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Josh Heupel evaluates Texas A&M’s defensive play through Week 6
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Josh Heupel dialed in to the SEC’s weekly teleconference Wednesday afternoon to discuss the Texas A&M Aggies, which travel to Neyland Stadium looking to stamp a strong road win after falling to Alabama last week.
The Aggies defense has looked much improved under DJ Durkin since a bit of a misfire against Miami in Week 2. Texas A&M’s pass rush specifically has been downright deadly, and they’ll be able to get to Joe Milton if they come out to play Saturday.
Here’s what Heupel had to say regarding Texas A&M’s defense:
“I think it’s like 4 straight weeks of 5+ sacks. They’ve gotten after the quarterback,” Heupel said. “They do it through scheme and pressures but a lot of it’s through their front four. They do it not just on 3rd down, they do it on normal downs too. Those guys are physically gifted, they’re big, strong, physical, but they’re extremely athletic, bend well, they use their hands well.”
“I think it’s really important in this one that you protect the quarterback extremely well, give him a chance to get the ball out,” Heupel continued. “You watch the games, and there’s a lot of 2nd and longs, 3rd and longs, and those are situations you don’t want to be in against this front. You got to protect it well, but you’ve also got to strike some balance and have some effectiveness in the run game, which is extremely difficult, these guys defend the run extremely well.”
The Vols and Aggies face off at 3:30 on CBS this Saturday from Knoxville.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.