Texas A&M (5-1, 3-0 SEC) is enjoying the first of two bye weeks this season, as head coach Mike Elko has spent the last week checking up on recruiting commits while slowly but surely prepping for next Saturday’s road test vs. Mississippi State.
On Saturday, the Bulldogs traveled to Athens to take on 5th-ranked Georgia in a game that looked like a blowout in the home team’s favor. Still, after leading 34-10 in the 3rd quarter, Mississippi State’s offense outscored Georgia 21-17 behind freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren’s 306 yards and three touchdowns through the air.
Yes, the Bulldogs are the worst team in the SEC due to their record and overall play, but despite the loss, this team looks much more explosive with Van Buren at the helm.
Coming off a bye week can be good and bad for Texas A&M, as the roster’s health should be nearly 100% outside of several players. Still, the break in rhythm, especially with starting quarterback Conner Weigman back in the lineup, could result in slow starts and getting behind the chains early.
However, Texas A&M is a superior team on both sides of the ball, and after recording nine sacks and 18 tackles for loss in their last two games, the Aggie pass rush led by junior defensive end Nic Scourton should be disruptive against the freshman signal caller.
If Mississippi State’s passing attack finds life, it’s up to A&M’s secondary to not allow explosive 15-plus yard plays and only limit Van Buren to throws between the hash marks.
On offense, completing early passing in tight windows while running the ball effectively should open up the passing game for deep shots, as OC Collin Klein’s gameplan for Conner Weigman led to the redshirt sophomore completing 18/22 for 276 yards A&M’s 41-10 win over Missouri, his first game in nearly a month.
This is a “trap game” like any SEC road matchup. Still, Texas A&M’s physical identity under Mike Elko has already shown to travel after tough wins over Florida and Arkansas this season.
Texas A&M will travel to Starkville to face Mississippi State on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 3:15 p.m. CT. The game will air on the SEC Network.
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