Texas A&M thread

I just keep coming back to their defense.

36th in yards per play allowed.
42nd in 10+ yard plays allowed.
87th in 20+ yard plays allowed.
97th in 30+ yard plays allowed.
69th in yards per carry allowed.
54th in scoring defense.

And this is while facing BUNS **** near every week.

Lagway, Nussmeier, Shapen, Arch, Mizzou's backup, Jackson Arnold, Two G5 teams.

I really think we can get this defense. It's strength on strength. The best thing they do is rush the passer. The best thing we do is pass protect. We're not great at running the ball, but they can't stop the run. Who wins there? They were 122nd in the country in 30+ yard runs allowed. Can the infusion of Pringle jump-start this run game? If we can hit a couple big runs it'd be huge to open up the passing game. I can't wait to see how our offense operates on the road against these dudes. Elko is a very good coach, and of course they have good athletes. But they gave up 40 twice this year. 25 to a terrible LSU offense. 30 to a terrible USCe offense. 27 to a terrible Texas offense. We can get these dudes.
I was surprised at their defense, expected Elko to have them at a high level
 
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Their DL excels at pass rushing. We are the best OL they will face and unlike our DL, they are suspect at run defense. We stay discipline, very little to none pre-snap penalties, will minimize their pass rushing.

Think our DBs and and DL will be able to do their jobs. O’Connor and OJ are quick/fast enough to hang with their smaller WRs. Damari and Lucas can get a physical with them since they r bigger. I’m interested to see how our LBs perform. That’s the weak link on the team.
"O’Connor and OJ are quick/fast enough to hang with their smaller WRs."

These are the matchups I'm most concerned about. Chris Bell, who is bigger for sure but similarly shifty and quick iirc, ate our lunch. Keionte and Fitzgerald are probably better suited to cover these dudes.
 
I was surprised at their defense, expected Elko to have them at a high level

#1 in the entire country in sacks per game. I know you're not saying this, but I don't want people to think I believe they're a sieve. But this is not an elite defensive unit. I've been saying this literally the entire season, and we didn't twice and lost, but I expect 30 on these dudes. This is not the Ohio State defense. This is SMU and Pitt range. It's not even the Louisville defense. There was zero excuse to not score 30 on Louisville or SMU...the reason we didn't is because we completely self-destructed. Louisville with turnovers, SMU with one massive turnover in regulation but SEVEN offensive penalties in the first half.

These guys don't force a lot of turnovers. Just play clean football and we should score 30. And if we score 30, we're going to beat anyone we play because, as good as Reed and their offense is, I'll take my chances that nobody is putting 30+ up on us. If they do, I'll tip my cap but it should be a one-score game at the end. I just don't see a single team running us off the field right now, if the offense can do its job.

Shannon, Carson, Mali, OL....just give me 30 and I'll take my chances. We did average 33 a game this year....
 
UL and SMU WR went OFF on us, Tamu has TWO of them and they are both explosive type game breakers in an offense that wants to get them the ball down field
Chris Bell went off, not bc our CBs can’t cover. With that being said I watched that game, and there were 2 plays that stood out to me. Both of them resulted in Chris Bell scoring a td and were his longest plays. He shouldn’t have scored on those plays and it was really bad effort by the LBs on one play and Lucas on the other.

SMU was busted coverage galore. The safeties had a bad game not the CBs. Our CBs can guard just fine.
 
"O’Connor and OJ are quick/fast enough to hang with their smaller WRs."

These are the matchups I'm most concerned about. Chris Bell, who is bigger for sure but similarly shifty and quick iirc, ate our lunch. Keionte and Fitzgerald are probably better suited to cover these dudes.

true, but we didn´t swarm to the ball and we played with zero energy that game. it was an outlier for sure.
 
#1 in the entire country in sacks per game. I know you're not saying this, but I don't want people to think I believe they're a sieve. But this is not an elite defensive unit. I've been saying this literally the entire season, and we didn't twice and lost, but I expect 30 on these dudes. This is not the Ohio State defense. This is SMU and Pitt range. It's not even the Louisville defense. There was zero excuse to not score 30 on Louisville or SMU...the reason we didn't is because we completely self-destructed. Louisville with turnovers, SMU with one massive turnover in regulation but SEVEN offensive penalties in the first half.

