Texas A&M Football 2017: 5 Bold predictions vs LSU in Week 13

1. Nick Starkel outduels Danny Etling

Danny Etling had the game of his life in College Station a year ago. He completed 20 of 28 passes for 325 yards and two touchdowns, posting a QBR of 95.0. That was the second best yardage mark of his career, and the best performance he’s had at LSU after transferring from Purdue.

Having Guice doing what he does on the ground certainly helps, but that performance was the exception, not the rule. Etling has as many games this season with multiple touchdown passes as he has without any touchdown passes at all. Syracuse and Arkansas don’t have impressive secondaries. Texas A&M’s defense has been susceptible to some big plays, but it’s not going to be enough to allow Etling to have a repeat performance.

Nick Starkel, on the other hand, has been a rejuvenating force for the Texas A&M offense. After struggling to move the ball against Mississippi State the Aggies turned to Starkel responded with a deep touchdown pass to Camron Buckley. Starkel threw for 416 yards and four touchdowns in the first half against New Mexico and registered 272 yards and a touchdown against Ole Miss. His upside is infinitely higher than Etling’s.