John Chavis, in his second season as defensive coordinator at Texas A&M, is probably spending a great deal of time comparing notes with Aggies’ new offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone.

And while the camaraderie may help team chemistry in the long run, it’s Mazzone’s knowledge of the UCLA offense that has his interest.

Mazzone was the offensive coordinator for the Bruins over the last four seasons before coming to College Station, and the Aggies kick off the 2016 season on Saturday against UCLA at Kyle Field in a 2:30 p.m. CT showdown.

Granted, the Bruins have a new style of offense with a new offensive coordinator, but Mazzone knows the strengths and weaknesses of Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen. The freshman sensation threw for 3,668 yards and 23 touchdowns last season, and slowing him down on Saturday is paramount if the Aggies hope to begin the 2016 season on the right foot.

With defensive ends like Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall, Chavis will certainly turn the standout bookends loose on the Bruins. Their ability to pressure Rosen, it would seem, would be first and foremost on the mind of Chavis in keeping Rosen and the Bruins from going up and down Kyle Field on Saturday.

Garrett led the SEC last season with 12.5 sacks, while Hall registered 7 more. As a team, the Aggies compiled 34 sacks, which tied for third-most in the SEC behind only Alabama (52) and Florida (40).

But Garrett and Hall won’t have a clear path to the quarterback. UCLA led the Pac-12 last season in fewest sacks allowed with 14. The Bruins have a pair of Goliaths at the tackle position. On the left side is Conor McDermott, a converted tight end who is among the top prospects at his position. On the right side is Kolton Miller, not as experienced as McDermott but every bit as imposing.

Nevertheless, Garrett and Hall put up those numbers against some of the SEC’s best linemen as well, and Rosen isn’t the most mobile of quarterbacks. Plus, the Bruins’ pro-style offense makes Rosen an easier target to seek, so expect Chavis to utilize some stunts with Garrett and Hall to put them in motion against other members of the Bruins’ front.

That battle in the trenches, at least on paper, could be the most intriguing of the afternoon and certainly the most critical one in Chavis’ scheme to limit a UCLA offense that produced an average of 466 yards per game last season.

If Garrett and Hall can get a consistent push, it will make things very difficult for Rosen, who is throwing to a relatively new group of receivers. There’s not a lot of experience in the bunch.

Darren Andrews is the most productive returning receiver with 43 catches for 443 yards and a touchdown last season. At just 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, he may have difficulties freeing himself from a talented Aggies secondary. Andrews is the only returning Bruins receiver with more than 11 catches in 2015.

That’s where the running game comes in. If the Bruins can continue Texas A&M’s woes at stopping the run, it will soften up that pass rush and give Rosen more time in the pocket to search out a receiver.

That’s the cat and mouse game that will be so intriguing when the Aggies kick off the 2016 season against a team the media picks to win its division.