Frustration Continues for Texas A&M Football
We are getting to the point in time where the excuses are tiring. Texas A&M football, who at one point was ranked #6 in the polls, has free fallen to the gutters, being tied with dumpster-fire-program Auburn in last place in the SEC West. Injuries and bad luck have plagued the Aggies season, but there should be no excuse for what is now year 5 of Jimbo’s tenure. Saturday was another blow— a loss to a UF team that was good, but not good enough to beat A&M the way that they did. Here is what Jimbo had to say after that loss.
“Like I said, disappointing there. First half was back and forth. They were scoring moving the ball consistently. We were scoring moving the ball consistently. Think we were up 24-20 at half, we had one stop and got a big gain then got a penalty, got behind the chains and almost had a 3rd down we almost hit. Our guys were moving the ball, getting the run game going, had good balance. They got us on single high stuff and put pressure on the ends. Safeties were pulling on the quarterback trying to get him out and did a good job of that and had nice runs. We were able to keep good balance in the first half on our play action game. To me we were having efficient plays, no negative plays, not getting behind the sticks.”
“Did a good job though, Haynes (King) managed the game really well. Made good throws, made good decisions on 3rd down and got a touchdown down there and moved the ball extremely well. Big drive before the half. Being able to get down with 2 minutes and get points before the half was excellent. We played very well in that situation. I came out of the second half disappointed. We had a boot play they covered and doubled. We got the guy booted and maybe could have scrambled for a couple of yards. Then we got a negative run on a 3 and 9. They got some pressure. We had a chance down the middle and he underthrew it by just a hair. He dove and almost made a great one.”
“They then got a punt return and came down and scored. They got the momentum. We came back out on offense and had 2 runs, trying to keep the run in balance because we ran the ball really good in the first half and just didnt get it. They controlled the line of scrimmage like I said their line is big and strong and we just didnt get it. We did a good job in the first half keeping them off balance with it, then we got in a 3rd and long and the blitz and we didnt pick up on it.”
What I Took Away From the Game
Jimbo went on to say the imperfection of how each drive went for this Texas A&M football team and how Florida capitalized. There is a handful of things that I observed that are more frustrating than anything else.
First and foremost, the the 3-man line does not work on defense. It has been proven time and time again that we are not capable of running it. I look at games like the Aggies versus Mississippi State where Bulldog QB Will Rogers would pick them apart as the Aggies could not get pressure with the 3-man rush. I noticed similar result when they ran it this week. Though Richardson isn’t know as an elite passer, the Aggies sure made him look good. 17/28 for 201 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs, and 93.3 QBR. And, of course, to pile it on: 22 carries for 100 yards and a TD. We did not run the 3-3-5 all game, but when we did, Richardson just sat in the pocket waiting for an opening to run or throw to an open WR.
I said in the beginning of the game whoever turns the ball over is going to lose. King fumbles on a crucial drive with 10:46 left in the 4th when the Aggies were on the UF 27. A field goal at least makes it 34-27. A&M defense forced a 3 and out and gave the offense redemption… Just to fumble again. I will not put it entirely on King, as the O-Line was starting to get manhandled at that point, but it did nothing but seal the fate for the Aggies.
This Texas A&M football team was very thin with multiple starters out, but the game was very winnable. Take what you want from that game but at this point I want to see Jimbo mix it up. Continue playing more and more of the freshman and sophomores. Defensive coaches’ seats should be heating up and bringing an experience offensive coordinator would be in Jimbo’s favor.
What’s Next?
Hopefully, for everyone’s sanity, the flu will be a thing of the past and we get our starters back. Auburn is a dumpster fire but we are not faring much better. This is a must win for Jimbo, as bowl implications are on the line for this Texas A&M football team. Reaching a bowl game is beyond important for this team so they can have an extra 3-4 weeks of practice— especially for the younger players. Kickoff will be 7:30/6:30 pm (EST/CST) on SEC Network at Auburn, AL.