Texas A&M's takeaways from blowout win over Arkansas to get back on track
Texas A&M has an offensive identity if they want to commit to it
The Aggies found something that was working in a big way with the run game against the Hogs. That was an aspect of their offense that was sneakily looking pretty good over the last couple of weeks, despite the fact that they weren't able to utilize it as much when they fell way behind both LSU and Kentucky.
They came out in this one, though, and intended to run the ball from start to finish. That they did, compiling 231 rushing yards on 49 attempts, gaining nearly 5 yards per carry. That also let them control the ball for much of the game, as they finished with a time of possession of 38 minutes.
The other thing this did fro the Aggies was increase their offensive third down efficiency— the Aggies were 9-16 on third down because they were often facing short distances to go. This is what the Aggies need to build off of going forward— when the run game is working, it helps Marcel too. He was much more comfortable working from play action and getting better protection, and did a better job finding the open receivers and delivering on time.
The conversation needs to be had about the safety position
Marcus Ratcliffe and Dalton Brooks are two veteran players for this team, not to mention team captains, but when it comes to putting players on the field that are going to win you games, it may be time to decrease their snaps. Tawfiq Byard and Chance Collins were the two names that really popped for the Aggies in this game, and it could well be that they are the ones who need to get the majority of the time on the field for A&M.
Brooks and Ratcliffe did make some plays— the former picked off an early pass, and the latter was key on a fourth-down stop at the goal line. But if this season truly is going a bit sideways for the Aggies, then A&M needs to not be afraid to commit to getting the younger players some time, just like Collins.
Byard is continuing to get healthy after an injury late in the offseason, and he's beginning to round into form. He led the team in tackles against the Hogs with 6, and he looks like a heat-seeking missile coming up in run support— just what Aggie fans want to see out of their safeties.
A&M's receiver depth is starting to bear fruit
This is another position where two young players really put something on tape that Aggie fans should be excited about. TK Norman, no. 18 in the maroon and white, was targeted a fair few times for A&M, and he delivered in a pretty exciting way.
He's not KC Concepcion or Mario Craver, but he's done as good of a job running after the catch with the ball in his hands as any other player on the roster for the Aggies. It may be time to get him some more targets going forward.
The same can be said of Kiotti Armstrong. I wrote about this earlier, but Armstrong's workload looks like it is set to increase, according to Mike Elko himself, which is something A&M desperately needs at the tight end position. If all of this coalesces in the way fans are hoping, this season could get turned around for the Aggies sooner than we all thought.
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