Mad Bets: Will Alabama cover -17.5 vs. Texas A&M?
Minty Bets is joined by Amal Shah of VSiN to preview the 2 Top-15 SEC Matchups in Week 5 of college football between Texas A&M-Alabama and Auburn-Georgia.
Video Transcript
MINTY BETS: Welcome to "Mad Bets," everyone. Minty Bets here with special guest from VSiN, Amal Shah. He's here to give us his favorite bets for some SEC match-ups. Amal, let's begin with Alabama hosting Texas A&M. 'Bama is favored by 17.5 points, and the total set at 52. What do you think about this game?
AMAL SHAH: Here's an interesting match-up. It's a big early season match-up. When you look at these two teams, they're going to need to win this game if they want to have a shot at the College Football Playoff. I know everybody has Alabama penciled in for the SEC. But, to me, I think Texas A&M is a dark horse in the West. Remember, these two teams met last year in Kyle Field. Alabama won that game by 19 points. With this line sitting at 17.5, I think it looks like it's a few too many points from my perspective. I know A7M did not play particularly well against Vanderbilt. And it was the first game of the year. I'm going to kind of chalk that up to a look-ahead spot to Alabama. Look, let's be real here. I look at it from a fan's perspective. Would you really be excited, if you're a fan of Texas A&M, knowing you're going to play Vanderbilt, and you've got mighty Alabama on deck? So it's kind of the same thing for the players. And so, for me, I look at this as being too many points. I think Alabama's got a great team. You look at the skill positions. Najee Harris, I've been a fan of this kid since he came here from Antioch, California to Tuscaloosa. And then the receivers are going to be studs. DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle are going to be first-round picks. But I think, overall, Mac Jones, as good as he is, he is not Tua Tagovailoa. I think A&M is going to be able to keep this game closer than the 17.5 points. I think this number is too high. Minty, I think this line should have been probably about 13.5 or 14.
MINTY BETS: Ooh. All righty. And next game we've got Georgia hosting Auburn. Georgia is favored by 7 points, and the total sitting at 44.5 right now. What do you think? You got Georgia on your mind?
AMAL SHAH: I do have Georgia on my mind. But that 7 is a little bit tricky. JT Daniels, a transfer from USC, takes over. Remember, D'Wan Mathis started last week. Didn't play particularly well against Arkansas. Stetson Bennett came in, relieved Mathis in the second half. Was much more effective. But still, Daniels is going to be the man there. But remember, this is his first game. New offense. New team. So I think it's going to present some challenges for the Georgia offense. I don't like either side. But if you said I had to bet this game, I'm with you, I would have the Bulldogs here. But 7 seems a little high. On the flip side, I think this is going to be more of an under game. Remember, Georgia has the most returning experience of any defense in the country. One of the elite defenses last year. Eight starters back. Outside of Bo Nix, I have a ton of question marks about the Auburn running game. 20 carries last week for 65 yards outside of Bo Nix. Really not getting it done with Shivers on the ground. They're going to really have to run the ball effectively. I don't think they can win this game throwing the ball. Look for Anthony Schwartz on some reverses. If you're not familiar with him, get to know his name. He might be on the 2021 track team for the United States Olympics. That's a guy they want to get involved in terms of his speed. Probably the fastest guy in college football. But I think it's going to be tough. Remember, last year, Georgia led 21-0 in this game. Auburn then came back with 14 points. But couldn't get over the hump, as Georgia won by 7. I think the number is right where it should be. Minty, if you're going to play this game, I would say look towards the under. But in college football, it is so hard to play such low totals. You get one bad play, a slip, bad coverage, next thing you know, you wind up with 14 points very quickly, and you're behind the eight ball. So, for me, I'm leaning towards the Dogs if it comes below 7. And then, of course, taking the under here in this one at 44. But not really strong.
MINTY BETS: All righty. Well thank you so much, Amal. Guys, be sure to check out Amal on VSiN every weekend. Thank you, Amal.
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