Texas A&M Aggies-Alabama Crimson Tide Betting Angles and Pick

TEXAS A&M AGGIES AT ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (-18, O/U 59), Sat., 3:30 p.m. ET

No. 1 Alabama (7-0, 4-0 SEC) goes for its fourth straight win, and third straight cover, over No. 6 Texas A&M (6-0, 4-0) when the SEC West powers clash in Tuscaloosa.

The Crimson Tide are on course to repeat as national champs. They rushed for 438 yards in their blowout of Tennessee last week and are lethally balanced offensively behind dual threat Jalen Hurts (17 total TDs).

Defensively, Alabama allows fewer than 30 percent conversions on third down.

That success will be critical to thwarting A&M's fast-paced attack. In Knoxville, Alabama held Tennessee to 3 of 16 on third down and registered sacks on the Vols' first three third-downs.

While Alabama ranks sixth nationally with 45.4 points per game, the Aggies aren't far behind at 40.2. Senior quarterback Trevor Knight has thrown nine TD passes and rushed for nine scores. His three elite wideouts will pose a big challenge to Alabama's secondary.

Freshman Trayveon Williams, who averages 8.6 yards per carry and shredded Tennessee for 217 yards, will test the nation's No. 1 rush defense.

Perhaps A&M's biggest edge is rest. The Aggies had two weeks to prepare while the Crimson Tide comes off consecutive road games at Arkansas and Tennessee.

The top betting angle might be on the total. The Under has cashed in seven straight Texas A&M road games and is 4-1 in Alabama's last five home games.

SPORTS CHEETAH'S TAKE

This Alabama team could be the best we have seen in a long time. Their defense is as dominant as ever, but to put into perspective just how prolific their offense has been, the national championship squad from last season ranked 46th in offensive efficiency. So far in Lane Kiffin’s third season calling plays, they are the 8th-best offense in the country.

I made a bet this week here in Las Vegas on Alabama to win the national title at +250. Once they get into the College Football Playoff, they will be about PK -110 to win the championship. Unless they lose two regular season games -- it would likely need to be their next two -- they’ll be in the playoff. There was too much value at +250 to pass up.

Saturday's game probably is a decent spot for the Aggies. Not only are they coming off a bye week, but Alabama just played road games at Arkansas and Tennessee and has another road game at LSU on deck. Surprisingly, the early money has been on the Tide after opening as 16.5-point favorites.

Despite both teams beating Tennessee, the Aggies gave up 684 yards and needed to force seven turnovers to win in overtime at home. That same Vols offense managed 163 total yards at home vs. Alabama (and they only turned it over once). The Tide could be all-time good this season, and two more statement wins over the Aggies and LSU could solidify it. I don’t see myself getting in front of Nick Saban on a mission unless this number ballooned to the point where I was getting three touchdowns.

LINE MOVEMENT

Alabama opened as a 16.5-point favorite and has been bet up to -18, with a few books dealing -18.5.

"Another week, another unsurprising story regarding Alabama action," said Scott Cooley, odds consultant for BookMaker.eu. "The sharps waited a couple of days before getting involved, likely hoping the line would fall, but then they got back on the Tide train.

"We actually have received some square support on the underdog, and a tiny bit of smart money too, but we've moved as high as -18.5 so that tells you where our liability is. I don't think this number reaches the 20s, but with the way things have gone with these Bama games, anything could happen."

Shocking to think a team as good as Texas A&M might be getting nearly three touchdowns by kickoff.

LAST WEEK

The Aggies were off after their thrilling 45-38 OT win over Tennessee. Texas A&M closed as a 7.5-point favorite and fell to 4-2 ATS. The Under is 3-2-1 in Aggies' games.

Alabama ripped Tennessee 49-10, easily covering the two-touchdown spread. The Tide moved to 5-2 ATS and the Over improved to 4-3 in Alabama games.

SELECTION

Get all SportsLine expert picks on Aggies-Crimson Tide here.