Tag: Jimbo Fisher

The Athletic ranks CFB’s best coaches – Is Kirby Smart too low?

The Athletic ranked the best coaches in college football, but did they rank Georgia football’s Kirby Smart too low?

This week, Stewart Mandel and Bruce Feldman of The Athletic ranked college football’s top coaches.

Kirby Smart checked in relatively high on both lists, but is he high enough?

Here are the two lists.

Stewart Mandel:

1. Nick Saban (Alabama) and Dabo Swinney (Clemson)

3. Ed Orgeron, LSU

4. Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma

5. Kirby Smart, Georgia

6. Brian Kelly, Notre Dame

7. James Franklin, Penn State

8. Dan Mullen, Florida

9. Paul Chryst, Wisconsin

10. Bill Clark, UAB

Bruce Feldman:

1. Nick Saban, Alabama

2. Dabo Swinney, Clemson

3. James Franklin, Penn State

4. Ed Orgeron, LSU

5. Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma

6. Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M

7. Kirby Smart, Georgia

8. Brian Kelly, Notre Dame

9. Kyle Whittingham, Utah

10. Scott Satterfield, Louisville

Let’s discuss:

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Texas Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Texas A&M odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Texas Bowl Texas A&M and Oklahoma State NCAA football matchup, with NCAA football betting odds, picks and best bets.

With bowl season well underway, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl gets its turn in the spotlight on Friday, Dec. 27. The Texas A&M Aggies (7-5) face the Oklahoma State Cowboys (8-4) from NRG Stadium in Houston. Kickoff is set for 6:45 p.m. ET.

We analyze the Oklahoma State-Texas A&M odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Oklahoma State vs. Texas A&M: Three things you need to know

1. Bowl success is common for both head coaches. Mike Gundy has led Oklahoma State to three straight bowl victories and seven in their last nine. The Aggies’ Jimbo Fisher is 6-2 in bowl games.

2. Oklahoma State RB Chuba Hubbard leads the nation with 1,936 rushing yards and is tied for third with 21 rushing touchdowns.

3. Both teams average 30 or more points a game and both allow more than 22 per game.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Oklahoma State vs. Texas A&M: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 3:25 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Texas A&M 37, Oklahoma State 34

Moneyline (ML)

Texas A&M beat all of its inferior opponents, with all five losses coming against teams ranked no worse than No. 8 at the time. Hence the Aggies sit as the heavy favorites at -264. That makes the Cowboys at +205 an intriguing option. While I believe the Aggies will win outright, I expect a close game — close enough that taking a shot at more than doubling your money with Oklahoma State may be worth a small bet.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Oklahoma State returns a profit of $20.50.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Texas A&M is favored at -6.5 (-125) and is 7-5 ATS this season. But Oklahoma State has been even better, going 9-3 ATS. With two offenses that can score points and defenses that will give up points, this should be back-and-forth. I think that makes the Aggies winning by at least a touchdown too tall an order. Take the COWBOYS +6.5 (+105).

Over/Under (O/U)

The total is set at 53.5 points — a touchdown lower than the average total in Oklahoma State games, but a point higher than the average Texas A&M total. While neither team consistently hit the over in their games this season (Texas A&M games went over the total only four times and Oklahoma State’s games did five times), this is bound to be a high-scoring game. Last year’s Texas Bowl was a 45-38 thriller. Hit the OVER 53.5 (-115) in this matchup.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Top-10 highest paid college football coaches

Who is the highest paid coach in college football?

College athletics is a multibillion dollar industry with huge amounts of money falling into the pockets of just about everyone involved — except the players actually participating.

Coaches’ salaries continue to climb, the base amounts are approaching eight figures and the bonus opportunities now written into contracts seem endless. Through the 2019 conference championship weekend, head coaches at FBS public schools have earned nearly $9.5 million in bonuses so far, according to USA TODAY Sports.

For example, LSU coach Ed Orgeron has already earned $1.05 million in bonuses on top of his $4 million annual salary. By beating Georgia in the SEC championship game, he earned $425,000 in bonuses: $200,000 for the Tigers winning the conference championship and another $225,000 for the team making it to the College Football Playoff.

