Texas A&M’s Week 5 showdown against the Arkansas Razorbacks takes center stage inside AT&T Stadium on Saturday afternoon, as the Southwest Classic will move to a new venue next season. For those who have been paying attention, Texas A&M has defeated the Razorbacks all but once since the 2012 campaign.
This season, both teams enter the game at 3-1 and 1-0 in SEC play while coming off close wins, especially the Aggies’ underwhelming Week 4 performance against a touch Bowling Green team. However, redshirt freshman quarterback Marcel Reed has continued to improve as Conner Weigman recovers from his shoulder injury.
Whoever starts at quarterback on Saturday, the Aggie offensive line must establish dominance in pass protection, as Arkansas’s top-15-ranked run defense could stifle the running game.
Starting left tackle Trey Zuhn has been the most dependable blocker this season. The right tackle position has been a two-man show between seniors Reuben Fatheree and Dametrious Crownover. According to Pro Football Focus, they are currently two of the highest-rated pass protectors in the state of Texas.
Fatheree, who returned from an injury that kept him inactive for most of the 2023 season, has allowed zero pressures, hurries, or sacks in 82 snaps at right tackle and is currently the highest-rated pass protector with an 83.3 grade and a 74.9 run blocking grade.
Crownover, who is equally massive and smooth with his feet, has logged 195 snaps at right tackle while allowing one hit and four quarterback hurries—the senior’s 65.5 pass protection grade is above average, while his 75.0 run blocking grade is one of the best on the team.
Fatheree deserves more snaps at right tackle if we’re strictly going by numbers. Still, given his injury history, it’s no surprise that head coach Mike Elko and O-line coach Adam Cushing are still rotating both players, which is an obvious advantage depth-wise.
Texas A&M will face Arkansas inside AT&T Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28, at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will air on ESPN.
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