Texas A&M (4-3, 2-2 SEC) will walk out of its bye week and enter, arguably, the biggest game of the season as they host South Carolina (2-5, 1-4 SEC). Much has been about the stakes at play and the negative stigma coming off back-to-back losses, but we’re flipping the script.
If anything, Saturday’s game could mark an emphatic turnaround for this football team, and with it could come some notable performances. After all, the Aggies should be healthy and well-rested following the bye, and with a chip on their shoulder, it should serve as fuel for some big performances.
Here are our three bold predictions for Texas A&M’s Week 9 bout with South Carolina.
1) The Aggies O-line allows…zero sacks
This first bold prediction may be too generous, considering how the Maroon Goons have fared over the last few weeks. A&M has not allowed a sack in just two games this season while averaging 2.6 sacks allowed in the other five contests. The Gamecocks have logged the third-fewest sacks (13) in the SEC this season, so perhaps this “bold” prediction won’t be all that out of reach come Saturday.
2) Evan Stewart goes for over 150 yards receiving
Where art thou, Evan Stewart? A&M’s versatile threat through the air averaged 128.5 receiving yards per game through the first two weeks but has since cooled off like the Fall season. In his last five games, the sophomore hasn’t surpassed the 50-yard receiving mark, but we’re banking on him blowing past that threshold in Week 9.
Stewart will set a new career high by finishing with over 150 yards receiving, leaving his 142-yard receiving performance back in Week 2 in the dust. South Carolina’s defense ranks 127th in the country, allowing 305.0 passing yards per game, so it’s the perfect opportunity for Stewart to torch those lining up across him.
3) Texas A&M’s defense records a season-high 10 sacks
A&M’s defense has been the lone silver lining amid a rough stretch of football over the last month or so. Namely, the defensive front has helped keep this team within fighting distance, as they’re tied for first in the SEC in total sacks (29). On Saturday, we’re predicting the Maroon and White set a new season high for bringing down Spencer Rattler.
The Aggies’ highest total of sacks in a game has been 7.0, back against Arkansas and Auburn. South Carolina ranks 132nd in the country in sacks allowed per game (5.0), which bumps up to 6.0 on the road. Why can’t A&M get four more on the day, especially coming out of the bye week with a chip on their shoulder?
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