College Football Betting Odds 2014: Texas A&M, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Kentucky
College Football betting odds for 2014 were being offered at Sportsbook.ag. Below we have previews for Texas A&M, Arkansas, Vanderbilt and Kentucky.
TEXAS A&M AGGIES
2013 Statistics:
SU Record: 9-4 (4-4 in SEC)
ATS Record: 5-8 (39%)
Over/Under: 9-4
Points Scored: 44.2 PPG (5th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 32.2 PPG (96th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 100/1
2014 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 6
Defense: Starters Returning: 7
There’s no chance the Aggies will be able to replace Johnny Manziel’s playmaking. Either sophomore QB Kenny Hill (16-for-22, 183 yds, 1 TD) or true freshman QB Kyle Allen will run their offense. But it will likely be RB Trey Williams (407 rush yds, 6 TD) becoming the focal point of the offense, especially with Mike Evans also playing on Sundays now. WR Malcome Kennedy (658 rec yards, 7 TD) returns, though sophomore WR Ricky Seals-Jones (3 rec, 84 yds) has the upside to be the new No. 1. The O-Line is excellent, with LT Cedric Ogbuehi capably filling Jake Matthews’ shoes. The Aggies allowed an SEC-worst 222.3 rushing YPG, and they’ll likely struggle again after dismissing DT Isaiah Golden and LB Darian Claiborne. In the secondary, A&M is short on talent aside from shutdown CB Deshazor Everett (73 tackles).
ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS
2013 Statistics:
SU Record: 3-9 (0-8 in SEC)
ATS Record: 4-8 (33%)
Over/Under: 7-5
Points Scored: 20.7 PPG (106th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 30.8 PPG (89th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: <b>100/1 (Field)
2014 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 7
Defense: Starters Returning: 6
Bret Bielema’s first year was predictably rough, but the pieces are there for a solid improvement in Year 2. Bielema’s run-first offense will be led by RB Alex Collins (1,026 rush yds, 5.4 YPC), the second Razorback ever to hit 1,000 yards as a freshman, and RB Jonathan Williams (900 rush yds, 6.0 YPC). QB Brandon Allen (6.0 YPA, 13 TD, 10 INT) had a shaky first year as a starter but should improve, especially if his shoulder is fully healthy. Robb Smith is their fourth defensive coordinator in four years, and he inherits a group that will likely struggle. DE Trey Flowers (5 sacks, 13.5 TFL, 3 FF) is a bright spot and should lead a solid pass rush. The secondary is experienced with CBs Tevin Mitchel, Carroll Washington and Will Hines (11 PD combined), but short on talent. Linebacker also continues to be a trouble spot.
VANDERBILT COMMODORES
2013 Statistics:
SU Record: 9-4 (4-4 in SEC)
ATS Record: 7-6 (54%)
Over/Under: 8-5
Points Scored: 30.1 PPG (56th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 24.6 PPG (46th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 1,000/1
2014 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 7
Defense: Starters Returning: 3
New Head Coach: Derek Mason
With the lack of a clear-cut favorite at quarterback, new coach Derek Mason will likely rely on the running game similar to the Stanford program he left. Five-foot-7 RB Jerron Seymour (716 rush yds, 14 TD) and RB Brian Kimbrow (341 rush yds) will likely see heavy workloads. QB Patton Robinette (7.3 YPA, 4 TD, 5 INT) will battle redshirt freshman QB Johnny McCrary and LSU transfer QB Stephen Rivers (0-for-2 career) to start, but the receiving corps is barren after the departures of Jordan Matthews and Jonathan Krause, who combined for 74% of Vandy’s receiving yards. Mason will convert the Commodores to a 3-4 front in this transitional year for the defense. They do have an anchor for the D-Line though, with NT Vince Taylor (18 tackles).
KENTUCKY WILDCATS
2013 Statistics:
SU Record: 2-10 (0-8 in SEC)
ATS Record: 4-8 (33%)
Over/Under: 5-7
Points Scored: 20.5 PPG (108th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 31.2 PPG (90th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 100/1 (Field)
2014 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 8
Defense: Starters Returning: 8
Neal Brown brought the Air Raid offense to Lexington, and improved QB play will allow UK to soar in 2014. Sophomore QB Patrick Towles (5.8 YPA in 2012), a former four-star recruit, has the edge over freshmen QBs Drew Barker and Reese Phillips. The Wildcats should be able to run behind a veteran O-Line and talented backs, including RB Jojo Kemp (482 rush yds, 3 TD) and Nebraska transfer RB Braylon Heard (6.0 YPC in career). DC Mark Stoops brings back the bulk of last year’s unit, one that was overmatched at times but has some raw talent. The pass-rush duo of DEs Za’Darius Smith (6 sacks) and Alvin Dupree (7 sacks, 2 FF) could be one of the SEC’s best, and the return of CB J.D. Harmon from academic suspension bolsters the secondary. Replacing MLB Avery Williamson will be a challenge.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