These guys don't force a lot of turnovers. Just play clean football and we should score 30. And if we score 30, we're going to beat anyone we play because, as good as Reed and their offense is, I'll take my chances that nobody is putting 30+ up on us. If they do, I'll tip my cap but it should be a one-score game at the end. I just don't see a single team running us off the field right now, if the offense can do its job.

Shannon, Carson, Mali, OL....just give me 30 and I'll take my chances. We did average 33 a game this year....
Oh believe me I am aware, have mentioned in other post they are #1 in sacks and #1 in 3rd down defense in country (Third down defense is lowest since 2016 mich team, best since then incredible). Listening to a broadcast, they were told in laughing matter that 3rd down defense is all that matters.. Elko is known for his packages and does some crazy blitzes that can destroy a gameplan, even if you slide protections and such, his disguises are some of best in nation.. But other than that they dont necissarily overwhelm you, not extreme 5 star talents, see a lot of 3 star transfer types, just thought with being soo highly ranked and type of coach it was explosive offense carrying the team..

They faced two top 40 passing attacks, and ND/Arky both dropped 40+, though Taylen used legs alot too.. With Common opponent, Lagway got them for 245 and 2 TDs, he had 61 yards against us. Faced Jackson Arnold, Shapen, Lagway, Nussmeier, Backup mizzou qb Zollers, Sellers, and a couple g5 guys..


As we knew Concepcion is a true difference maker, even in special teams he has changed games for them.
 
Oh believe me I am aware, have mentioned in other post they are #1 in sacks and #1 in 3rd down defense in country (Third down defense is lowest since 2016 mich team, best since then incredible). Listening to a broadcast, they were told in laughing matter that 3rd down defense is all that matters.. Elko is known for his packages and does some crazy blitzes that can destroy a gameplan, even if you slide protections and such, his disguises are some of best in nation.. But other than that they dont necissarily overwhelm you, not extreme 5 star talents, see a lot of 3 star transfer types, just thought with being soo highly ranked and type of coach it was explosive offense carrying the team..

They faced two top 40 passing attacks, and ND/Arky both dropped 40+, though Taylen used legs alot too.. With Common opponent, Lagway got them for 245 and 2 TDs, he had 61 yards against us. Faced Jackson Arnold, Shapen, Lagway, Nussmeier, Backup mizzou qb Zollers, Sellers, and a couple g5 guys..


As we knew Concepcion is a true difference maker, even in special teams he has changed games for them.

WOW....I didn't even realize the 3rd down defense. 25% for the season, holy ****. That's insane.
 
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Chris Bell went off, not bc our CBs can’t cover. With that being said I watched that game, and there were 2 plays that stood out to me. Both of them resulted in Chris Bell scoring a td and were his longest plays. He shouldn’t have scored on those plays and it was really bad effort by the LBs on one play and Lucas on the other.

SMU was busted coverage galore. The safeties had a bad game not the CBs. Our CBs can guard just fine.

Its more how Hetherman decides to cover TWO FAST impact WR when we had trouble with one each time.. Bell went off, ran thru our defense with ease.. I would say Concepcion and Craver both are a problem after catch and can break same type of plays given the chance..

Hudson for SMU was covered mostly by our corners, he went off.. 11 catches for 136. Our corners have good coverage but in our losses we let top WR go off. Both can be true.. Tamu has TWO of those types..
 
Its more how Hetherman decides to cover TWO FAST impact WR when we had trouble with one each time.. Bell went off, ran thru our defense with ease.. I would say Concepcion and Craver both are a problem after catch and can break same type of plays given the chance..

Hudson for SMU was covered mostly by our corners, he went off.. 11 catches for 136. Our corners have good coverage but in our losses we let top WR go off. Both can be true.. Tamu has TWO of those types..
I would agree it will depend on how Heatherman decides to cover them. I think our CBs have the ability to keep up though.
 
