Texas A&M vs. Alabama Prediction: Week 8 Odds, Picks & Best Bet (Oct. 24)
No. 13 Alabama is coming off back-to-back regular-season losses for the first time since 2007 as it hosts Texas A&M this weekend, and my Texas A&M vs. Alabama prediction calls for a low-scoring affair, with the Aggies likely looking to their backup quarterback at some point.
Texas A&M is looking for its first win against the Crimson Tide since 2021 when it beat a then-No. 1-ranked Alabama squad.
Kickoff from Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, airing on ABC. Alabama is a 13.5-point betting favorite.
Texas A&M vs. Alabama picks & predictions
See all of our experts' college football picks for Week 8 based on the latest college football odds.
| Pick | Odds | Bet size |
|---|---|---|
| Texas A&M +13.5 | -105 via DraftKings | 1 unit to profit 0.95 units |
| Under 50.5 | -112 via DraftKings | 1 unit to profit 0.89 units |
Picks submitted: Oct. 22 at 8:45 p.m. ET. Odds subject to change.
Total wagered: 2 units | Max profit: +1.84 units
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Texas A&M vs. Alabama prediction & best bet
Check out all of our college football predictions for more analysis across this week's slate.
Under 50.5 (-112 via DraftKings)
Texas A&M has struggled against ranked teams this season. It is 0-3 against Missouri, Kentucky, and LSU, while totaling 33 points in those games and scoring exactly six points twice.
Both teams’ defenses prepare against their own mobile quarterbacks each week, so I don’t expect much production on the ground from Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed or Crimson Tide quarterback Keelon Russell. The latter has run for 231 yards and five touchdowns on 57 attempts, and his ceiling is low if he is made to be a one-dimensional quarterback after failing to eclipse 200 passing yards in back-to-back weeks.
Texas A&M’s only real path to an upset is to keep this game low-scoring, which it can do while entering this game with a defense that ranks 17th in adjusted EPA/Play.
We're getting a great number and price through DraftKings, as other top sports betting sites like FanDuel and BetMGM have an O/U a full point lower at 49.5.
📡 SBR Edge: Limiting first downs
Texas A&M ranks second in the SEC and seventh nationally in limiting first downs. It has allowed 104 first downs this season, much improved from last year's mark of 125 first downs allowed through seven games.
Texas A&M cannot pass its way to points
Alabama has a tremendous advantage in the trenches and should force Texas A&M to abandon its running game quicker than it wants to. The Crimson Tide defense not only ranks in the top-11 in overall success rate and adjusted EPA/Play, but they sit fourth in rush success rate as well.
That spells doom for an A&M offense that hasn’t shown an ability to move the football consistently through the air, as it ranks outside the top 125 in EPA/Pass. It’s entirely possible this is the week Aggies head coach Mike Elko starts working in some packages for backup quarterback Brady Hart, as Reed has struggled with a 7-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
On the other side, Texas A&M’s ability to limit first downs is a big reason it ranks in the top 12 in third and fourth down success rate.
The Under is 7-1 in Alabama’s last eight SEC home games, and it should be the right side of the total again.
Play to: 49.5 (-110), pass at 49 or lower
Score prediction: Alabama 28, Texas A&M 17
Live Texas A&M vs. Alabama odds
See the latest odds movement and more on our Texas A&M vs. Alabama matchup page.
Texas A&M vs. Alabama opening odds
- Moneyline: Texas A&M +525 | Alabama -699
- Spread: Texas A&M +15 (-108) | Alabama -15 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 51.5 (-108) | Under 51.5 (-110)
Texas A&M vs. Alabama weather
Weather will not be a factor for this game, as temperatures are forecasted in the mid-to-high 70s with 1% chance of precipitation and winds light at 8 mph ENE.
Latest Texas A&M vs. Alabama injuries
- Texas A&M: Terry Bussey (WR) — OUT
- Texas A&M: Mario Craver (WR) — Questionable
- Texas A&M: DJ Hicks (DT) — Questionable
- Alabama: Ryan Coleman-Williams (WR) — OUT (knee)
- Alabama: Terrance Green (DL) — OUT (ankle)
- Alabama: Zabien Brown (CB) — Questionable (lower leg)
How to watch Texas A&M vs. Alabama: Week 8
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 24
- Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
- TV/Streaming: ABC
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