The Texas A&M pass defense could not have gotten a whole lot better last season. Ranked second in the SEC in passing yards per game allowed (166.3), only Georgia (156.5) did better defending the pass.

There could be several explanations for that, one being that the Aggies were awful against the run and most teams chose to move the football with that method, choosing it over the pass. The Aggies were eighth in the SEC in total defense, allowing more than 200 yards per game on the ground.

Pass-rush

Another big reason for the Aggies’ success against the pass was its pass rush. From the 2015 season opener, where the Aggies recorded nine sacks in a 38-17 victory over Arizona State, rushing the passer was a definite strength.

The Aggies recorded a minimum of four sacks in four separate games. Only once did they not get to the opposing quarterback over the course of a game: a 26-10 loss to Auburn. Over the course of the 2015 season, the Aggies piled up 28 QB hurries and broke up 47 pass attempts.

Sack artist

Any time you have the SEC’s leading sack artist, it can only help in defending the pass. Myles Garrett turned in 12.5 sacks to lead the conference. He also paced the league with 19.5 tackles for loss.

One of the most feared defensive ends in the country was not alone in his relentless pursuit of opposing quarterbacks. The opposite end of the line in the Aggies’ 4-3 defense is yet another respected pass-rusher. Daeshon Hall recorded 7.0 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss, both among the top 10 in the conference.

The combination of those two disruptors up front and an ever-improving corps of linebackers proved to be a successful formula in keeping the opposition from moving the ball through the air with any consistency.

Ball in the air

Texas A&M had just 11 interceptions, which was tied for ninth in the SEC. Still, the Aggies came up with at least one interception in eight games last season, and in two games they were able to pick off multiple passes. In a 23-3 loss to Ole Miss, Texas A&M defenders intercepted three passes, and the following week got two more from South Carolina, returning one for a touchdown. It was one of two opposing passes the Aggies returned for a score.

In just one game all year (Auburn) did the Aggies fail to break up a pass. They knocked down eight passes in a 30-17 victory over Mississippi State and seven more in a 56-23 victory over Ball State.

Pickoff artist

Sophomore DB Donovan Wilson had five of the team’s 11 picks, returning one for a touchdown. He was the only player outside of De’Vante Harris (two) with more than one pick. Four other players had one interception apiece.

Greatest concern

The Aggies are solid at defensive end and in the secondary. The corps of linebackers has some catching up to do as a unit, but the talent is there to do so. A year of experience should help in that endeavor. If they can keep everyone healthy, this could be one of the better defenses against the pass again in 2016.

One stat that must change

The Aggies were not great in takeaways last season. Only three teams in the SEC had fewer interceptions. If they are able to produce more turnovers in that way, it could be a special season in College Station.

Better/worse in 2016?

Statistically, the Aggies were about as good as a team could get against the pass last season. Strangely enough, they could actually be better in 2016. With a great deal of talent returning and a year of experience under DC John Chavis, the Aggies could actually improve on what they were able to accomplish a year ago. If that should happen and they get better-than-average production from the offense, the Aggies could compete in the highly competitive SEC West.