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Without sounding too much like the Bo Nix meme that has been going around social media for months now, this was the year for Texas A&M at quarterback.
Haynes King was recruited by alleged quarterback whisperer Jimbo Fisher and developed for two seasons while sitting behind Kellen Mond. He beat out Zack Calzada for the starting job this season, being dubbed the guy to take the Aggies to the College Football Playoff. His ability as a dual-threat paired with two of the best running backs in the country and an elite defense had College Station hopeful.
Until a fractured ankle against Colorado has sidelined King with an at best mid-October return on the table.
If I told you the Texas A&M offense has been bad since then, it would come off as a compliment.
Calzada has taken over as the starting quarterback and led the Aggies to an average of 14 points/game (three games) against Power Five opponents. Two consecutive losses to Arkansas and Mississippi State have taken the CFP hype to “hopefully, they’ll make a bowl game.”
Outside of the lackluster scoring, some of Calzada’s advanced numbers are worrying. Only 10.1% of his throws have gone beyond 20 yards this season. Texas A&M has some talented skill position players and should have a more explosive passing game than Fisher has put on display so far.
Holding onto the ball too long has been an issue as well, averaging 3.1 seconds per dropback. Arkansas and Mississippi State each had three sacks over the past two weeks.
Blaming just the quarterback would be unfair, though. Texas A&M’s offensive line has allowed pressures 38.5% of dropbacks. The already weak unit lost starting offensive lineman Luke Matthews for the season as well. It’s far from up for the Aggies.
Thanks to Greg Tepper of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football for the numbers.
That's not only on Calzada, obviously — he's pressured on 38.5% of his dropbacks, second-most among Texas FBS QBs. He's also holding the ball for 3.1 seconds per dropback, the longest among Texas FBS QBs. So it's…kinda everything.
— Greg Tepper (@Tepper) October 4, 2021
From the Alabama perspective, this screams another Will Anderson masterclass. A struggling offensive line plus a quarterback holding onto the ball for too long while refusing to push the ball downfield. Nick Saban should attempt to get Anderson off preseason All-American Kenyon Green and watch him feast.
Any kind of delayed blitzes will confuse the young and inexperienced Aggie front as well. Malachi Moore, Christian Harris, and Henry To’oto’o should be candidates to end up with sacks alongside Anderson.
Even if the pass rush is not able to get home, we know Calzada is going to be afraid to take deep shots. Loading the box to stop the dangerous run game of Isaiah Spiller can become the defense’s main focus. The quarterback poses no threat.
Alabama blowing out Texas A&M is nothing new. Six of the last seven have been decided by at least 18 points, including a 28-point win last season. Ignoring the quarterback struggles is too difficult to believe any other result will occur at Kyle Flood.
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