Texas A&M Football: 3 takeaways from a setback loss to Mississippi State

That was a tough game to watch. Despite the Bulldogs being favored, I think most fans felt that the Texas A&M Football team should’ve taken care of business in Starkville, a venue where they’ve now notched the unenviable mark of 2-4 since joining the conference.

The defense missed opportunities, generally failing to live up to their heretofore-elite status against the pass. The offense, while moving the ball a fair amount, was unable to capitalize on their opportunities as well. So what can we take away from this game? What do we think about the Aggies going forward? Let’s dive in.

Missed opportunities

It’s been talked to death by this point, but this could’ve been a very different game had a few breaks gone another way. On the first few drives of the game, the Aggies dropped no fewer than 3 sure interceptions, 1 or 2 of which could’ve been returned for a score.

Still scoreless in the first quarter, star RB Devon Achane fumbles near the goal line of the Bulldogs when the Aggies had been picking up huge chunks on the ground. This turned into Mississippi State’s first touchdown of the game, as they drove the length of the field before finally finding the end zone on a 5-yard pass to Caleb Ducking.

The Aggies went three and out directly afterward, which led to another Mississippi State touchdown drive. The Ags mounted another drive near the end of the half, following a great kickoff return by Achane, but were once again unable to capitalize, falling victim to another red zone fumble. This time it was on an unaccounted-for blitzer knocking the ball out of Max Johnson’s hand as he stood tall in the pocket.

The second half was, somehow, even worse than the first. The Aggies had a chance to respond directly out of the gate, driving down to the Bulldog 6 before having to settle for a field goal after a Max Johnson pass (that, to be fair, was slightly behind where it should’ve been) hit Evan Stewart in the hands and was dropped.

The Aggies were given yet another chance as Walter Nolen recovered a fumble on the Bulldogs’ second play from scrimmage in the half, but were unable to move the ball from that spot and set up for another field goal. This one was blocked and returned for a touchdown— controversially so, as Billy Liucci on his Loochador Podcast indicated that the SEC had reached out to A&M to let them know that the officials had missed an offsides call that would’ve nullified this game-changing play.

The Aggies and Bulldogs would trade touchdowns on the next four drives, despite Max Johnson injuring his thumb and Haynes King having to enter the game.  Of course, calling Mississippi State’s final possession a “drive” is a bit generous, as, in reality, it was a single 75-yard touchdown pass.

However, things would get even worse, as King threw interceptions on the next two Aggie possessions (again, to be fair, both of them were the right pass that hit the receiver in the hands), one of which was returned for a touchdown. I can just tell you right now: if you are on the wrong end of both a pick-6 and a special teams score, you are likely not winning that game. The Ags tacked on another late score (again State’s first-team D, despite it being garbage time), but it was too little, too late.

Not to rip off Josh Pate too blatantly, but two red zone turnovers is pretty much a padlock stat, as is surrendering two non-offensive touchdowns. Combine those, and I don’t care if you’re the 1993 Dallas Cowboys — your chances of winning are pretty slim. Give credit to Mississippi State: they executed their game plan well and took advantage of the opportunities the Ags provided them.  A&M can’t say the same.