2. Texas A&M won, even though it really didn’t go Texas A&M
How did Texas A&M win games this season? It DOMINATED the time of possession battle, keeping the ball for over 35 minutes a game.
It had it for 32 minutes. Great, and not far off, but it didn’t have the ball and grind out drives like it normally does.
Did it own third downs? A&M was third in the nation in time of possession and second in third down conversions, but it only converted 5-of-13 tries against the Tar Heels.
The nation’s best punt return defense allowed a 23-yard return by UNC’s Dazz Newsome, but the passing game that wasn’t big on the downfield plays or yards after the catch on a regular basis got close to nine yards per pass by Kellen Mond.
It did go Texas A&M on penalties – a problem all year – with nine that always seemed to stop any momentum, and the D that allowed just 317 yards per game gave up 324, and it did go Texas A&M in the most important way.
It won.