A&M is a "Tough Match-Up" for us? Or for them?

I keep hearing everyone say that A&M is a tough match up for us, but no one is talking about how we're a tough match up for them. Comparing the two, I'd much rather have our match up than theirs.

We will be able to run and pass on them. They will be able to pass on us.

our defense matches up better against their offense than their defense matches up against us. Also, we've created 9 turnovers. They've created 3. We're #12 in the nation in defensive 3rd down conversion. They're #40. And here's the big one... We are NUMBER ONE in the nation in red zone defense. They are in the 70's.

Fellas, we are going to party like it's 1999 (<---- holy crap, that's a good potential game day sign). Put your big boy pants on. This is a bad match up FOR THEM.

Obviously with a comparison like this you are in sketchy--possibly meaningless--territory, but our Rice games are an interesting comparison. If nothing else it illustrates the difference in style.

Team Stats RICE MSST
First Downs 7 27
Total Plays 48 76
Total Yards 145 533
Passing 84 294
Rushing 61 239
Penalties 3/18 2/30
Possession 24:42 35:18
Turnovers 1 1

Team Stats RICE TA&M
First Downs 28 23
Total Plays 91 59
Total Yards 481 477
Passing 241 309
Rushing 240 168
Penalties 8/66 6/60
Possession 43:14 16:46
Turnovers 0 1

Also, winning at night in Death Valley > winning at night in Columbia.

People keep saying that because Mullen said our D was built to stop Bama, Lsu, Aub, etc...and aTm could give us fits. They're just regurgitating what he said.

I agree with you though, Bell should be able to stay home for this one. He shouldn't be needed.

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Originally Posted by MrKotter

People keep saying that because Mullen said our D was built to stop Bama, Lsu, Aub, etc...and aTm could give us fits. They're just regurgitating what he said.

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That's a bit unfair IMO. It has a lot to do with how our secondary played for parts of the UAB game and the end of LSU. Not just what he said.

I know that's what scares me about them. I think we can beat them, but I'm nervous as all hell

My game plan if I am Kevin Sumlin is to test our safeties in coverage. He probably thinks his OL is good enough to give Hill time to throw the 15 yard+ routes to some huge targets.

If I'm Collins, we are in bringing the heat this week. The corners will have to come with their A game in man coverage because we are going to try to light up Hill and force a bad throw on a route we can jump. We should be doing full on, JLD with everybody standing up and moving around causing confusion. This offense is tempo and timing, so anything you can do to disrupt that is going to pay dividends.

I don't know how to tell them to stop our offense. We are finally doing what Mullen wants to do. Spread them out thin, find the one-on-one matchup, and beat your guy. We finally have the QB that can find the match ups, and the skill position guys to win one-on-one. To beat us, you have to get Dak to do the wrong thing because you are not going to win every individual battle. You can't load the box b/c Dak can sling it. You can't sit back because JRob and Dak will run through you.

I'm so excited about this game.

Like any SEC matchup, it will be about controlling the LOS. I have loads more confidence we can do that on both sides of the ball after the LSU game. Control pace of game with dominating OL performance. Force Kenny into poor throws with our front 6 or 7.

I think the wild card here is that we have an off week to prepare. Without an off week to prepare, a team like A&M will light you up, but with an off week, I just feel like our coaches will have the chance to implement and execute a great game plan. Plus the off week offers our coaches the chance to improve our secondary through practice.

If our offense plays like it did at LSU, we will score on everybody. We will beat A&M by at least 10 points. 42-32

The key, just like last week, will be limiting big plays.
They're not going to drive the field on us and our Red Zone D, as you mentioned, is legit.

Sure hope you are correct but I disagree. We just don't have enough guys good in coverage to slow them down and I don't like having to think we need to score near 50 points to win. I see A&M as the toughest matchup for us the rest of the season. If we pull this one off then the sky is the limit for us IMO.

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Originally Posted by dickiedawg

The key, just like last week, will be limiting big plays.
They're not going to drive the field on us and our Red Zone D, as you mentioned, is legit.

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I agree with this, if we can limit big plays and force teams to score in the red zone, I think we stand a good chance against anyone.

The only thing is, A&M loves to throw quick routes and the get the ball out of Hill's hand. If we play with to much cushion, they will eat us alive.

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Originally Posted by dickiedawg

The key, just like last week, will be limiting big plays.
They're not going to drive the field on us and our Red Zone D, as you mentioned, is legit.

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Another way to go at it is to let them have the big plays and force them to turn it over and make mistakes. The D is not going to be on the field long enough to get tired one way or another, so we should be balling out every play. If we're moving the ball, it may be the best way to win the shootout.

We definitely need to bring pressure constantly. Luckily KFF is no JFF when it comes to running. We should be blitzing constantly.

To your question though, when you talk about A&M, the question is always, can you keep up and can you stop them a few times. With the exception of LSU, everyone has had trouble with A&M. They aren't just a matchup problem for us, they are for everybody. I think the only way we can win is by pressuring like we've never pressured before. 4 great D Linemen won't be enough. We'll need to blitz constantly.

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Originally Posted by ShotgunDawg

The only thing is, A&M loves to throw quick routes and the get the ball out of Hill's hand. If we play with to much cushion, they will eat us alive.

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That's what I am thinking. This offense is all about getting the ball out quickly to a spot where the receiver has momentum. They will eat up 5 yard gains all day if we sit back. I think we have to play man defense, contest the short routes, take opportunities for INTs, and get to Hill if they try to go deep.

They are going to get some big plays no matter how we play. That's fine, but we can break them if we break their rhythm. We're going to score a lot too. We just need to do it at our own pace and get the takeaways on D.

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Originally Posted by ShotgunDawg

The only thing is, A&M loves to throw quick routes and the get the ball out of Hill's hand. If we play with to much cushion, they will eat us alive.

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Bingo! Bump and run will have to be utilized with our corners a good bit to allow our DL to add pressure and force quick throws.

Sumlin was 0-2 last year when facing SEC teams after they had a bye week (it was Bama and LSU, but still... 0-2).

I went back and watched some highlights from their South Carolina game and one thing I noticed was Carolina missed a lot of tackles. If we can tackle well and cause disruption along their OL I think we will be in good shape. If we can bring quick pressure up the middle I think we create a lot of problems for Hill. They'll have some big plays but we just have to respond. Like we did when LSU scored on that fumble recovery.

They will score on our secondary. I just want to stop the run as much as possible. This is a much faster team than LSU and they are better coached than them. I hope to see multiple blitz packages and our defense to win the LOS.

Arkansas will beat them up physically this weekend. I wouldn't be surprised to see Arkansas win that game or keep it real close. Don't sleep on Arkansas because they are a throwback Offense. They physically beat Texas Tech into submission with 2 of the SEC's best Running Backs.

Then aTm has to turn around and come to Starkville. I feel pretty good about this game.

And the next weekend Auburn comes to Starkville after playing LSU.

Love this schedule.

My thinking is on the defensive side is to pressure pressure and more pressure Hill. Even if you don't get a sack, hit Hill. That might make him a little antsy in the pocket and throw his timing off. Just about any quarterback in the SEC can complete passes with little or no pressure, and Hill appears not to be just any other quarterback. Also on their wideouts, play a tight man to man coverage and physical on the line of scrimmage, as it seems like most of their passes are quick short passes. Safeties and Cornerbacks must have their A game. On offense, if we don't get one dimensional (which we shouldn't), I think we will cause their defense a lot of problems. I hope Ross gets the opportunity to have a break out game as well. And please, no more prevent defense with a 3 man rush.

I still think we will have 4 picks against them.