Texas A&M Football: The defense will carry the Aggies this season

Sep 10, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Appalachian State Mountaineers running back Camerun Peoples (6) rushes against Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Tunmise Adeleye (30) in the second quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Appalachian State Mountaineers running back Camerun Peoples (6) rushes against Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Tunmise Adeleye (30) in the second quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Texas A&M Football
Sep 10, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Appalachian State Mountaineers running back Camerun Peoples (6) rushes against Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Tunmise Adeleye (30) in the second quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Everyone knows that Texas A&M football struggled on the offensive side of the ball this past week. Putting up just 14 points against a Sun Belt team in Appalachian State is simply unacceptable for a team with much more talent throughout the roster and while at home.

It has been proven through just two weeks that this team will depend on its defense a lot this season. You could even say it will be this team’s rock, savior, and identity. Everyone figured this team would be fairly well balanced with stars on offense and defense, but the offense has not picked up any slack this season.

Yes, they scored 31 points in Week 1 which is great and all, but even that game was really up-and-down for Haynes King and the offense. The inconsistency from the air attack has really hindered this team’s ability to outscore opponents, and not using Devon Achane nearly as much as he should is a coaching issue that needs to be addressed.

Regardless, there are a lot of issues on the offense, but this defense needs so much more praise than what its getting. Everyone wants to talk about how the offense needs to be fixed and how they loved seeing big plays in the first week, but the defense has been impressive to start the season, and that’s being led by a lockdown secondary.

A defensive back unit led by Antonio Johnson and Demani Richardson has held opposing offenses to just 225 passing yards total. They’ve allowed just 112.5 yards per game ranks sixth in the nation and first in the SEC.

Not only has the defensive back unit been elite, but the front six has been really solid as well. According to PFF, the top-five defensive graded players are defensive linemen and linebackers, those being Walter Nolen, Tarian Lee Jr., Albert Regis, Tunmise Adeleye, and Shemar Stewart.

Although they have struggled to get to the quarterback, having only three sacks in two games, they still have made life tough in the passing game, causing 29 pressures through those games. This young group has performed well above expectations, and they are currently carrying this entire team as much as they can.

Last game specifically, despite being on the field for almost 42 minutes on Saturday, the defense made stop after stop against the Mountaineers, giving the offense so many chances to take over and do something with the ball. Unfortunately, as we know, the offense couldn’t capitalize.

There’s one thing for certain, this defense shows heart and grit. The offense doesn’t—not right now at least. The ceiling of this team will be dependent on this offense, however, this team should have a chance to compete in every game because of this defense.