And there’s even more money on the table if he continues winning. He’ll receive $150,000 for winning a playoff semifinal game — LSU plays Oklahoma in the Peach Bowl — and could get $500,000 with a national championship.

Also, because so many coaches are employed by public universities, the highest paid public employee in 39 states is either a college football or basketball coach, according to ESPN.

But how much is that exactly? Here’s a breakdown of the top-10 highest paid college football coaches in 2019, according to USA TODAY Sports‘ salary database.

Note: School pay includes base salary, as well as other school-related sources of income, and all buyout data is as of December 1, 2019.

1. Dabo Swinney, Clemson

School pay: $9,255,000
Maximum bonus: $1,125,000
School buyout: $50,000,000

2. Nick Saban, Alabama

School pay: $8,707,000
Maximum bonus: $1,100,000
School buyout: $34,100,000

3. Jim Harbaugh, Michigan

School pay: $7,504,000
Maximum bonus: $1,325,000
School buyout: $11,687,500

4. Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M

School pay: $7,500,000
Maximum bonus: $1,500,000
School buyout: $60,625,000

5. Kirby Smart, Georgia

School pay: $6,703,600
Maximum bonus: $1,150,000
School buyout: $24,239,584

6. Gus Malzahn, Auburn

School pay: $6,800,000
Maximum bonus: $1,400,000
School buyout: $27,050,000

7. Tom Herman, Texas

School pay: $6,750,000
Maximum bonus: $725,000
School buyout: $20,416,667

8. Jeff Brohm, Purdue

School pay: $6,600,000
Maximum bonus: $1,290,000
School buyout: $27,650,000

9. Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma

School pay: $6,384,462
Maximum bonus: $950,000
School buyout: $21,013,333

10. Dan Mullen, Florida

School pay: $6,070,000
Maximum bonus: $925,000
School buyout: $12,000,000

For more information about college football coaches’ salaries and contracts for the 130 FBS schools, visit USA TODAY Sports’ 2019 NCAAF Coaches Salaries database.

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Georgia football injury report ahead of UGA vs Tech game

Take a look at Georgia footballs injury status prior to UGA’s final game of their regular season before LSU at Georgia Tech.

Georgia defeated the Texas A&M Aggies this Saturday in a cold and rainy matchup by a final score of 19-13.  A win is a win, but man wouldn’t it be nice to close some teams out strong?

The Dawgs didn’t look bad in the first half, nearly covering the 13-point spread they were given prior to the game. It was the 2nd half that made Bulldog fans scratch their heads.

The Aggies outscored Georgia 10-6 in the 2nd half.  That is a pretty bad look for a No. 4 team, but give credit to a hard-fought, Jimbo Fisher coached team.

Now the Dawgs have just one more opponent left before facing LSU in the SEC Championship game, and that is Georgia Tech.

With LSU looming, the Dawgs will look to be as healthy as possible for that game.

Here is a look at the injured Bulldogs heading into week 14 at Tech.

Full injury report:

Probable: DB Eric Stokes

Stokes left the Texas A&M game just before halftime after he got a little dinged up on a hit.  Kirby Smart did not seem concerned about the matter.  Expect Stokes to be ready to go.

Probable: DB Tyson Campbell

Campbell has been playing through a toe injury for the past couple of weeks but is cleared to play against Tech.

Probable: OL Cade Mays

Mays has been nursing an ankle injury since the Missouri game.  He dressed against A&M but was very limited, as is expected next week in order to save him for LSU.

Questionable: WR Trey Blount

Blount is listed as questionable with an undisclosed injury.

Questionable: WR Lawrence Cager

Cager has been battling a left shoulder injury nearly the entire season.  Even missing a number of games, Cager is still the Dawgs leader in receptions and receiving yards.  Expect Cager to get minimal time if any to rest him up for the SEC Championship game vs LSU.

OUT: WR Tommy Bush

Bush has been recovering from a sports hernia and will likely be out for the year.

OUT: DT Tramel Walthour

Walthour is battling a lower-body injury and has no timetable for his return.

OUT: OL Owen Condon

Condon has been battling a lower-body injury all year and Saturday was seen in a sling.  Should likely be out for season.

