As we work our way through some of the top College Football betting matchups in the 2022 college football season, today we find ourselves almost halfway through the regular season – with three epic matchups to consider. The Texas A&M Aggies head east to face the Alabama Crimson Tide in a rematch of the game that, at least briefly, threatened the Tide’s chances of making the College Football Playoff. The Aggies just went 8-4 last year, but their recruiting success made Tide coach Nick Saban claim that the Aggies had “bought” their new class of athletes, leading to a firestorm of publicity in college football. The Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners will meet roughly halfway between their campuses, at the original Cotton Bowl, in the midst of the State Fair of Texas, to renew their rivalry. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish continue their Shamrock Series, an annual neutral-site game designed to draw in Irish fans from all over the country. Check out our thoughts about each matchup.
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Texas A&M Aggies at Alabama Crimson Tide
If we look at this matchup on paper, the Aggies should be the top challenger for Alabama in the SEC West, a gauntlet that has already seen LSU fall from national championship to last place in just two years. This is a division that is so difficult that the other bottom-feeder (Auburn) pushed Alabama to overtime. It’s also difficult that the Aggies only went 4-4 in conference play. However, the Aggies are much better at quarterback, with LSU transfer Max Johnson relapsing Zach Calzada. The problem is that they really don’t have a dangerous wide receiver. Ainias Smith, the elite kick and punt returner, can run routes or carry the ball, but he is still not an elite wideout. Freshman Evan Stewart might move up and start, and Moose Muhammad and Chase Lane might work in, but despite the high ranking of the recruiting class, the wide receivers aren’t really the strength.
The offensive line of the Aggies had two sophomores and two freshmen starting against Alabama but did not permit a single sack. Three starters return, which should mean some open holes for tailback Devon Achane. The hopes of the offense will depend on redshirt freshman Trey Zuhn, slated to start at left tackle. The defense lost coordinator Mike Elko, who took the head job at Duke. The unit lost six starters, but the upside is that the Aggies have several top-rated D-linemen in their recruiting class. Senior Andrew White is the only returning starter at linebacker, but the best part of the defense is the secondary, with three starters returning. Even so, I’m not sure that the Aggies can pull off the upset against a Tide team that will be motivated.
Final Prediction: Alabama 27, Texas A&M 16
Texas Longhorns vs Oklahoma Sooners (at The Cotton Bowl, Dallas)
I’ve read in multiple places that the Texas Longhorns, who finished 5-7 last year and missed a bowl game, will be the most improved team in the Big 12 as they play out the string in the last seasons before they head to the SEC. Oklahoma went 11-2 (7-2 Big 12) last year, missing out on the Big 12 Championship for the first time since the return of the title game. Now the Sooners have a new head coach, in Brent Venables, while the Longhorns still have Steve Sarkisian.
Texas will have either Hudson Card and Quinn Ewers (who transferred from Ohio State) at quarterback, and Heisman contender Bijan Robinson will be carrying the ball. Oklahoma’s most impressive returning starter is Marvin Mims, who caught 32 passes for 705 yards and five scores. The Sooners lost four of their five top receivers from a year ago, as well as their top two quarterbacks and their top two running backs. Caleb Williams followed Lincoln Riley to USC, and Spencer Rattler headed to South Carolina. Former UCF standout Dillon Gabriel has transferred to Norman to play quarterback, so we’ll see how he fares under Power 5 expectations.
Final Prediction: Texas 30, Oklahoma 24
BYU Cougars vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish (at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas)
Obviously, this game is much closer to BYU’s campus than it is to Touchdown Jesus, but expect all of those Notre Dame fans on the west coast to stream to Vegas for a chance to see those shiny gold helmets in person. Notre Dame will come in with one of the best O-lines in the nation, which means lots of work for the front seven for the Cougars. BYU has a plucky team and will look to build enthusiasm as they approach Big 12 membership, but they won’t have what it takes to stay with the Irish.
Final Prediction: Notre Dame 24, BYU 17
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