Why Nevada Is Important To The Aggie Future

So the Aggies play the Nevada Wolfpack on Saturday morning, and we have previously discussed continued improvement is a reasonable expectation, and frankly, most units are on pace if not well ahead of preseason expectations. The one units that really have us concerned are the offensive line, linebackers and cornerbacks. The cornerbacks are what they are, but the linebackers are getting a lot of depth back this week that need to integrate into the team, and the offensive line has enough raw talent to improve their play.

Let's take a closer look, though, at why we have been worried about how this team is shaping up.

Arkansas. The Arkansas Razorbacks are the first SEC challenge that our Aggies will face. Following the week after that will be Mississippi State - and a State team that is probably desperate for a win after having already lost to LSU and having gone to Auburn the week the Ags play Arky.

Both of those are solid programs that can run the ball when they choose to, and they both have defenses that can get to the quarterback. Add in Alabama following those two games, and you have three key SEC games where defending the running game and being effective on running the ball will be key to success.

So this Nevada game is the last real chance to see how good the linebackers can be, and how much improvement the offensive line can make before the real tests coming in the following weeks.

Let's flip the look to the opponents for a moment, though.

Arkansas started the season with a big win against UTEP. As the team was a monster late last season, with a powerful running game and strong defense, the fact that they were passing well against a poor team raised eyebrows.

But then they laid an egg against Toledo. They stayed with a passing game that did well 20 to 20, but could not score in the red zone and ended up losing the game. Part of this is due to the loss of one of their 1,000 yard running backs from last year, and part of this was the other was getting over his own health issues late last week. Maybe the lack of focus on the running game was simply because they didn't have either of their guys full speed and that could change in a hurry.

The Razorbacks play Texas Tech in Arkansas on Saturday. Improved from last year? Mmmmm.... Not sure. But a pissed off Razorback side, in their house? With Alex Collins probably at full speed? It probably won't be the pasting it was last year, when a tired and poor Tech defense just got run over, but I can't in good conscience say that I think Tech has any real chance.

That being said, it will be an important game to watch to see two things - one, how well can they get back to running the ball, and yet, two, how effective can they be passing the ball. If they can figure some things out, and the defense can remain solid (remember, Toledo only scored 16 last week), the Razorbacks will still be a huge test for the Aggies on the 26th.

As for Mississippi State, they play a cupcake this week, so really, the game to watch for them is their game on The Plains against War Eagle on the 26th.