non-conference loss against a Hurricane squad that has started the 2022 campaign with two one-sided wins.
Despite Upset Loss, Aggies Draw Favorite’s Tag
If the numbers we’re seeing at sportsbooks like BetMGM are any indication, Texas A&M will bounce back into the win column before heading into what is always a tough Southeastern Conference schedule. The Aggies are listed -5½ with 48½ for the total.
‘Canes Clicking Well Under Cristobal
Back at his alma mater and in his first season as head coach down in Coral Gables, Mario Cristobal has seen his team take care of business in each of the first two games against little Bethune Cookman and Southern Mississippi.
Favored by 27½ at the best online sportsbooks this past Saturday against the Golden Eagles, the Hurricanes didn’t have quite enough offense to cover in a 30-7 final that saw Miami trailing for much of the first half.
Tyler Van Dyke directed the Hurricanes on a couple of third-quarter scoring drives to provide the punch Cristobal’s club needed. Sophomore Henry Parrish Jr. enjoyed his second 100-yard effort of the young season on the ground, and the Miami defense forced three turnovers.
Offense MIA for Aggies
If it was just the performance this past Saturday in a 17-14 loss to Appalachian State, things wouldn’t be so bad for Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies, but the truth is that colossal defeat followed what was a pretty ugly win in the opener against Sam Houston State.
Texas A&M closed as 18-point chalk to the Mountaineers on NCAA football odds boards and never could get anything going offensively while accounting for less than 200 yards total offense, only nine first downs and fumbling the pigskin away a couple of times.
The Aggies have scored just six touchdowns in the first two games, with three of those on pass plays of 40+ yards in Week 1 against the Bearkats and another on a 95-yard kickoff return this past week against Appalachian State.
Miami Gets 2 Back From Suspension
Bettors definitely need to check for updated injury reports on both teams, especially on the Miami side with regards to offensive tackle Zion Nelson (knee) and defensive end Akheem Mesidor (foot) who missed the Southern Miss game.
Miami looks to get a couple of reserves back in action after early season suspensions, and the return of wide receiver Jacolby George plus safety Jalen Harrell beefing up the depth chart.
Texas A&M prized recruit from the Class of 2022, Walter Nolen, is dealing with a leg injury that has the mountain of a freshman defensive tackle officially listed as day-to-day.
Teams Meeting for the 4th Time
Saturday’s contest is the first installment in a home-&-home agreement between Miami and Texas A&M, with the Aggies making a follow-up visit to Coral Gables early on the 2023 college football fixture.
The schools had the same agreement in 2007-08, and the Hurricanes came out on the good side of the NCAAF scoreboard in both of those tilts. Miami was a small favorite in each game, and both contests went past the totals.
A Hot Saturday in Aggieland
In addition to getting updated injury reports for both schools, bettors would be wise to get updated information regarding the weather which currently promises a very warm afternoon with the thermometer climbing into the 90s and still in the 80s at kickoff.
The good news is the forecast has no mention of rain or thunderstorms, like the system that interrupted Texas A&M’s season opener leading to a long delay.
Points Could Be at a Premium
It’s not just that the Aggies need to find some rhythm on offense to generate their own points but to keep the defense off the field as well. The crystal ball says: expect a lot of punts and play the final to come up short of the total.
NCAAF Pick: Under 48½ (-110) at BetMGM
