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

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.

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.