Texas A&M has a huge task in front of them this weekend against the South Carolina Gamecocks, and there are not a lot of fans who are optimistic about pulling off the upset. If they are going to, though, there are a few marks they need to hit— here are three things the Aggies need to do if they want to emerge victorious this weekend.
Three things Texas A&M has to do against South Carolina if they want a chance of pulling the upset
KJ Edwards plays and goes for 100-plus yards
The Aggies' top running back has been listed as "questionable" after missing the second half against Alabama two weeks ago, but he said in an interview on Tuesday that he's ready to go. Hopefully, he's out there and carrying the rock with the same effectiveness we've seen all season, because the Aggies are going to need him in a big way.
The way for A&M to win this game is to dominate time of possession by dominating the line of scrimmage. That means KJ Edwards needs to get the ball a lot— even when the Aggies are grinding out short gains, he's the man for the job, as he finds creases and hidden yardage all over the place.
By the close of tomorrow's game, Edwards had better be over 100 yards for the game— that would mean that the Aggies found the success on the ground that they've needed to. South Carolina is 52nd in rushing success rate allowed, so middle-of-the-pack compared to some of the defenses A&M has faced (though not nearly as bad as Arkansas, say).
Marcel Reed hits 5 or more explosive passes
Though there will be some opportunity on the ground for the Aggies, the real way to get after the Gamecock defense is through the air— unfortunately, that has been tough for Texas A&M to do against any team this season.
On average, South Carolina allows explosive passes (pass plays that go for 20 or more yards) on just a shade under 10% of attempts. The Aggies have produced explosive passes on a dreadful 6.75% of their attempts, which is 135th in the nation.
The Aggies will need to make something unprecedented happen, in other words, through the air if they want to win this game. It's been really tough sledding for A&M in the pass game, but if they don't do enough to make the South Carolina defense respect their ability to throw the ball, then they won't be able to run it effectively enough, either.
Reed out-rushes Sellers
Especially with lead RB Matt Fuller now out for the season in Columbia, LaNorris Sellers is the chief rushing threat for the Gamecocks that the Aggies need to be worried about. On the other side, Reed has been far less of a rushing threat so far this year than he should have been, and it's hamstrung this A&M offense quite a bit.
If Reed is the more successful QB on the ground in this game, it will go a long way for the Aggies. A&M fans well remember how dire the situation was last time the Aggies were in Columbia when it comes to tackling Sellers, so limiting him in the open field should be a top priority for this defense coming into this one.
This is going to be a tough goal to meet, of course, as Reed's best game is 80 yards on the ground, while Sellers has multiple games over 100 yards, and has reached 96 yards in each of his past two games besides. Kendal Briles has really unlocked Sellers' potential as a rusher, and it will be difficult to stop— but if the Aggies are able to do that, as well as Reed threatening on the ground when A&M has the ball, it will bode very well for their chances.
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