Game Grades - Aggies at Carolina

Quick hits on various key positions and situations for both schools.

For South Carolina, let's start with some general comments.

Overall, they were unprepared. Physically, mentally, systemically. They were blown off the ball on both lines, and out coached everywhere. Really, one team looked like they were playing their first game of the year, and the other looked like they were playing their fifth. It was methodical.

From my cheap seat, I think Carolina is better than what they showed last night by a pretty good clip. Play that same game in six weeks, and I think it is a much better game, certainly within a touchdown, and if Davis is healthy, one Carolina might win.

And let's note that the Aggies got quite a few breaks. Carolina was changing defenses to a 3-4, which was not ready for prime time against anyone, let alone the way the Aggies attack on offense. The injury to Davis really hurt them, especially in the ways that they could have slowed the game to where it could have stayed competitive. And as you will see in a moment, they were in awful shape mentally and physically.

Then again, both teams knew the date of the game and the opponent. Both teams had the same amount of time to prepare, so I am not saying it is an excuse - just a practical reality when evaluating how successful A&M was.

I am not going to touch on all the positions, just a few key ones for Carolina.

Strength coach: F. That was a team in terrible shape to start the season.

Defensive coordinator: F. Zero clue how to try to deal with what the Aggies brought to the table.

Scouting: F. Across the board, unprepared for how the Aggies played. Did they not get tape of the Chic-Fil-A Bowl?

Offensive coordinator: D. This isn't an F because they did some things that put pressure on the Aggie defense, especially passing. They tried to deal with the loss of Davis best they could. With Davis healthy, in better overall shape and actual scouting and game planning, this could have been a much closer game.

Head Ball Coach: F. Sorry, Steve, but this is at your feet. Buck stops at your desk, especially for overall preparation and fitness. It wasn't like one area of the team was off - all of them were. You know better than to come into a conference game unprepared, don't you?

For the Aggies, let's start with last year's weaknesses.

Defensive Line: A. What a huge difference depth and talent can make, huh? Across the board, they did the job the team needed and really took Carolina completely out of their game. I actually hesitate to go into too much detail here because I am not sure I could contain my excitement at the potential this group has.

Linebackers: B+. Good but not great yet. They didn't need to be, but we weren't exactly expecting them to become the best in the SEC overnight, did we? The loss of Hilliard is going to hurt, but Mastrogiovanni was very solid and kept things organized. They made the plays they needed to make.

Defensive backs: C. In a lot of ways, this is where we saw the most issues for the team, but what I find exciting is they are very much fixable issues. Everett was trying to help Matthews out too much and it hurt his performance, but hopefully that is addressed. Davis survived. Boy what a revelation Armani Watts was! I think the communication, organization and penalties will be addressed by the time this unit needs to play a top team again, so while this is a low grade, it is also where the best improvement will be.

Special Teams: A. Across the board, these were really really really good. They didn't have that huge touchdown/signature play, but they did everything really well. The punts were good, as was the coverage. Getting the onsides kick was massive. The kickoffs were well taken and well covered too. Lambo was automatic. Noil's one really strong return was nullified by an unnecessary block in the back, but other than that, it was all positives from this group. 

Quarterback: A+. Only real blemish was that chuck that had everyone screaming, "NOOOO!" Not very smart, very very dangerous. It worked out, but that was a bad risk to take. Everything else was pure gold. If I were a betting man, I would be tempted to see what the odds are on Hill setting the SEC single game record for yards in a match. If he can do that to South Carolina...

Running Backs: A. Only thing keeping this from being an A+ is they didn't break a big one - but that isn't entirely fair because they didn't get a lot of opportunities. When they did have opportunities, all three backs were money. My favorite moment of the game was the option by Carson to make it 31-14 - what a punch to the gut, and he made it look easy.

TE: Inc. Would have been an "A" if Clear had been healthy, but just can't give a full grade on something that lasts a quarter. Get well, big man. It was obvious you can be a massive part of a very well oiled machine.

OL: A+. Road graders and impenetrable walls, depending on the play. For the first game of the year, they played like a unit that had played together all season, much like the team as a whole. But OL's tend to get better as they play together. The idea of THIS line improving on that performance should worry every defensive coach the Aggies face.

Snyder: B. Huge improvement overall, and while there were a few plays that could have been called better, under the circumstances it was a really solid job. What is scary is again, the issues from last night are mostly fixable with a few technique changes for the DBs on the PIs, and some learning in terms of how to handle certain passing plays.  I concede this MIGHT be a bit hard on him, but at the end of the day, there were issues and it was on his side of the ball.

Black Death (Larry Jackson): A+. Goodness gracious, but did the Aggies look so much better physically than Carolina? It really looked like a game at Kyle against a team from the north not ready for the heat. What a difference.

Spavital: A+. I really really really hope that Sumlin has his next young offensive playmaker lined up either on staff or in his roladex because what Spav did on Thursday was magical. That was play-calling at its very best, and Carolina was totally out of their depth.

Sumlin: A+. Man, can this guy prepare a large organization to play well on the road or what? Does he always know the right thing to say, whether to the media or his players? He is the hitting all his cues, making all the right moves. Sick.

Overall: A. Some things to improve on, across the board. But I think it is safe to say this team is the best team Sumlin has had in his three years, and that is saying something. The vast majority of the issues are fixable with work in the film room, in practice and in games. Where is the ceiling for this group? Not sure, but they are very well prepared as is and they have clear areas where they can improve - and have the schedule to do it.

If this group does as Sumlin has led them to do, that work will get done and the Aggies have put themselves back into that top group in the SEC West with Alabama, Auburn and LSU. Exciting is such a pale word to use at a time like this, no?