Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Texas A&M Aggies Betting Odds, College Football Pick

Texas A&M is off to a 5-0 start to this season and is 4-1 against the spread. Alabama, meanwhile, is 5-1 but only 2-4 versus the numbers. The Crimson Tide will go off as road chalk when they hit Kyle Field for a key game in the SEC West on Saturday afternoon in College Station.

Point spread: Crimson Tide opened as three-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (line updates and matchup report)

College football pick, via Odds Shark computer: 34.2-24.7 Crimson Tide

Why the Crimson Tide can cover the spread

Since dropping that game against Ole Miss last month, Alabama has won three straight contests, including a 27-14 decision over Arkansas last week. The Tide trailed the Razorbacks at the half, 7-3, but scored the next 24 points to take control.

Alabama also had the spread covered as a two-touchdown favorite until allowing a meaningless Hogs touchdown with a minute-and-a-half to go. On the night, the Tide outgained Arkansas 396-220, held the supposedly vaunted Razorbacks rushing attack to just 44 yards on just 25 carries and won time of possession by a 34-26 margin.

Two weeks ago, Alabama went into hostile territory in Athens and pounded Georgia, 38-10, so the Tide have no problem playing quality opponents in tough spots.

Why the Aggies can cover the spread

The Aggies sit just a half-game back of first-place LSU in the SEC West, with conference victories over Arkansas and Mississippi State. Two weeks ago, A&M beat the Bulldogs 30-17, covering as four-point favorites, then had last week off.

The Aggies rolled through their first four games this season, averaging almost 42 points per game, then got outplayed by the Razorbacks but prevailed in overtime, 28-21. Two weeks ago, A&M grabbed an early two-score lead over Mississippi State and never let go, eventually racking up 516 yards of offense with help from a second straight 300-yard passing performance from quarterback Kyle Allen.

The Aggies returned a ton of talent this season, including plenty of players who remember losing to Alabama last year, 59-0. So revenge, or at least redemption, might factor into their efforts on Saturday.

Smart pick

Alabama, of course, is fully capable of winning this game and covering this spread as road chalk, but this is a big one for A&M, and the off week in this instance should help. The smart choice in this spot is the home dog.

Betting trends

Alabama is 9-1 SU in its last 10 conference games.

Alabama is 4-1 SU and 1-4 ATS in its last five games.

Texas A&M is 5-12 ATS in its last 17 conference games.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark; all quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and get the free odds tracker app.