West Virginia has an underrated defense. Texas A&M simply has a terrible defense. The Mountaineers held Baylor to a season-low 318 yards. The Aggies have given up an average of 553 yards in their last three games and been outrushed by 531 yards during their past two games. No SEC team surrendered more yards than the Aggies.

Texas A&M has only beaten one opponent with a winning record and is in bad form losing five of its last seven. The Aggies are 1-7 ATS in their last eight games and already have made a change at defensive coordinator.

Yet the line has come down because West Virginia is going with a backup quarterback, Skyler Howard. The Mountaineers have a balanced attack with a good running back and several outstanding receivers. Howard is much improved and received some needed experience completing 57.1 percent for 483 yards and five touchdowns.

Howard threw three touchdowns in his first start in the Mountaineers' last game, a 37-24 road win against Iowa State. Howard also gives the Mountaineers a running threat at quarterback something they didn't have before with Clint Trickett. West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen is a top offensive mind.

The Aggies are an SEC team, which must be respected, but they are 2-11 ATS in their last 13 at neutral sites and West Virginia played an extremely difficult schedule so the Mountaineers are battled tested.