Texas Bowl Betting: Texas A&M vs. Kansas State Odds, Analysis and Pick

Texas A&M is 4-1 straight up and 3-2 against the spread over its last five bowl games. Near the other end of the spectrum, Kansas State is 1-7 both SU and ATS over its previous eight bowls. Former conference rivals renew acquaintances when the Aggies tangle with the Wildcats in the Texas Bowl December 28 at 9 p.m. ET in Houston.

Texas Bowl point spread: The Aggies opened as 2.5-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark (view line updates and matchup report).

College football pick, via OddsShark computer: 35.1-29.2 Wildcats (view college football picks on every game).

Why the Texas A&M Aggies can cover the spread

Texas A&M started 6-0 this season (4-0 in SEC play) and for a brief moment entered the national championship conversation. And while the Aggies lost four of their last six games, they had chances for a better finish.

Texas A&M actually led at Alabama well into the third quarter but gave up the last 20 points of the game in a 33-14 defeat. The Aggies later rallied from way back at Mississippi State to within one score but ran out of time. And they led Ole Miss by 15 points into the fourth quarter but lost on a field goal in the final minute.

For the season, Texas A&M ranks 28th in the country in total offense, averaging 468 yards, with 251 through the air and 217 on the ground.

Finally, while starting quarterback Trevor Knight missed action down the stretch due to injuries, reports indicate he'll be good to go for this bowl.

Why the Kansas State Wildcats can cover the spread

KSU only started 3-3 this season, but those three losses came at Stanford, at West Virginia and at eventual Big 12 champion Oklahoma. The Wildcats then won five of their last six games to secure a bowl berth for the seventh straight season.

Kansas State finished the regular season with a 30-6 triumph at TCU. The Wildcats outgained the Horned Frogs by 215 yards, outrushed them by 194 yards and held a 34-26 advantage in time of possession. So Kansas State outgained each of its final three opponents and outrushed each of its last six foes.

On the season, the Wildcats outrushed opponents by an average of 120 yards per game.

Smart pick

Texas A&M owns the edge on offense, but the Wildcats have the advantage on defense. Also, Kansas State finished with three straight wins, while the Aggies gave up 54 points and a ton of yards in a bad loss to LSU. Despite their recent bowl struggles, the smart money at online betting sites sides with the Wildcats.

Betting trends

Texas A&M is 0-4 ATS in its last four games against Kansas State.

The total has gone over in eight of Texas A&M's last 10 games against Kansas State.

Kansas State is 1-7 SU and ATS in its last eight games in the postseason.

All college football lines and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, OddsShark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and the OddsShark YouTube page for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.