OUT: OL Justin Shaffer

Shaffer was in a neck brace for the A&M game and has no timetable for his return.

OUT: QB D’Wan Mathis

Freshman quarterback D’wan Mathis is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery to remove a cyst from his brain this offseason.  There is no current timetable for Mathis’ return.

Georgia Football Week 13: Expert picks and predictions (UGA vs Texas AM)

The UGA Wire staff has put together its weekly Georgia football game, stat and score predictions prior to Saturday’s matchup against TAMU.

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The Georgia Bulldogs secured their trip to the 2019 SEC Championship game last week with a seven point victory at Auburn.  The #4 Bulldogs have just one more SEC matchup this Saturday in Athens against Texas A&M.

The un-ranked Aggies are not to be taken lightly.  They’ve had one of the hardest schedules in college football and will be playing four top 5 teams, including three #1 teams (Alabama, Clemson, LSU).

Jimbo Fisher’s squad has lost to Alabama, Auburn and Clemson, but have steamrolled just about everybody else.  Those are three very quality losses that make it harder to predict what the outcome of the Georgia game will be.

The two teams kickoff at 3:30 p.m. EST this Saturday on Dooley Field and should be the Dawgs last test before meeting LSU in Atlanta.

The UGA Wire staff has put together a list of score, stat and game predictions ahead of Saturdays matchup.

Here are the picks:

The money makers:

#4 Georgia (-13.5) vs Texas A&M

Game pick: If you think Georgia will win and cover, Georgia. If you think Georgia will win, but not cover, Georgia*. If you think Texas A&M will win, Texas A&M.  (Georgia -13.5)

Jackson Fryburger: UGAWire.com- Georgia

Joe Vitale: UGAWire.com-  Georgia

James Morgan: UGAWire.com- Georgia

Jackson Stone: UGAWire.com- Georgia 

Henry Sillen: UGAWire.com- Georgia

Garrett Shearman: UGAWire.com- Georgia*

Over/under (45.5) 

If you think the total will go over, over. If you think the total will go under, under.

Jackson Fryburger: UGAWire.com- Under

Joe Vitale: UGAWire.com-  Under

James Morgan: UGAWire.com- Over

Jackson Stone: UGAWire.com- Under

Henry Sillen: UGAWire.com- Over

Garrett Shearman: UGAWire.com- Under

Score prediction:

Jackson Fryburger: UGAWire.com- Georgia 31, Texas A&M 14

Joe Vitale: UGAWire.com- Georgia 30, Texas A&M 13

James Morgan: UGAWire.com- Georgia 29, Texas A&M 17

Jackson Stone: UGAWire.com- Georgia 34 , Texas A&M 10

Henry Sillen: UGAWire.com- Georgia 34, Texas A&M 17

Garrett Shearman: UGAWire.com- Georgia 27, Texas A&M 16

Odds via BetMGM. Access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 5 p.m.

Want to get in on the action? Place your bet now at BetMGM.

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How Georgia football and TAMU match up: Statistical breakdown

See how Georgia football and Texas AM football matchup in our weekly head-to-head statistical breakdown ahead of Saturdays game.

The Texas A&M Aggies travel East this Saturday as the Georgia Bulldogs will host them in Sanford Stadium for what will be the Dawgs final SEC matchup of the regular season.

Georgia secured a ticket to its third straight SEC Championship Game this past Saturday with a 21-14 victory at Auburn.

The unranked Aggies (7-3, 4-2) are not a team to overlook.  Jimbo Fisher and company have lost games to previously ranked #1 Clemson, #1 Alabama and #8 Auburn. A&M has one of the toughest schedules in all of college football, still having #4 Georgia as well as #1 LSU the week after.

That will be a total of three #1 teams and four top five teams on the season.

That being said, let’s take a look at how these two teams matchup statistically this season.

On paper, the first matchup between the Bulldogs ands Aggies since TAMU joined the SEC in 2012 looks to be a Georgia win. But, hey, we said the same thing before South Carolina.

Here’s a look at how the two SEC programs match up statistically.

OFFENSE

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