The Aggies host Mississippi State on Saturday morning at Kyle Field looking for their first winning streak of the season. Texas A&M defeated Ole Miss last Saturday, 24-17, and haven’t won (or lost) back-to-back games so far this year.
Here are 5 things I’d like to see from the Aggies on Saturday.
1. Continued improvement from OL
The Aggies’ OL had its moments last week and showed some promise. Texas A&M was able to rush for 165 yards against Ole Miss, and should be able to move the ball on the ground against a Bulldogs defense that allows 152 rushing yards on average per game.
Pass blocking is another story.
Among SEC teams, only Mississippi State (20) has allowed more sacks this season than the Aggies (19). Improvement in that category would go a long way in helping QB Kellen Mond with reads and decision-making.
Speaking of which …
2. Mond making better decisions
The junior QB doesn’t seem to have improved much this season over last. A lot of it could be attributed to poor protection. Still, Mond must make better decisions with the football, especially in the red zone. Throwing the ball away, or (dare we say it) taking yet another sack — as unpleasant as that sounds — is still better than tossing up jump balls in the end zone.
Making better decisions sometimes means accepting the lesser of two evils. Mond appears to be trying too hard to force things, and it seems to get worse the closer to the end zone he gets.
There is a fine line between wanting to make a play and forcing something that simply isn’t there.
3. Stop the run
The Aggies have made a conscientious effort to improve on pass defense this season, and the numbers bear that out. But the run defense has suffered. The best team in the SEC and one of the best in the nation against the run last season, Texas A&M ranks no better than 6th in the SEC against the run this year.
So they’ll have their hands full with the running tandem of RB Kylin Hill and QB Garrett Shrader. The RB-QB duo have combined for 1,083 rushing yards already this season. But teams are loading the box and daring the Bulldogs’ freshman QB to beat them with the pass. He has struggled thus far to do so. It will be interesting to see if the Aggies employ a similar approach.
4. TDs in the red zone
The Aggies lead the SEC with 10 field goals in red zone possessions. That’s better than nothing, but that’s not a stat you want to be the best at.
The Aggies aren’t having problems getting to the red zone, they rank fourth in the SEC with 33 trips. Reaching the end zone has been the problem.
The Aggies are right in the middle of the SEC pack with 18 TDs scored on red zone opportunities. That number must be increased beginning Saturday as the Aggies move forward with a loaded back end of the schedule that includes South Carolina, Georgia and LSU.
5. Flip turnover ratio
The Aggies are minus-2 in the turnover margin this season. Among SEC teams, only Kentucky (-3) has a worse ratio. Texas A&M simply is not creating fumbles. The Aggies are last in the conference with just 2 fumble recoveries. The secondary has done its job with 8 pass interceptions.
Saturday could be a turning point.
The Bulldogs are last in the conference with 15 turnovers. Conversely, they are tied with Auburn for the league lead in fumble recoveries (10). So it is imperative for Mond and Co. to stay vigilant in protecting the football.
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
