Texas A&M football: 4 stats that prove Aggies are better in 2018
By Jeff Shull
Defense
The defense isn’t perfect, but bet your bottom dollar A&M fans will take what they are getting from the Aggie Wrecking Crew this season. They’ve cleaned up some of the issues in the passing game over the last couple of weeks after surrendering a boat load of big plays to the likes of Clemson and Alabama.
More importantly, they are excelling in areas that were the bane of our existence in the Sumlin area: stopping the run and getting off the field on third down.
The run defense has been stout against every single opponent this season. They rank No. 3 in the country at 81.6 yards per game, only allow 3.24 yards per carry and have allowed only five rushing touchdowns. This after already facing Clemson’s No. 4, Kentucky’s No. 26 and Alabama’s No. 29 rushing attacks.
The third down defense ranks No. 2 in the country. The Aggies have only allowed 18 conversions on 79 attempts, good for a ridiculous 22.8 percent through seven games.
The defense is No. 23 overall in yards and tied for fourth in red zone scoring defense. Mike Elko has been a smashing success thus far.