Posted on 12/28/2007 5:36:57 PM

NCAA Football Bowl Betting – Nittany Lions vs. Aggies

By Tim Furious

The Valero Alamo Bowl may be in the Aggies back yard, but the Nittany Lions are the ones favored. And for good reason. Penn State will bring it’s strong penchant for defense in to Texas to tackle a team with an interim head coach play calling in his first game. For Joe Paterno, this will be his 500th game. Can the Nittany Lions make this milestone a memorable one?

Penn State Offense vs. Texas A&M Defense

The Aggies are horrific on the defensive side of the ball. They give up 264.2 passing yards and 151.8 rushing yards per game, and get burned for 26.1 points per game. None of those number could possibly settle the stomachs of their betting investors as they stare the Nittany Lions down the road. Penn State averages a whopping 30.8 points per game.

Quarterback Anthony Morelli is a mistake-prone quarterback who makes far too many errors considering that he’s a senior. Derrick Williams is the biggest receiving threat for the Lions, but Morelli’s ineptitude at quarterback makes it difficult for Williams to tear open a game. The Lions average 211.6 passing yards per game.

That puts the burden squarely on the shoulders of running-back Rodney Kinlaw, who decimates front-line for 5.3 yards per carry. He spearheads a rushing attack that is the crux of the Penn State offense. The Lions average 187.4 rushing yards per game.

Texas A&M Offense vs. Penn State Defense

Quarterback Stephen McGee is an incredibly gifted athlete, but his ability to use his feet to escape pressure has led to his inability to take over a football game with his arm. The Aggies only average 187.2 passing yards per game, while balancing that out with 215.6 rushing yards per game.

They have a massive 268 pound runner in Jorvorskie Lane. The big bruiser averages 4.7 yards per carry and is spelled by Mike Goodson, a sophomore speed demon who averages 4.6 yards per carry. But if either of these talented runner thinks they are going to wear down a school that prides itself on their talented, game changing linebackers, they have another thing coming.

NCAA Football Betting Trends

-Penn State is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games

-Penn State is 5-7 ATS on the season

-Texas A&M is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games

-Texas A&M is 5-6 ATS this season

Final Verdict

The Aggies offense is unpredictable at best and can not be relied on. Penn State may be making the trip down the road to Texas, but that should not wear on a team that is used to overcoming the odds. The Nittany Lions betting faithful can rest assured in a win, capping off a disappointing season for both teams.

Penn State Nittany Lions (8-4) vs. Texas A&M Aggies (7-5)

Saturday, December 29th --- Alamodome, San Antonio --- 8:00pm EST

Opening NCAA Football Line: Penn State -5.5 (51.5)

NCAA Football Free Pick: Penn State 31 Texas A&M 24

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