Red Zone Watch: Texas A&M offense nearly automatic

Unfortunately, ESPN hasn’t rolled out an SEC version of NFL RedZone for the conference’s new network. It would fit well on the alternate channel and would’ve rocked this season. But we’ll keep track of red zone stats for you each week.

Comparing the teams by red zone scoring percentage on offense and defense through three weeks, LSU and Texas A&M are the only conference programs to rate in the top five in both categories.

Vanderbilt’s red zone offense is the worst in the SEC, while Texas A&M (offense) and Ole Miss (defense) may have the most impressive red zone units in the conference.

OFFENSIVE RED ZONE STATISTICS

Texas A&M and Alabama are tied for the SEC lead with 19 red zone possessions. The Aggies, though, have converted 16 of those into touchdowns to Alabama’s 12. A&M also has kicked two field goals.

And again, that one elusive possession ended with a first-and-goal at the South Carolina 3-yard line after Texas A&M drained the final 10:05 of the fourth quarter, moving 78 yards in 17 plays.

Two offenses have scored every red zone trip — Auburn and South Carolina. The Tigers have scored 10 touchdowns on 11 red zone possessions, or 90.9 percent of the time, better than second-place A&M.

Florida has settled for a field goal on six of its 14 red zone possessions, most in the conference.

Despite averaging 43.7 points per game, Mississippi State has made just 13 red zone trips in three games, tied for sixth in the conference. The SEC West Bulldogs have come up empty four different times inside the 20. One of the possessions, this weekend against South Alabama, ended inside the red zone when the clock ran out in the fourth quarter. But State also has a fumble, an interception and a turnover on downs inside the opponent’s 20.

Vanderbilt, meanwhile, is trending upward. The Commodores made three red zone trips against UMass and scored touchdowns on all three. Vandy still is last by far in red zone scoring percentage. Derek Mason’s team is the only program with single-digit red zone trips. But the ‘Dores have a better red zone touchdown percentage than Kentucky.

DEFENSIVE RED ZONE STATISTICS

The Mississippi schools have allowed a combined three red zone touchdowns in 15 possessions.

Only three schools have allowed double-digit red zone trips: South Carolina (19), Vanderbilt (17) and Kentucky (10).

The Gamecocks have allowed 12 red zone touchdowns. You’d imagine a bit of a chicken vs. egg conundrum, since the Gamecocks have faced a brutal schedule (No. 6 Texas A&M, Virginia Tech slayer East Carolina, No. 13 Georgia). Based on offensive scoring efficiency, A&M is second in the country, but Georgia (No. 32) and East Carolina (No. 51) aren’t as good as you may expect.

Arkansas has given up a league-worst 88.9 percent red zone touchdown percentage.

Florida hasn’t allowed a red zone touchdown in two games. Alabama has given up points on all six opponent trips to the red zone, but the Tide defense allowed just one touchdown, the same number as Mississippi State.