I would agree it will depend on how Heatherman decides to cover them. I think our CBs have the ability to keep up though.
Also cant forget Ashton Bethel Roman, he actually has highest avg a catch at 23 yrds per and is a BURNER also.. Has verified speed.. Ran 21.17 in 200m which is converted to around 10.4 type speed in 100m
 
Very good team, well-balanced roster and very well-coached. Don't get lulled into comfort by some of their results down the stretch, they will be very ready. Here are a few keys I see. We can get by without one of two of them, but we have to do most of them.

- DBs need to play their best game passing off coverage, having awareness for where the ball is on busted plays, and sure up some of their angles in run support.

- DL needs to live up to every accolade they have received and win the LOS, and Lightfoot needs to introduce himself to the world. We need his length and speed off the edge.

- RB need to be on it in pass protection. Elko is very creative at blitz design and masking. I know some will have a meltdown, but Fletcher is the best here. He is also a good receiver, I expect a lot of #4.

- They are going to bracket Toney, similar to how IU did Jermeaih Smith. Somebody is going to need to step up and make them pay. Daniels and Marion obviously, but man, Josh Moore, if you want your name in peoples mouths heading into next season, this is the game.

- Their defense has given up some yardage on the ground. Be creative, aggressive and use pace and space to keep them moving. You slow this game down, you lose.

- They are a very good 3rd down defense. They are kind of YPP Manny Diaz obsessed with that stat, so you cannot start off drives -5 or -10 on pre-snap penalties. 2 and 5 needs to be your goal every series, not 1 and 15. Do the latter, you lose.

- Lastly, and MOST importantly, Carson Beck needs to have the game which has eluded him his whole career. He has won a lot of football games, but he hasn't WON his team a lot of football games. I hope he plays loose, bounces back from adversity and trusts his experience to make throws with anticipation instead of just a hair late.

- Dawson, empty the clip and talk Mario off a ledge is something goes bad, keep being aggressive and stretching their defense in all directions. You won't be able to live and die by Malachi this game.
 
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#1 in the entire country in sacks per game. I know you're not saying this, but I don't want people to think I believe they're a sieve. But this is not an elite defensive unit. I've been saying this literally the entire season, and we didn't twice and lost, but I expect 30 on these dudes. This is not the Ohio State defense. This is SMU and Pitt range. It's not even the Louisville defense. There was zero excuse to not score 30 on Louisville or SMU...the reason we didn't is because we completely self-destructed. Louisville with turnovers, SMU with one massive turnover in regulation but SEVEN offensive penalties in the first half.

These guys don't force a lot of turnovers. Just play clean football and we should score 30. And if we score 30, we're going to beat anyone we play because, as good as Reed and their offense is, I'll take my chances that nobody is putting 30+ up on us. If they do, I'll tip my cap but it should be a one-score game at the end. I just don't see a single team running us off the field right now, if the offense can do its job.

Shannon, Carson, Mali, OL....just give me 30 and I'll take my chances. We did average 33 a game this year....
On another post, I asked for 31+.

The more I watch TAMU's offense, the more I think we may need 35. If they play to their potential, they can put 28+ on us. Of course, I hope we come up with something for all their motion and their explosive WRs AND that Reed shows up erratic/rattled, but there's also the other possibility.
 
This dude is a straight up problem.
Best player on their team. I'd get a body on him every single play. He's got Bain/Messi aresnal but is more twitchy and athletic. Hes beaten everyone too.
Not just racking up sacks vs bad team.

 
This dude is a straight up problem.
Best player on their team. I'd get a body on him every single play. He's got Bain/Messi aresnal but is more twitchy and athletic. Hes beaten everyone too.
Not just racking up sacks vs bad team.


Teams Cashius Howell had a sack against and their season PFF pass block rank in FBS

Missouri 9
Florida 39
LSU 58
Auburn 74
Mississippi State 76
South Carolina 90
Utah State 96

In terms of sack percentage allowed

Florida 52
LSU 72
Missouri 109
Utah State 129
Mississippi State 131
Auburn 133
South Carolina 134

Yeah. Real juggernaut olines he was crushing.
 
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