Texas A&M Football: 3 Takeaways from Bitter Loss on Rocky Top

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Texas A&M defensive back Josh DeBerry (28) intercepts a pass in the end zone intended for Tennessee wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. (1) during a football game between Tennessee and Texas A&M at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. /

Defense can only take Texas A&M football so far

Y’all remember the dumb article that was written after Miami about how Durkin is so awful as a DC? I know this isn’t the first time I’ve written about this since that point, but it bears repeating. It was written with a balance of, on the one hand, such cocksure and definitive terminology and, on the other, absolutely anemic statistical and logical backing that it was astounding.

Instead, we’ve seen five weeks straight since that point of excellent defense. Perhaps surpassing excellent—elite defense. This game, even though Texas A&M football gave up more on the ground than they were used to and also got the QB far less often than they have been, proved that they are indeed an elite unit. You know how we talk about an elite offense that can still produce even when their best pitch is taken away? That’s how this defense is starting to look. The long ball is still a bit of an issue, of course, but even that wasn’t a factor in this matchup.

Tennessee was able to run with a lot more success than any other opponent for Texas A&M football thus far this season. Even so, they produced about 10 points on their own merits. 7 came from special teams, and 3 were gifted based on getting the ball back at their own 5 after Texas A&M football turned it over. Even in that second scenario, the Aggies moved them backwards on their three plays. This is a unit that is ascendant and productive, and I’m excited if for nothing else than to see them play the rest of the way this season.