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Texas A&M Football

Betting on the Ags: Why A&M shouldn't dismiss title hopes in 2022

February 23, 2022
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Talk is cheap. So am I.

Still, I’m willing to put my money where my mouth is. Unfortunately, my mouth is metaphorically bigger than my wallet.

Hence, the $20 on Texas A&M to win the 2022 college football national championship I wagered in Las Vegas last weekend.

A paltry bet? Perhaps. A frivolous bet? No way.

On more than one occasion, I’ve talked and written that Texas A&M need not look to 2023 to attain that elusive national crown.

That would seem a prudent target season. The Aggies will project to have an experienced starting quarterback, a proven offensive line and a bunch of players from the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class ready to make a major impact. Also, Alabama will again be coming to Kyle Field.

But there’s no reason not to contend in 2022.

I also think the Aggies will no longer fear Alabama. Heck, even with Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Bryce Young returning, the Crimson Tide still has a few question marks.

As we know, the Aggies were 8-4 last season but were in contention in the fourth quarter to win each game they lost. They also beat Alabama.

This was accomplished despite an injured backup quarterback playing most of the season. Also, with multiple injuries at receiver, two true freshmen starting in the offensive line and a true freshman starting at cornerback.

Even though NFL first-round draft talents like guard Kenyon Green, defensive end DeMarvin Leal, running back Isaiah Spiller and tight end Jalen Wydermyer have departed, the Aggies still figure to be significantly better, if healthy.

I’m counting on a big year from mercurial running back Devon Achane and safety Antonio Johnson. I anticipate immediate major impacts from freshman defensive tackle Walter Nolen and receiver Evan Stewart. I think the secondary could be A&M’s best since Aaron Glenn and Ray Mickens were the starting corners.

I think A&M’s quarterback play will be stellar. My bet is Haynes King will emerge as a star as projected. Yet, LSU transfer Max Johnson is included on the BetMGM Heisman Trophy bet sheet. The odds are 100-1, but he’s still there.

I also think the Aggies will no longer fear Alabama. Heck, even with Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Bryce Young returning, the Crimson Tide still has a few question marks.

So, with that in mind, I confidently walked into the Luxor sportsbook and plunked down a Jackson on the Aggies to win it all at 35-1 odds.

I’m a poor man’s Mark Skiba.

You probably have forgotten Skiba but likely remember his story.

Skiba is an Alabama resident who works for a medical software company. He bet $100 that Auburn would win the 2013 national title. The odds were 500-1 because the Tigers were 3-9 the previous season and were under first-year coach Gus Malzahn.

Jamie Maury, TexAgs
Devon Achane’s speed and big-play ability as the Aggies feature back could help him emerge as a Heisman candidate in 2022.

So after scoring a touchdown with 10 seconds remaining to escape Mississippi State 24-20. After getting away with a horse-collar tackle on Johnny Manziel and upsetting Texas A&M 45-41. After beating Georgia, 43-28, on the “Prayer at Jordan-Hare” and shocking Alabama 34-28 on the “Kick Six,” the Tigers advanced to the national championship game.

Skiba was likely thinking about all he could buy when Auburn scored a touchdown to take a 31-27 lead over Florida State with 1:19 remaining.

But the Seminoles scored a touchdown with 13 seconds left to win the national title and deny Skiba $50,000.

Skiba could have placed a bet on Florida State to ensure that he’d get some kind of payday. Instead, he decided to go all-in on his team.

“I heard from a lot of Auburn fans,” Skiba said then. “Some of them said, ‘You’ve come this far, you’re going to give up now?’”

Skiba believed. So do I.

Plus, I’m betting on A&M coach Jimbo Fisher. Skiba was betting against Fisher, who was then coaching at Florida State.

But for me to win $50,000, I’d have had to wager roughly $1,425. I’m content on a bet that would pay off  $700.

Hey, I only bet what I can afford to lose. Liucci pays me well, but not THAT well.

Discussion from...

Betting on the Ags: Why A&M shouldn't dismiss title hopes in 2022

12,558 Views | 16 Replies | Last: 2 yr ago by Playboy
Azariah
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AG
Sounds like fun. I live and die enough through Aggie football that I don't need anything raising the stakes on me, though.
Iraq2xVeteran
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AG
I appreciate your optimism about contending in 2022, but we will have to beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa to win the SEC West and finish with no more than one conference loss. An 11-1 season with a win over Alabama would give us the SEC West division title, but an 11-1 season with our only loss to Alabama would keep us out of the SEC Championship Game. I believe we have a better chance of winning the SEC West in 2023 because that's when we host Alabama. Even if we win the SEC West, we will have to beat Georgia in the SEC Championship Game to punch a ticket to the College Football Playoffs. I believe we can achieve these goals in 2023.
TexanJeff
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AG
Olin,

This article is 6 months early in the degrees of optimism annual cycle.

National Champs is Mid August if memory serves
AWP 97
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AG
"mercurial running back Devon Achane"

Does Olin know what the word mercurial means? I think this is the second time he has used it to describe Achane. IMO, it is not a flattering description.
West Point Aggie
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AG
With A&M football…title hopes always seem to be the year after next…in 2020 I kept hearing 2022…go back in time and you probably heard similar math!
Let’s Go Brandon!
BQDrummer85
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AG
Keepin the dream alive!
Meximan
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How is Achane "mercurial"? He seems like a model citizen and a consistent performer.


rab79
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AG
AWP 97 said:

"mercurial running back Devon Achane"

Does Olin know what the word mercurial means? I think this is the second time he has used it to describe Achane. IMO, it is not a flattering description.
perhaps he is using this definition
Quote:

2. Having the characteristics of eloquence, shrewdness, swiftness, and thievishness attributed to the god Mercury.
Achane is certainly capable of stealing momentum...
NO AMNESTY!

in order for democrats, liberals, progressives et al to continue their illogical belief systems they have to pretend not to know a lot of things; by pretending "not to know" there is no guilt, no actual connection to conscience. Denial of truth allows easier trespass.
TxAg76
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AG
Drunk on the maroon koolaid already??
AgKat2000
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I have a feeling Chris Marshall could make a big impact as well. That kid is gonna be special.
BJC
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AG
If we win the SEC title this fall, which at the very least will guarantee us an automatic bid to a NY6 bowl if not in the CFP, I will be a satisfied Ag...
BJC
Texas A&M Aggie Class of '96
AG81
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AG
AWP 97 said:

"mercurial running back Devon Achane"

Does Olin know what the word mercurial means? I think this is the second time he has used it to describe Achane. IMO, it is not a flattering description.


Doubtful. According to the definitions in the Merriam Webster and Oxford dictionaries, none apply to Achane. Insulting really.


NewEra2023
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AG
My username checks out for a reason
Sean98
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AG
Jordan-"Hair"??
MaroonStain
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AG
That last snippet....LOLOLOLOLOLOL
Playboy
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AG
Mercury is the "fastest" metal.
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