Texas A&M Aggies Football Team Preview 2019: Odds and Predictions

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— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) June 21, 2019

2018 Season in Review

The 2018 season was a mixed back for A&M, who started the year 2-2 after losses to top-2 opponents Clemson and Alabama. The Aggies would make a brief appearance in the top 25 rankings after beating 13th ranked Kentucky on October 6th, before dropping out after consecutive losses to Mississippi State and Auburn.

The highlight of the season without question was their 74-72 win over LSU, which went through seven overtime periods. The Aggies would ride the momentum from that win into bowl season, where they blew out NC State 52-13 in the Gator Bowl.

Key Returning Players (2018 Stats)

Reality gone hit ya or we gone hit ya! pic.twitter.com/m3aqhUFfMp

— Quartney Davis ? (@QuartneyDavis1) May 19, 2019

• QB Kellen Mond (Junior) – 3,107 Pass Yards | 24 Pass TD | 474 Rush Yards
• WR Quartney Davis (Redshirt Junior) – 45 Receptions | 585 Rec Yards | 7 Rec TD
• DT Justin Madubuike (Redshirt Junior) – 40 Total Tackles | 10.5 TFL | 5.5 Sacks
• K Seth Small (Sophomore) – 20/28 FG | 40/40 PAT | 100 Points

Quarterback Kellen Mond is expected to start behind center once again, where he will be joined by running back Jashaun Corbin, who should have a much larger role. A&M’s top wideout Quartney Davis returns, along with fellow receivers Camron Buckley and Jhamon Ausbon. The Aggies will be hopeful that an offensive line led by left tackle Dan Moore Jr. and centre Ryan McCollum will protect Mond better than last year, when the junior quarterback was sacked 34 times.

There will be a lot of new faces stepping on defense, as the top returning tackler is defensive tackle, Justin Madubuike. Cornerback Charles Oliver and safety Derrick Tucker are expected to lead an improving secondary, while redshirt junior Keeath Magee II should slot in at middle linebacker, with Buddy Johnson and Braden White flanking him.

Key Departures

• C Erik McCoy (NFL Draft)
• TE Jace Sternberger (NFL Draft)
• DE Kingsley Keke (Graduation)
• RB Trayveon Williams (NFL Draft)

The Aggies drew the short end of the stick when it comes to attrition, with seven players chosen in the NFL Draft. Those draftees include tight end Jace Sternberger, who was Mond’s top receiving target, and running back Trayveon Williams, who ran for over 1,700 yards in 2018.

The defense in particular was hit hard, as pass rushers Kingsley Keke and Landis Durham ran out of eligibility, as did fellow lineman Daylon Mack. Linebackers Tyrel Dodson and Otaro Alaka are also gone, with Dodson leaving school early and consequentially ending up undrafted. Lastly, backup quarterback Nick Starkel decided to transfer to Arkansas, leaving Connor Blumrick as the only returning backup in College Station who has thrown a collegiate pass.

Notable Recruits (Star Ratings and Rankings According to Rivals.com)

• CB Erick Young – 5 Star | 6-1, 195lb | George Bush HS | Richmond, TX
• OT Kenyon Green – 5 Star | 6-5, 315lb | Atascocita HS | Humble, TX
• DE DeMarvin Leal – 5 Star | 6-6, 270lb | Judson HS | Converse, TX
• WR Dylan Wright – 4 Star | 6-5, 198lb | West Mesquite HS | Mesquite, TX

A strong recruiter during his days at Florida State, coach Fisher has continued to be strong in that area in the fertile state of Texas. Fisher and his staff brought in the number six ranked class, with top ten overall recruit and top Texas prospect DeMarvin Leal topping the group. Joining Leal is fifth ranked corner recruit Erick Young, along with a pair of big wideouts in Dylan Wright (6-5) and Kenyon Jackson (6-6). The Aggies also doubled up on tight end prospects looking for the next Sternberger, as they locked up in-state recruits Baylor Cupp and Jalen Wydermyer.

2019 Schedule

If the Aggies are to come out on top in the SEC West, they will have to go through a brutal schedule to get there. Their meeting at Clemson will be a big test and key indicator of their success this season. Road trips to Georgia and LSU to close the regular season will prove to be a challenge as well. The one positive Aggie fans can appreciate about this schedule is having a bye week to prepare for Alabama.

Where to Bet on Win Totals and Conference Title Odds in New Jersey

New Jersey residents can log on to 888Sport to wager on Texas A&M’s SEC title odds and win total. With an over/under of 7.5 wins and a very tough schedule, bettors should have a difficult time deciding how TAMU’s season will play out.

Number of Games Won – Excluding Bowl Games & Play Offs

Regular season only. Conference championship games do not count.

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