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No. 15 Arizona State Sun Devils vs Texas A&M Aggies preview, predictions, betting odds and live stream info

By Charles Rahrig V

Nov 28, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Mike Bercovici (2) against the Arizona Wildcats during the 88th annual territorial cup at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Mike Bercovici (2) against the Arizona Wildcats during the 88th annual territorial cup at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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No. 15 Arizona State Sun Devils vs. Texas A&M Aggies

The No. 15 Arizona State Sun Devils and Texas A&M will kick off the season Saturday night, in Houston, Texas. The Sun Devils will be led quarterback Mike Bercovici as they look to pick up a win over a strong SEC opponent and begin their march toward a Pac-12 South Championship. The Aggies will be led by sophomore quarterback Kyle Allen, an Arizona native, as they try to show they can be difference makers in their conference as well.

Details for Saturday night’s game are below:

Date: Saturday, September 5, 2015
Start Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Houston, TX
Stadium: Reliant Stadium
TV Info: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN App
Radio: ESPN Phoenix 620 AM/Texas A&M Radio Stations Click Here
Ticket Information: For Arizona State Sun Devils ticket info click here. For Texas A&M ticket info click here.

Keys to Victory

For Arizona State, they need to let Mike Bercovici do his thing and give him ample space to throw the ball. When Bercovici has time to throw, he can be one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. He has weapons such as D.J. Foster and should be able to put up big numbers. If he faces too much pressure, he stands the chance of making mistakes and on the road against an SEC opponent, that can’t happen.

Defensively, ASU likes to blitz and they always have under Todd Graham. Kyle Allen started six games last season for Texas A&M and has experience, but this is his first year as the guy leading the offense. They have to get after him on a consistent basis and force him into making mistakes.

Offensively for the Aggies, they are facing an Arizona State team that likes to blitz and get after the quarterback. Kyle Allen is going to need time to throw or he’s going to be swallowed up very quickly. The interior offensive line returns for the Aggies this season, but their tackles are brand new. Expect the Sun Devils to target the new tackles early and often.

Defensively, the Aggies need to force Mike Bercovici, who is a gunslinger, into making mistakes. When he’s pressured to throw like he did in some instances last season, Bercovici can throw some critical interceptions. This is likely to be a close game so Texas A&M will need to get pressure late in the game to secure a victory.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Texas A&M -3

Moneyline: Texas A&M -110

O/U: 70

Prediction

Both teams come into this game wanting to get a big win as they get ready for a season of conference championship aspirations. The Sun Devils believe they have a quarterback that can lead them to a Pac-12 South Championship, and potentially a College Football Playoff berth. The Aggies have the same confidence in their quarterback Kyle Allen and will be looking to air it out downfield.

Arizona State’s defense will have to be careful when blitzing that they get to the quarterback and don’t put their cornerbacks on an island. The Aggies will jump out to an early lead and the Sun Devils will answer right back with a couple scores of their own thanks to the offensive prowess of coordinator Mike Norvell.

As the game wears on, it will be the Devils who get to Kyle Allen by pushing their way through the Aggies new offensive tackles. The Sun Devils will get a couple scores ahead thanks to Mike Bercovici and D.J. Foster and will rely on their defense to close out the game.

They will have to contain A&M wide receiver Speedy Noil, or the Aggies will run free. Expect the Aggies to have one last chance at the win and the ball on the final possession. However, Tashon Smallwood and the Devils defensive line will force a Kyle Allen turnover and they will escape Texas as winners.

Final Score: No. 15 Arizona State Sun Devils 31, Texas A&M Aggies 25

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