CFB: Independence Bowl - TEXAS A&M vs. GEORGIA (5:00 PM ET, ESPN)

SEC teams have had their way in the Independence Bowl in recent years, winning eight of their L10 appearances while going 7-3 ATS. Georgia will look to continue that trend when it takes on Texas A&M here. The Bulldogs are a touchdown favorite and boast on

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SEC teams have had their way in the Independence Bowl in recent years, winning eight of their L10 appearances while going 7-3 ATS. Georgia will look to continue that trend when it takes on Texas A&M here. The Bulldogs are a touchdown favorite and boast one of the best recent bowl records of any college team, 10-2 SU and 9-3 ATS since 1998. For that reason, nearly 2/3 of bettors at Sportsbook.com are backing Georgia at last check.

Georgia was just 7-5 SU and 4-7 ATS this season and hasn’t played in a lower-tier bowl game since 2001. Overall in non-conference road games, Georgia is on an impressive run of 21-6 ATS. Texas A&M reaches Shreveport with a 6-6 SU and 6-5 ATS mark, but is riding the momentum of a near-upset of Texas. The Aggies have struggled in bowl games, winning one of their last eight.

Texas A&M had one of the most explosive offenses nationally this season, ranking in the top 25 in passing (292.7 yards per game), rushing (190.4 YPG), total offense (465.3 YPG) and scoring (33.9 points per game). Georgia averaged 27.7 points per game. It is no secret that the Aggies are going to put points on the board and defensively will allow the Bulldogs to do the same. This is bad news for Texas A&M fans. Georgia is 17-3 ATS (+13.7 Units) in road games when they score 29-35 points since 1992. With an almost entirely new coaching staff on the defensive side of the ball for the bowl game, expect the Bulldogs to rise to the occasion and cover the number. Prediction: Georgia 34, Texas A&M 24

INDEPENDENCE BOWL Series Trend: After a long run of dominance by underdogs in the Independence Bowl in the late ‘90’s and early ‘00’s, favorites have turned the tide, going 5-1 SU & ATS since ’03. Strangely, the margins of victory have not been indicative of frequent favorite covers, with all but one of the 10 games being decided by a TD or less. SEC teams are on a 8-2 SU & 7-3 ATS run in the game. All signs appear to be pointing to Georgia.

Top FoxSheets.com ATS Trend
TEXAS A&M is 4-16 ATS (-13.6 Units) in road games after a bye week since 1992. The average score was TEXAS A&M 17.0, OPPONENT 28.7 - (Rating = 2*)

Top FoxSheets.com Total Super Situation
Play Over - Neutral field teams where the total is between 63.5 and 70 (GEORGIA) - in minor bowl games (played in December). (34-10 since 1992.) (77.3%, +23 units. Rating = 3*)

The Independence Bowl kicks off at 5:00 PM ET on Monday, don’t forget to get your wagers in before that time. Visit the LIVE ODDS page for all the latest options.

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