Texas A&M gets its shot at a signature win today, and the setup has tilted a little more in the Aggies’ favor as kickoff approaches.
The Volunteers are scheduled to face Texas A&M at 2 PM CT in College Station after an FAA grounding order yesterday evening pushed Tennessee’s arrival back by about six hours. That wrinkle has already moved the betting line again. Tennessee opened as a 2.5-point favorite, but by this morning the number had shrunk to 1.5 points in FanDuel’s market.
There are also personnel hits hanging over Tennessee. Star pass rusher Tyree Weathersby is expected to miss the game, a notable blow since he leads the Vols in sacks.
Tennessee still has other proven rushers available, but losing its sack leader changes the edge a bit. News also broke early yesterday that Daune Morris, Tennessee’s No. 2 running back, will not play against the Aggies.
The timing of this game only adds to the feeling that Tennessee could be walking into a tricky spot. The Vols are coming off an emotional top-10 win over rival Kentucky, and LSU is waiting at home next week. Against an Aggie team that has fallen short of expectations this season, this has the feel of a classic trap-game setup for Josh Heupel’s group.
Still, this isn’t just about circumstances. Tennessee’s defense is strong overall, but the run defense is the area Texas A&M should be able to target. The Vols have been, at best, middle of the pack against the run, and that gives the Aggies a clear path if the offense is designed to attack it properly.
Road form is another reason Texas A&M has a real chance here. Tennessee has already taken one of its two losses away from Neyland, and it nearly slipped up against Arkansas in Fayetteville a few weeks ago. The Vols have not looked quite as sharp away from home.
None of that makes this an easy call. Tennessee is ranked in the top 10 for a reason, even if the committee has kept the Vols behind Alabama despite Tennessee beating the Crimson Tide earlier this year. The defense has carried them through plenty, and it has the ability to slow Texas A&M down.
Even so, the combination of the travel delay, the personnel losses, and the spot in the schedule is enough to lean toward the Aggies. Texas A&M is the pick here, with David Olano playing a big role and KJ Edwards breaking loose for a long touchdown. The call: Aggies 19, Tennessee 13.
In Other News...
Texas A&M's Offensive Collapse Forced A Move Fans Feared
A rough night in Knoxville ended with Texas A&M making the kind of quarterback move fans could see coming once the offense stalled again. Late in the fourth quarter against Tennessee, Mike Elko turned to freshman Brady Hart and benched starter Marcel Reed after a difficult outing that left the Aggies searching for answers as the game slipped away.
Reed finished 9 of 22 for 71 yards with an interception, a line that reflected how little rhythm the offense found when it needed it most. The loss dropped Texas A&M to 4-6, and with the season moving into its final stretch, the quarterback situation suddenly feels like one more major decision hanging over the program. [Read more 🡒]
Texas A&Ms Biggest Home Game Briefly Had One Huge Concern
Fridays travel headache briefly put a wrinkle in one of Texas A&Ms biggest home dates, as Tennessee was delayed by a nationwide FAA ground stop that kept the Volunteers from leaving Knoxville on their planned schedule. Once the ground stop was lifted, Tennessee intended to head back to the airport and make the trip to College Station that same night, keeping the focus on getting in position for Saturdays matchup.
For the Aggies, the good news is that the game is still set for 2 p.m. CT as scheduled, so the disruption appears to be more of a logistical scare than a change to the actual kickoff. Still, any delay on the eve of a major SEC game adds a little extra uncertainty to the buildup, especially when a visiting team is trying to get settled and ready on a tight turnaround. [Read more 🡒]
Texas A&Ms Blackout Game Just Got Even More Intriguing
Texas A&Ms blackout game against No. 8 Tennessee already had the feel of a big-stage SEC night, and now the logistics around it have added another layer of uncertainty. The kickoff time could be delayed because of an FAA communications outage that has led to widespread flight cancellations, a reminder that even a marquee home game can get caught up in everything happening around it.
On the field, the matchup still comes down to the pieces both teams do have available. Tennessee will be without backup running back Duane Morris because of suspension, while Texas A&M remains without wide receiver Ashton Bethel-Roman for unspecified reasons. For the Aggies, senior quarterback Marcel Reed and a defense that will be tested by Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop loom as the key factors if the night finally gets rolling on schedule. [Read more 🡒]