Texas vs Texas A&M 2011 College Football Picks: Down in Texas, Thanksgiving Day is more than just turkey and dressing. The University of Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies have scheduled their annual gridiron meeting that day too; a game that might be the last for awhile with the Aggies heading for the Southeast Conference. This years game will be played in front of the Aggies 90-thousand fans at Kyle Field, a venue not kind to the Longhorns. Online sportsbook TopBet.com lists the Aggies 8-chalk favorites ATS while College Football Odds for a SU Aggies win is priced at -305. The Longhorns are getting +255 as moneyline underdogs.
The Aggies will have a problem on offense if tailback Cyrus Gray can't play due to a shoulder injury he sustained against Kansas. A&M went into the 2011 season with an outstanding 1-and-2 punch out of the backfield with Gray and Christine Michael. Gray's been No. 1 since Michael was lost for the season from knee injury against Oklahoma on Nov. 5. The Aggies didn't miss a beat giving Gray 30 carries for 218 yards and two touchdowns against Kansas State and followed that with 94 yards on nine carries with three touchdowns in the first half of Kansas game before getting injured late in the half. If Gray can't go, Aggies coach Mike Sherman will look to sophomore Ben Malena and true freshman Will randolph. The pair have a combined 29 career carries for 136 yards and two scores. Gray's status is currently questionable.
The Longhorns are looking for any offense, something that's been missing most of the season, as coach Mac Brown's been looking for a quarterback that can deliver consistently. The Horns started the season with last year's starter Garrett Gilbert, benched after two games for Colt McCoy's little brother Case McCoy. Brown started McCoy for three games before giving the ball to freshman David Ash, who turned the ball over twice in a 17-13 loss to Kansas State. About the only hope the Longhorns have in this game is if the defense can create turnovers that lead to points.
College Football Odds (TopBet.com)
Longhorns +8 (-110) ATS; +255 ML Total Over 54 (-110)
Aggies -8 (-110) ATS; -310 ML Total Under 54 (-110)
Game Prediction: Huge rivalry game that is always unpredictable. I expect the Longhorns, because of a solid defense, will keep it close. There is the possibility A&M's running game will be suspect with Gray injured and Michael out for the season. – My Pick – total UNDER 54 ; Longhorns +8 (side)
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