FULL PREVIEW – Texas A&M Football vs. Ole Miss Rebels

Texas A&M Football Pass Offense vs. Ole Miss Pass Defense

This is going to be the key matchup of the game, in my opinion. Putting the game on the shoulders of Max Johnson is never something that makes me feel great, but Texas A&M football will desperately need him to have a good game if they are to stand a chance against the Rebel defense. Pete Golding is running an aggressive and effective unit this year in Oxford, with the emphasis on aggressive. Take a look at some of the relevant stats in conference games:

• 0.139 PPA/pass allowed
• 87% of average opponent passing success rate allowed
• 90.22% of average opponent YPA allowed

However, let’s take a look at those same numbers when you filter out the Vanderbilt game:

• 0.331 PPA/pass allowed
• 100% of average opponent passing success rate allowed
• 102.5% of average opponent YPA allowed

That one data point is really buoying the Rebel pass defense up until this point; outside of that, they’ve been somewhat average when comparing their performances to what their opponents normally gain. Where they excel, though, is at getting to the QB: the Rebs rank second in the conference in opponent-adjusted sack rate, behind only Texas A&M football. This is where the aggression comes in from Golding: he really doesn’t hold back, which allows some plays down the field if Texas A&M football can hold up. The Aggie offense has performed better than expected each of the last two years when facing Golding defenses, though, especially in the passing game, so that should be kept in mind as well. Fisher and Petrino will have to have some things cooked up for Max that he is comfortable operating in, and doing so quickly, for Texas A&M football to have success here.