3 Reasons Texas A&M Football Gets Sweet Vindication Against Ole Miss
![Oct 28, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Ainias Smith (0) warms up before the game against South Carolina Gamecocks at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports Oct 28, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Ainias Smith (0) warms up before the game against South Carolina Gamecocks at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/0c417c849d74ce363054ba3a833a1b57718864ea93bea5d839d5bc66aa44075a.jpg)
Texas A&M Football will Make a Special Teams Play
Bill Connelly has the Aggie special teams unit as one of the worse-ranked units in the country so far this season. Texas A&M football has allowed two touchdowns in the kicking game so far, have had a kick blocked, and are 72% overall on field goals for the year. Not exactly stellar numbers.
That said, though, the Aggies also boast one of the best special teams weapons in the nation in Ainias Smith. 0 has his own punt return for a touchdown this year, and has come close to breaking open several more. This third phase could end up being key in this game.
He did it again 🥶 @ainias_smith took another punt return to the house pic.twitter.com/23xyMIRxk1
— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) October 1, 2023
I see this contest being something of a defensive slog, given how good A&M’s defense is and how bad their offense can be at times. In all likelihood, it will resemble the Tennessee game in a couple of ways. It was a punt return in that contest that was the deciding factor when all was said and done, and it could be the same in Oxford come Saturday, but hopefully it’s #0 in Maroon and White who makes the game-changing play.
On the flipside, the Aggies will have to be extremely careful and disciplined in their own special teams coverages. As I’ve mentioned, the Ags have already given up 2 touchdowns in the kicking game—one punting, one kickoff—so they’ll have to be on guard. The Rebels don’t have an especially explosive return game, but they do have several high-caliber athletes at the returner spot.
Next. Five bold predictions: Aggies expose Ole Miss?. dark