Looking To Aggies against Arkansas

Here comes the meat of the schedule for the Aggies. After dominating a tough game against Arizona State, Texas A&M played Ball State and Nevada, working on technique and system, and successfully integrated some players who had not started the year either for injury or suspension.

Overall, we saw improvement at the linebacker and running game efforts. We also saw a few issues at cornerback emerge. But overall, this team is further along than any thought they might be, mostly because the defense is miles beyond what most would even admit hoping for. But also, the establishment of a running game has to be encouraging.

Further, we saw the continued success of Christian Kirk and Josh Reynolds, as well as more use of other wide receivers like Noil, RSJ, etc. I think most Aggies would feel more comfortable if the team would have developed more plays over the middle and vertically, but that is likely just the coaches holding cards close to the vest and focusing on getting an effective running game.

Oh and the special teams units have been spectacular. Kirk and Noil are good for a big return at least once a game. Kaser flips the field almost every time he kicks and Bertolet has been spot on for all the short and mid-range kicks he has needed to make. The only really open question on special teams is whether Bertolet can hit something from moderate to long distance.

On top of that, the team worked in a number of 2s and 3s to get them experience and see who can do what. Granted, they did not perform well at times, but with the 1As and 1Bs playing so well, this should not be a huge concern.

The concern, though, is pass blocking. The Aggies have given up a good bit of sacks - not good.

Looking at Arkansas, though, they are a dumpster fire, having lost two in a row to the Toledo Rockets and Texas Tech - at home. The team some predicted as a dark horse in the SEC - not the SEC West, but the SEC - looked in some ways like they had completely lost their way.

Upon closer examination, though... appearances are deceiving.

In the Toledo game, Alex Collins was coming off a short week due to an illness and the team could not make the Red Zone plays they needed to for the win. Against Tech, they were in the game the whole way - almost always within a touchdown or tied - until late. Granted, Tech is not the best defensive team, but they are much improved with a new defensive coordinator that had them tackling in space, etc. (sound familiar?).

Specifically, for the vast majority of the drives, they were able to run the ball for more than 3 yards a carry - often 5-7 yards or more - and also make the short and mid range throws needed to keep the chains moving.

In my opinion, as good as the Aggies are on defense, they are still going to have to play really well to stop Arkansas' offense, and when TAMU has the ball, they cannot afford mistakes.

This is going to be a bar fight - especially considering how desperate Arkansas will be to salvage their season - and this young Aggie team had better be ready for it.