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The Aggies open the 2019 season tonight against a Texas State team they should handle easily at Kyle Field. It’s the perfect scenario to break in a new set of linebackers and welcome in a new featured back.
A 33 or 34-point favorite over a Bobcats team led by former Texas A&M OC Jake Spavital, the Aggies should cruise in its warmup to a date at Clemson next week. Here are 5 things I want to see tonight from Texas A&M.
1. Kellen Mond shine early, then rest
It would be very nice to see Mond have an incredible first half, get the Aggies out to a big lead, and then call it a night after 3 quarters — or before. There are a couple of reasons for that. First, it would mean that not only is the game well in hand but it would also give the backup QBs some snaps.
Getting playing experience would be beneficial considering sophomore Connor Blumrick, or freshmen James Foster and Zach Calzada have none. Allowing all 3 to play would be nice, but that probably won’t be possible. But having one play significant time tonight would help to ease the fears of an inexperienced backup behind Mond.
It would also figure that if the Aggies are comfortably ahead by halftime that the receiving corps has had a big impact. And that would be good news as well moving forward.
2. Cohesive LB play
The faster this talented group gels the better. I want to see Buddy Johnson become the beast in the middle that the coaching staff believes he can be. He needs to become the leader and build on his 5 tackles for loss last season.
I’d like to see Anthony Hines return to the form he displayed as a promising true freshman before a leg injury sidelined him for nearly all of the 2018 season. His 6 tackles for loss, including 3 sacks among 33 total tackles, were impressive numbers for a freshman. Tonight could be the start of a special season for Hines in his return.
3. Joshaun Corbin run with authority
A tough, strong running game has been the cornerstone of Jimbo Fisher’s offense. It’s Corbin’s time to take the reins and show that he can get the job done. I’d like to not only see Corbin excel and display the tools necessary to fill the position, but like Mond, do it in such a way that he is able to call it an early night and allow some of the other talented RBs behind him to play.
In addition to wanting Corbin to excel, it would behoove Fisher to employ some of the other talent at the position. I think we’d all like to see Jacob Kibodi, Cordarrian Richardson and Isaiah Spiller carry the ball tonight as well.
4. Secondary shut down Bobcats’ passing game
The Aggies have to be better against the pass this season and tonight would be an excellent time to begin that trend. A more experienced secondary must reduce the 253 passing yards allowed on average per game last season. Only Missouri (3,406) allowed more total passing yards than the Aggies (3,291).
That experienced group took a hit with the suspension of CB Debione Renfro. But it’s next man up, and Myles Jones and Charles Oliver must now step up if the Aggies hope to keep passing attacks under control tonight and moving forward.
5. Consistency from K Seth Small
I’m not sure how many times the Aggies will have to settle for field goals tonight, but I’d really like to see some consistency from Small. Connecting on just 20-of-28 field goals last season, a 71.4 percent accuracy that ranked 11th in the SEC in 2018, Small must improve on his freshman totals.
It could be argued that he won the South Carolina game last season, a 3-point victory in which Smalls connected on 4-of-5 FG attempts. He also nailed all 3 tries against LSU. So the talent is there, it just needs to be a little more consistent each week. Tonight would be a good time to start.
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
