Texas A&M Aggies vs. Georgia Bulldogs: Independence Bowl Preview & Predictions

December 28, 2009 | 5:00 PM EST, Shreveport, LA on ESPN

Independence Bowl: Texas A&M Aggies (6-6) vs Georgia Bulldogs (7-5)

Opening Line: Georgia -7

Game Preview

If you told the Aggies they would play Georgia in a bowl game at the beginning of the year, most would have assumed a season of fantastic success.

But that simply isn't the case as Georgia fell fast this year after losing its top QB and RB to the NFL. Their offense remained surprisingly potent but their normally stout defense fell off significantly and the team just couldn't get it done in the tough SEC.

For A&M, their pass happy offense brought tons of excitement, including a near upset of No. 2 Texas. All season long they proved that their offense can keep them in any game. This could be a very entertaining shootout.

Texas A&M Preview

The Aggies feasted on the weaklings in their schedule to gain the necessary six victories to become bowl eligible. They hung close with Texas and Oklahoma State but were ultimately out-manned.

In both games, QB Jerrod Johnson was a revelation. He is elusive and has an underrated set of receivers. I don't want to heap too much praise but he reminds me a bit of Randall Cunningham. I think he can conjure enough of that kind of magic to pull off the upset but he is going to need help from RB Christine Mickell so they can achieve some balance.

The Aggies are not going to get much help from a defense that gives up more than 32 points per game. They are far from the "Wrecking Crew" days.

Georgia Preview

Don't let the poor record throw you too much as there is still talent on this year's Bulldog team.

His numbers are down from last year but WR A.J. Green is still a matchup nightmare. They have a stable of fast, powerful backs, even though none of them have separated themselves from the group.

Georgia is coming off of their best game of the season, an upset victory over rival Georgia Tech. They out-rushed the vaunted Yellow Jacket running attack, with both Caleb King and Washaun Ealey gaining over 150 yards. If they can get that kind of production in the running game again, this one may not be close.

Game Prediction

Which team wants to make a statement going into 2010?

If A&M can pull the upset, they might be considered a team on the rise in a Big 12 without Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford.

On the other side, senior QB Joe Cox should be looking to go out a winner. I like the Aggies to step up in an exciting offensive battle and Jerrod Johnson to gather some hype for the year to come.

Pick

I love Georgia to fall a little flat after punching GT in the mouth in a regular season—really, that was their bowl game. I still expect the game to be competitive but I think there are lots of good reasons to grab the Aggies and the points.

Prediction

Texas A&M - 45 Georgia - 42

TEXAS A&M AGGIES FOOTBALL BETTING TRENDS

• Texas A&M is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
• Texas A&M is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
• The total has gone OVER in 6 of Texas A&M's last 8 games

GEORGIA BULLDOGS FOOTBALL BETTING TRENDS

• Georgia is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games
• Bulldogs are 3-12 ATS in their last 15 games as a favorite