The 2009 Bowl Season continues tonight and the pros at FiveStarPick.com have been working overtime to analyze tonight’s Independence Bowl between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Georgia Bulldogs.  Las Vegas Sportsbooks list Georgia as 6.5-point favorites with a total of 66.5.

Texas A&M (6-6 straight up, 6-5 against the spread) has Quarterback Jerrod Johnson (3,672 total yards, 36 total TDs) who’s running the top ranked offense in the Big 12 and fifth ranked team nationally in total yards (465). Johnson’s offense has averaged 33.9 points per game this year and he was picked just six times in 12 games.

So why are the Aggies just 6-6 this season?  Bad defense!  The Aggies gave up 431 YPG and 32.7 PPG, which ranked dead-last in the Big 12. The Aggies gave up 30-plus points in eight of their 12 games, twice allowing over 40-points and twice giving up 60 (Kansas State and Oklahoma).  The Aggies do boast the nation’s sack leader in junior Von Miller (17 sacks).

Georgia’s (7-5 SU, 4-7 ATS) quarterback Joe Cox (2.426 yards, 22 TDs) isn’t Matthew Stafford, but he has helped Georgia close the year with 38, 31, 27 and 30 points in its final four games.  Georgia’s running game was led by freshman Washaun Ealey (637 yards) and sophomore Caleb King (534 yards, 5 TDs). The wide receiver corps was lead by A.J. Green (47 catches, 6 TDs). Green missed three of Georgia’s last four games this year with a shoulder injury, but is expected to play tonight.

The Dawgs also have have major issues on defense. Georgia’s defense allowed 26.4 PPG this year, which ranked 10th in the SEC and 70th in the nation. Georgia gave up 34 points or more in five games this year, three times giving up 40-plus.  Head coach Mark Richt was pissed and let go of his defensive coordinator and two other staffers after the season.  What’s interesting is that Richt said he’ll be personally creating the defensive schemes against the Aggies. Remember, Richt is a former quarterback and offensive coordinator. This might not be good. Georgia has one of the nation’s worst turnover margins (-17) in 12 games. Only Miami-Ohio (-24) was worse nationally.

National coverage of this game starts at 5:00 p.m. EST on ESPN2 under clear skies and temperatures in the mid-forties.

If you are wondering who will cover the spread in the Independence Bowl, try FiveStarPick.com tonight and eliminate the guesswork. For only $19.99 you can test us out and see if our talent for picking college and pro football winners exceeds your expectations.  We are the only sports handicapping service in the business who documents wins and losses and displays them on our homepage for all to witness.  It’s because we have nothing to hide…we just win games against the spread.  Join our family today and start your winning streak tonight.

Rick Riley – FiveStarPick.com