By The Numbers: Cotton Bowl Classic
Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel will take his high-scoring A&M offense to Dallas to take on another offensive juggernaut, Oklahoma.
Texas A&M and Oklahoma will bring their high-powered offenses to Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, to contend the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic.
Last week Betting Sports.com took a first look at the Cotton Bowl Classic, which takes place on Jan. 4. This week we delve into the numbers and check out how the two sides match up.
Texas A&M: Offense
Led by Heisman award-winner, Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M put some gaudy numbers up on the scoreboard over the course of the season.
The Aggies averaged 44.8 points per game, which was bettered by only two schools (Louisiana Tech, Oregon) in the whole country.
The scoring bombardment was created by one of the better balanced sides the FBS saw this season. The Aggies threw for 317.3 yards per game (14th amongst Division I schools) and ran for 235.1 yards per game (13th).
Manziel, the principle orchestrator of the offense, accounted for a huge chunk of both passing and rushing yards, averaging 284.9 through the air and 98.4 on the ground to lead the side in both categories.
The offense scored a total of 26 passing touchdowns and 42 rushing touchdowns over the course of 12 games whilst committing just nine interceptions and 11 lost fumbles.
Leaders: Passing Johnny Manziel (3,419 yards) Rushing Johnny Manziel (1,181 yards) Receiving Mike Evans (1,022 yards)
Texas A&M: Defense
With Manziel and the offense stepping on the throat of opponents, the A&M defense managed to hold teams to 22.5 points per game (29th).
With teams playing catch up, the Aggies gave up an inflated 248.4 passing yards per game (81st) but ranked 39th against the rush (140.9 YPG).
The team collected 11 interceptions on the season, two of which were returned for touchdowns. Only one of 10 forced fumbles was recovered, but it went for a touchdown.
Leaders: Tackles Damontre Moore (54 solo, 26 assisted, 80 total) Sacks Damontre Moore (12.5) Interceptions Steven Terrell/Deshazor Everett (2 each)
Oklahoma: Offense
Oklahoma’s 63-21 win over Red River rivals Texas was an indication of how potent the Sooners’ offense could be.
On the season, Bob Stoops’ side averaged 40.3 points per game (13th). 59 total touchdowns were split almost down the middle, with 30 coming on the ground and 29 through the air.
Oklahoma’s passing game was its strength, accounting for 341.3 yards per contest, good enough for fifth in the nation. The Sooner rushing game accounted for 164.6 yards per game (61st).
The Sooners lost nine fumbles and threw 10 interceptions.
Leaders: Passing Landry Jones (3,989 yards) Rushing Damien Williams (905 yards) Receiving Kenny Stills (892 yards)
Oklahoma: Defense
The Sooners pass defense conceded just 197.7 yards per game (25th) but opponents managed to rush for 181.1 yards per game (83rd), giving a bit of a lopsided view on the defensive side of the football.
Giving up 24.2 points per game had Oklahoma ranked 43rd in the nation, but only 1.9 points behind A&M.
The team defense recorded 12 interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Five forced fumbles resulted in one recovery. The Sooner defense may need to rely on the offense come Jan. 4.
Leaders: Tackles Tony Jefferson (79 solo, 34 assisted, 113 total) Sacks Chuka Ndulue (5) Interceptions Javon Harris (5)
Advantage…?
A&M will ride into Cowboys Stadium on a wave of jubilation after Johnny Manziel’s Heisman nod last Saturday. That jubilation will be accompanied by confidence, at least on the offensive side of the ball.
The Aggies were practically unstoppable offensively during the season. Only three sides (Florida, LSU, Alabama) limited the side to less than 30 points in a game, and those are some defensive juggernauts. Is Oklahoma that good on defense? No.
Oklahoma was no slouch offensively either, so this game has huge potential to be a shootout – and who would complain about that? Both sides are effective to a similar degree defensively, with A&M having a minor advantage.
Overall, Texas A&M may have the advantage. Oddmakers seem to think so, with the Aggies opening as 4.5-point favorites, a spread that has not moved since it opened.
Stay tuned to BettingSports.com for more on the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic, ahead of kickoff on Jan. 4
