Position-by-position edge: Texas A&M vs. Mississippi State
In consecutive weeks, Mississippi State hosts Texas A&M before playing Alabama on the road. Many expect the Bulldogs to lose both of those games because, well, it looks like they will lose.
The one-loss Aggies received the No. 4 ranking from the College Football Playoff committee’s initial rankings earlier this week. The ranking surprised many, but Texas A&M put up a good fight against Alabama and has wins against Auburn, Tennessee and UCLA.
The Bulldogs find themselves on the opposite end of the spectrum. Mississippi State lost its fifth game of the season in heartbreaking fashion at the hands of Kentucky. The possibility of bowl-eligibility appears to be withering, and the most daunting part of their schedule, or any schedule in the country, is staring right at them.
These are the important advantages each team ought to have this Saturday. Spoiler: Myles Garrett is really good.
When Texas A&M has the ball
Texas A&M passing attack vs Mississippi State pass defense: Trevor Knight is as experienced as college quarterbacks come. This season, the fifth-year senior has thrown for 1,868 yards with 13 touchdowns. Further, Knight navigated the Aggies through two home overtime wins and helped the team put up a decent fight on the road against Alabama.
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Mississippi State’s pass defense will struggle at all levels on Saturday. Last week, Devlin Hodges, the sophomore quarterback for Samford, completed 42-of-69 attempts for 468 yards and 4 touchdowns. Texas A&M’s offensive line will protect the passer, the receivers will get open and make plays and Knight will find them.
EDGE: Texas A&M
Texas A&M rushing attack vs Mississippi State rush defense: The Aggies consistently boast a reputable offensive line, and this year is no exception. Avery Gennesy anchors a line that has blocked for three featured rushers this season: Knight, Trayveon Williams and Keith Ford. Williams has racked up 776 yards through eight games while Knight has rushed for 529 and Ford for 352. The Bulldogs gave up 262 yards on the ground two weeks ago at Kentucky and 159 last week against Samford. Texas A&M will use the big offensive line to establish a brutal ground game, and Knight, Williams and Ford will use speed and quickness to get to the second level of the defense.
EDGE: Texas A&M
When Mississippi State has the ball
Mississippi State passing offense vs Texas A&M pass defense: The Bulldogs appear to work best when Nick Fitzgerald gets the ball out of his hand on time and when Fred Ross is utilized in space. Ross is putting together a successful senior season, having already compiled 543 receiving yards, and Fitzgerald appears t0 be establishing a better connection with Ross. However, Texas A&M has the best pound-for-pound player in all of college football — defensive end Myles Garrett.
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Garrett improved his physical conditioning in the offseason and is now a threat to clog the inside portion of the line of scrimmage along with being the best at rushing the passer. His presence can be felt on nearly every down. Mississippi State does not have the personnel to handle him. His impact on Fitzgerald will allow the Aggies to drop men into zone coverages, likely leading to a difficult afternoon for the Bulldogs offense.
EDGE: Texas A&M
Mississippi State rushing attack vs Texas A&M rush defense: As mentioned, Garrett is really good. However, on the ground, the Bulldogs could simply run to the other side of the field, right? Not so much. Zone read offenses that once eliminated the effectiveness of defensive ends have been figured out by defensive coordinators. Garrett is particularly talented at attacking the zone read handoff mesh point. Mississippi State’s rushing attack has yet to reach its full potential this year, though there have been signs of improvement. But without the zone read depending on Fitzgerald reading Garrett, the Bulldogs will not establish footing in the ground game.
EDGE: Texas A&M
