Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs Texas A&M Aggies: Free Belk Bowl Pick, 12–29–2017
Wake Forest Demon Deacons (7–5) vs Texas A&M Aggies (7–5)
Date: December 29th, 2017
Game Time: 1:00 pm
NCAAF Odds: Texas A&M +3, 65.5
Free Bowl Pick by ATS Expert Carmine Luzetti
The ACC and SEC will clash Friday in the 2017 Belk Bowl in Charlotte, NC as the Wake Forest Demon Deacons take on the Texas A&M Aggies. Both teams were 7–5 on the season but they both were good against the number: WF (8–3–1 ATS) / A&M (7–4–1 ATS). Oddsmakers have the Demon Deacons as -3 point favorites with the Total set at 65.5 at the time of this writing.
The Demon Deacons won their first four games but then lost their next three against quality ACC teams in Florida State, Clemson and Georgia Tech. The final five games got the fan base excited for next year posting a 3–2 record with wins over Louisville, Syracuse, and NC State. A big reason for the Demon Deacons success this season was their senior signal-caller, John Wolford. Wolford earned second-team All-ACC recognition after leading the conference in passer rating (157.5), tying for first in touchdown passes (25) while throwing just six interceptions. Wolford and company should be able to make some things happen through the air against a Texas A&M defense that ranks near the bottom of the SEC (10th) against the pass.
The Texas A&M Aggies will be coached Jeff Banks for their Bowl with Kevin Sumlin gone and Jimbo Fisher set to take over the program after the game. The Aggies grew impatient with Sumlin as they have not surpassed 8 wins since the 2013–14 season, which was the last time they won a bowl game. A&M has a history of starting off the season winning football games but losing traction when they enter the heart of the SEC schedule down the stretch.
Thanks to injuries, Texas A&M has used three different quarterbacks this season. The Aggies are 65th in the FBS in passing offense with 230.6 yards per game and stand 74th in rushing with 159 yards per contest. Texas A&M is 43rd in the FBS in scoring offense with 31.1 points per contest and 81st in scoring defense as they allow 28.7 points per game.
As with any bowl game, the biggest question is which team wants it more? A&M may be playing for Jimbo Fisher and the future but the same can be said for Wake as a dark horse ACC team in 2018. The edge at quarterback goes to John Wolford at Wake and the Demon Deacons are 4–0 ATS in their last 4 bowl games. I just don’t know which team we will see from the Aggies and it’s typically tough for teams and players to play in a bowl game after their head coach is fired. I think Wake Forest has more motivation to win this game and they are playing closer to home in Charlotte which should equate to more fan support.
Free Belk Bowl Pick: Wake Forest -3
