Texas A&M defensive coordinator DJ Durkin has done a good job since the Miami game, bringing pressure and putting his pass rushers in position to make plays. It’s paid off to the tune of 26 sacks and 57 tackles for loss. Both are in the top five in the nation among multiple other categories and are currently ranked 10th in total defense.
However, the Alabama game exposed how big of an issue the secondary play has been this season. Jalen Milroe and Jermaine Burton torched the Aggie DBs all game long many times with no one within a few yards of the reception. Unfortunately, they will be in the same situation this week as they travel to Tennessee to take on the athletic, strong-armed Vols QB Joe Milton.
A case could be made if the Aggies stopped just two or three of the deep balls in the game last week; they could have pulled off the upset. Well, they will get another chance to show what changes will be made to limit the damage done with the passes downfield. Vols QB Joe Milton is not the most accurate deep ball passer, but he has an absolute cannon for an arm.
Nah this is insane. Joe Milton throwing an orange over 100 yards. pic.twitter.com/gVaVhFqjWh
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) December 31, 2022
While senior transfer Josh DeBerry probably had the worst game of his career against Alabama, the secondary as a whole had a rough day in the office when in coverage. They did not have an answer for the passing game once Alabama finally got a break from the Aggie pass rush. That must change this week, and they cannot allow any free shots down the field. No matter how bad his percentage looks, it only takes one or two big gainers to make the defense back off.
The Texas A&M front seven has shown measurable improvement across the board over the past few weeks that’s masked a few issues on the backend of the defense. This is the perfect week for the secondary to correct the mistakes from last week and start rewarding the defensive line with a few coverage sacks.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on Twitter: @whosnextsports1.