Texas State at Texas A&M Betting Odds
- Spread: Texas A&M -33.5
- Over/Under: 56
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
- TV: SEC Network
It was around February when I started contemplating this spot for Texas State.
The returning production would be one of the best in the FBS for new coach Jake Spavital and offensive coordinator Bob Stitt, who will both bring unique offensive philosophies to the program — Spavital the air raid concepts from West Virginia and Stitt the motion and jet sweeps from his days at Montana and prior.
Transfers made their way to the Bobcats in hopes to turn around a team that is 2-22 in conference play over the past three years, and it starts Thursday night as a huge underdog against Texas A&M.
Hopefully 2019 signifies the season we can stop necktie abuse in San Marcos.
The Bobcats return an entire roster, but the biggest decision was quarterback. Montana transfer Gresch Jensen battled explosive true sophomore Tyler Vitt, who won the job at the end of camp.
The word around Texas State was a neck-and-neck battle between Vitt and Jensen, as both earned positive marks through camp. But Vitt's ability to create explosive plays was the final decision leading to his ascension as the starting quarterback against Texas A&M.
For those of us that are in to betting point spreads, Vitt is a gambler's best shot at covering the Aggies.
As talented as Texas A&M can be, their achilles heel was explosive plays last season. A defensive IsoPPP rank of 119th came as a result of allowing big plays weekly.
Specifically, the Aggies were 124th against pass explosiveness, something Vitt will try to exploit with more than 150 targets returning from last years roster.
Texas A&M is 108th in returning production on defense, and coordinator Mike Elko must find a way to fix those issues from last season.
On the flip side, Texas State returns plenty against a high-powered Aggies offense. Quarterback Kellen Mond should continue as an excellent dual threat option, but the loss of three offensive lineman may keep the majority of the game on the ground.
Jimbo Fisher may have a vanilla offensive attack in mind with Clemson on deck.
The Action Network power ratings have this game at 28.5, but there should be sharp Texas A&M buy back at 31.
The Pick: Texas State +33.5
