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Following word that Texas A&M star quarterback Johnny Manziel may be suspended, Texas A&M odds of winning the 2014 BCS Championship have been reduced to 20-1.
Prior to Wednesday August 7, the Aggies were listed across the board at 13/2 odds, having the second shortest odds after Alabama and Ohio State. Even with the Manziel controversy, some online sportsbooks were still offering Texas A&M at 12/1 odds. By far, Sportsbook had the best odds and this is a great time to buy.
Sure if Manziel gets suspended, the Aggies don’t stand a shot in Hell of winning the BCS Championship this season. But there is no guarantee he will be suspended, and at 20-1 odds, Texas A&M is an absolute steal.
ESPN.com first reported Monday that Manziel allegedly profited off of school merchandise via autograph signings.
An East Coast autograph broker told ESPN that Manziel was paid $7,500 for signing approximately 300 mini- and full-sized helmets on Jan. 11-12 while attending a Walter Camp Football Foundation event. There were cell phones played for ESPN showing Manziel signing the white Texas A&M helmets and footballs. The cell phone videos do not show Manziel accepting any monies however.
Even if the Texas A&M standout is found to have engaged in such activity, there is no guarantee Manziel’s punishment will be severe enough to harm the Aggies season. Some experts believe he will only miss the first two games if found to be in violation of NCAA policy. Texas A&M won’t need Manziel for those first two games against Rice and Sam Houston State.
They will need him against Alabama though.
Then again they can still end up losing to the Crimson Tide and win all their other games, making a BCS Championship appearance still possible.
So, yes, at 20-1 odds, we like those chances. You’ll be hard pressed to ever see a number remotely close to this for a school that has a legitimate shot of winning the BCS title.
- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com
