Here are some quick thoughts on Texas A&M’s 34-27 loss to Missouri.
What it means: Defensive coordinator Mark Snyder should start planning his next career move now. There’s no way the Aggies retain him as the defensive coordinator, right? Considering the offense’s performances of late, 27 points and 341 yards isn’t a bad effort against a stiff Missouri defense. The team has lost four games since being ranked No. 6 entering October and could be headed for a pretty depressing 7-5 season.
What I liked: The Aggies managed an even turnover margin and performed well on special teams. Kyle Allen held up pretty well with Markus Golden and Shane Ray chasing him all night. When Missouri scored three consecutive touchdowns to go up 34-20, Texas A&M could’ve folded its tents and cried uncle, but instead got within two yards of tying the game.
What I didn’t like: Texas A&M’s defense needs all the help it can get, but DE Myles Garrett (concussion) didn’t play, while LBs Shaan Washington, Josh Walker and Otaro Alaka all left the game due to injury. Not to mention CB Deshazor Everett is playing with a jacked-up elbow. Coming into the Saturday, Missouri produced 250.2 yards of offense per game in SEC play. Texas A&M graciously gave Missouri 587 yards. Facing a fourth-and-1 from the 2 late in the game, hunting for a tying touchdown, the Aggies drew up an interesting play, but didn’t execute well and allowed the Tigers to snuff it out.
Who’s the man: Josh Reynolds. In addition to touchdowns of 24 and 56 yards, Reynolds accounted for 52.7 percent of A&M’s passing yards. He nearly negotiated a third touchdown, but his toe jammed into the white paint at the right edge of the end zone.
Key play: Allen hit TE Cameron Clear on the aforementioned fourth-and-1 at the 2-yard line, but the throw wasn’t perfect and it took Clear too long to gather it. A clean catch likely would’ve meant a touchdown and almost certainly would’ve given the Aggies a first down.
What’s next: The Aggies get a week off before closing the season with a home game against LSU on Nov. 27. Win that game and Texas A&M has a chance to finish tied for fourth in the SEC West at 8-4, which may be good enough to enter a bowl game ranked in the Top 25.
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
