Texas A&M football: 5 thoughts midway through the regular season
By Jeff Shull
2. Pass defense needs to improve
Even after a dominant performance against an offense that hasn’t passed the ball well all year, the Aggies currently rank No. 96 in passing yards allowed per game. Part of that has to do with facing Tua Tagovailoa and Alabama already, but they’ve given up big plays in the passing game all season.
All four of Clemson’s scoring drives came with a passing play of at least 40 yards. Three of them had a play of at least 50 yards. They are at the bottom of the SEC in passing plays of 30 yards or more allowed. It’s a problem and thankfully the last two offenses they played were ill-equipped to take advantage.
South Carolina can move the ball through the air. Deebo Samuel is a fantastic weapon on the outside the Aggies will need to slow down to stop the Gamecocks offense. Ole Miss is also a high flying attack that has scored 70 points in a game twice this season. Jordan Ta’amu is shattering school records and the Aggies won’t last long giving up chunk plays.
Mike Elko has work to do. Hopefully the front seven can build off their six-sack performance against Kentucky.