Texas A&M's run defense held up relatively well from a statistical standpoint last weekend against Appalachian State as they gave up just 3.5 yards per rush and that included a 48 yard run late when the Aggies' defense was worn out. However, they didn't make many plays on the Mountaineers' side of the line of scrimmage and allowed them to convert too many third and short or medium opportunities to extend drives. The second effort on the part of the Mountaineers' backs allowed them to generate too many yards after contact (3.14 yards per carry per pro Football Focus).
A&M is playing a front where they really squeeze down to protect the backers and so it's up to the front four to hold ground and make stops at the line of scrimmage. When they don't hold their ground, guys like
Edgerrin Cooper have to sort through too much trash (his average depth of tackle per PFF was 8.8 yards last week).
Too often, the Aggies' defensive front represented inexperience versus an experienced offensive line which was confident and physical. A&M really wants its down four to tie up blockers and guys like nose
Albert Regis and end
Tunmise Adeleye (nine stops and 1.5 yards average depth of tackle between them) are built for that from a physical standpoint. The remainder of the group...including some highly rated prospects coming out of high school...didn't stay as low and so weren't able to hold ground or blow things up. As
Jimbo Fisher indicated in his press conference, they've got to be better technically...and they should improve as they get more reps.
Miami's offensive front is much bigger than that of the Mountaineers (average of around 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds per man) but they're better known for their pass protection. They've got good feet and use more man blocking principles as the Hurricanes went to more of a pro style offense in the off season under new coordinator
Josh Gattis. In addition, they use 12 personnel about 50% of the time and want to be a physical group (but don't always get there). Finally, they tend to allow penetration when they don't execute the reach and down blocks that are part of a gap or man system. It's unlikely that the Canes are going to be able to push the Aggies around but A&M's style and personnel means that they're not necessarily going to put Miami behind the sticks either.
Henry Parrish is the primary down to down back for the Canes and he's more quick than fast with good balance. A&M backers and safeties have to be able to shoot gaps at least part of the time to create negative plays and the defensive line has to be able to set that up.
Overall, the Aggies should be able to control Miami's run game and create favorable down and distance situations. That might mean that the Canes will have to use their play action game to move the ball through the air, especially on early downs, and use it to offset a running game that's probably going to have issues versus A&M.
