Texas A&M Football: How can the Aggies prevent a second half swoon?

3. Armani Watts and his secondary mates need to step up

One final concern I have as we head into October is the secondary.  They’ve played great at times and then there are times you wonder what are they looking at. For the third time in two weeks, the safeties let a receiver get behind them for a long touchdown pass. With Alabama, Florida, State and Aubun looming, the secondary better figure it out real quick.

We’ve seen in the past all four teams can make big plays in the passing game.  South Carolina took a couple of deep shots with one coming through, but where they hurt us was with quick slants so Chavis and crew need to continue disgusing the blitzes and coverages.  And please if you’re going to bring extra pressure, make sure the back five or six know what leverage to play.

At least three of our next four opponents will try to make it very difficult on the eyes of our defense with motions and RPOs. How sound will our secondary be is very critical moving forward? If they can be in position to make plays like they did late in the second half against South Carolina that should give everyone some comfort going into October. I like them taking chances, but that comes with the understanding they know to either catch the ball or at least knock it down.

How many interceptions did we miss? Any defense will have a hard time being successful if the gifts the offense wants to give are not being capitalized on. As competition gets better you will have to make those plays.