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Why aren’t talented Texas A&M wide receivers shredding opposing defenses?
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The bragging started right from the get-go at Texas A&M. The Aggies’ receiving corps was going to be the best in the SEC – and maybe even best in the nation.
Any why not?
Top all-purpose threat Speedy Noil was supposed to be the leader of a deep and talented group. Josh Reynolds and Ricky Seals-Jones were huge complimentary threats. After all, Reynolds ranked second among SEC receivers in 2014 with 13 touchdown receptions.
If that weren’t enough, incoming freshman Christian Kirk could only add to the talent. The five-star recruit was one of the most heralded athletes in his class.
And for the first five games of the 2015 season, all victories, the receiving corps and the Aggies offense were getting by. An impressive 38 points against Arizona State in the opener gave Aggie fans cause for optimism. Another 56 and 44 dropped on lesser opponents Ball State and Nevada looked great.
But entering SEC play, 28 and 30 points in victories over Arkansas and Mississippi State raised a few questions that led to all-too-familiar losses to stellar defenses from both Alabama and Ole Miss. A&M had only one offensive touchdown in a 41-23 loss to Alabama and mustered only three points at Ole Miss.
Offensive production is down in the passing game and the reasons could be many. None of which involve a lack of talent. That leaves timing, rhythm, game plan and/or execution, and the Aggies faithful is hoping to see improvement when A&M hosts Auburn Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. (ET)
Reynolds has 29 catches for 532 yards and four TDs, down from last year’s totals (52-842-13). The same for Seals-Jones, who has 30 receptions for 398 yards and two scores, a decrease from 49-465-4 last season. Noil, who’s been dealing with injuries much of the year, has just 10 catches this season, for 95 yards and a touchdown as opposed to 46-483-5 during a healthy 2014. Kirk has been the go-to guy this season with 47 pass receptions for 662 yards and four TDs.
Dave Christensen was brought in as offensive line coach to beef up an anemic running game. And though the numbers are up slightly – 150 yards per game last year, 169 in 2015 – it hasn’t taken the pressure off the passing game. The O-line is still adjusting the new assignments.
Maybe he’s getting too fancy with angles and reads, but it seemed like the Aggies’ O-line was more efficient in a more simplified approach.
Whether it’s missed assignments, dropped passes or quarterbacks missing open receivers, the Aggie offense is struggling for consistency. The Aggies are averaging 87 rushing yards in five SEC games this year. That’s last in the league and will do absolutely nothing to help the passing game.
Sophomore QB Kyle Allen wasn’t healthy when he went through a 2-for-22 stretch against Ole Miss, completing a two-game stretch that produced one touchdown in 33 possessions, necessitating a change at the position.
Freshman QB Kyler Murray infused the offense against a porous South Carolina defense with Johnny Manziel-like enthusiasm. He completed 20 of 28 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown, but also ran for 156 yards and a score.
That’s more like what Aggies fans have come to expect from a quarterback. And with the apparent return of Noil, the receiving group could be back at full strength as well.
“Speedy is healthy now,” Texas A&M offensive coordinator Jake Spavital said at Tuesday’s weekly press conference. “He was dinged up at the start of the season and you can see how his reps have gradually increased. He’s playing with high energy right now and it’s good to see No. 2 out there right now.”
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
