The way you beat A&M is running the ball. Not only does successfully running the ball help with keeping the ball out of the A&M QBs hands, A&M is actually very vulnerable to the run. So far this season, A&M has given up 203 yards to UCLA; 161 yards to SC; 353 to Tenn; 287 to Bama; 236 yard to AU; and 366 yards to Arky. Don't let A&Ms record scare you either...this team needed OT to win against both UCLA (3-5) & Tenn (5-3). So we need our O plan to feature large doses of the run with lots of 2 back sets. In the red zone, we need to line a Big boy up as the lead blocker in the back field and jam the ball in for TDs. A&M has real issues with stopping the run.
Believe it or not, we want A&M throwing the ball. The key for our D is maintaining pressure, containment duties, and not giving up huge pads to the receivers. We want our DBs being in tight to the A&M receivers and batting balls. Yeah we give up yards in the passing game, but A&M had trouble with every team I have listed above. We want our DBs being in tight to the A&M receivers and batting balls. The SC game was actually closer than the final score and if SC had a descent FG kicker it wouldn't have gone A&M's way. Knight has thrown 6 picks so far this season and forces the ball in places he shouldn't. He really should have more picks than TDs (13 TDs to 6 picks). We need our DBs batting the passes and being heads up to be ready for tip picks and doing something once they do get the ball. However in close games this season Knight has thrown the balance of his picks. If we can keep Knight to 200 or less yards but have his attempts in the mid 30s or higher we actually do stand a chance to get a W.
Lastly, we need our special teams to be clicking on all cylinders. We need special teams to give us an edge in the field position game. We also need to have Graves kicking med to short FGs like he does extra points. He drives extra points right down the middle, so have him kick FG the same dang way. We also need to let Dear be the main returner. We are getting to many fair catches from Ross so make a change.
