No. 11 Texas A&M have put themselves in a position to make some noise down the stretch. With a 7-2 record, 4-2 in conference play, the Aggies sit one game back of Alabama in the SEC West. Since TAMU pulled the monumental upset over the Crimson Tide, that means they still have a shot at the SEC title game with a little help. but they have to win out. Standing in their way this Saturday are the 15th ranked Rebels of Ole Miss. Led by Matt Corral and a high powered offense, Ole Miss is looking to finish the season strong and possibly slip into a New Years Six Bowl Game.
Can Texas A&M Stay Hot?
After back to back losses to Arkansas and Mississippi State, Texas A&M has caught fire. An impressive four game winning streak started with an upset of then No. 1 Alabama and continued last week with a 20-3 win over Auburn. The Aggies offense has finally caught up to their elite defense, resulting in big win after big win. The challenge is to maintain the momentum against yet another formidable SEC opponent.
The key to TAMU’s offensive success all year has been their rushing attack. Running backs Isaiah Spiller and Devon Archane make up a two headed beast in the backfield, rushing for a combined 1,579 yards so far this year. Quarterback Zach Calzada has grown into his role as a game manager, making the throws necessary to keep drives alive and defenses honest. It could potentially be a big game for both running backs, as Ole Miss gives up an average of 194 yards per game this season. With that in mind, the strategy is pretty obvious on the offensive side of the ball for Texas A&M. Keep running the ball, control the clock, and keep the Ole Miss offense on the sideline for as long as possible.
Defensively, the key to defending Lane Kiffin’s fast paced offense is keeping up with the pace. Ole Miss moves at perhaps the fastest pace in the country offensively, and it is easy to get caught flat footed early in the game. If the Aggies defense can weather the storm early and get a chance to settle in, there is no doubt that can at least slow down the Rebels. TAMU boasts the second best scoring defense in the country, giving up only 14.6 points per game. There is no obvious holes in the unit, and when it is playing its best football, Texas A&M’s defense can be absolutely suffocating.
How the Rebels Pull the Upset
Ole Miss enters the game as a slight underdog against the Aggies. However, the Rebels are one of the best equipped teams in the SEC to derail Texas A&M. With an almost perfectly balanced attack, Lane Kiffin’s offense can hurt opposing defenses on the ground or through the air. The unit averages 237 yards rushing and 286 yards passing, meaning they have multiple ways to break down the stout defense they will face Saturday.
The cornerstone of the rebels offense is quarterback Matt Corral. Corral, who has racked up 2,527 yards and 16 touchdowns with only 2 interceptions, runs the run/pass option frequently. His decision making is paramount, and so far, he is finding a way to make the right choices. he also leads the team in rushing with 528 yards, while three separate running backs are over the 400 yard mark. This gives Ole Miss a multitude of ways to beat defenses. These weapons, coupled with their break neck pace, give the Rebels a chance to confuse and disorient the A&M defense, and find the end-zone with regularity.
Defensively, Ole Miss has to find a way to stop the run. The Aggies will look to bleed clock and control the game, which would be a nightmare for Corral and company. This means stacking the box and blitzing frequently. If Calzada can win the game with his arm, then so be it, but Ole Miss has to force the issue. The offense is going to need every chance possible to put up points, so getting off the field is paramount. Of course, that’s easier said than done, but look for the Rebels to try and force Calzada to make more throws than he is comfortable with.
Prediction
This game is an interesting styles clash. On one side, you have an Ole Miss team who looks to strike quickly. On the other side, Texas A&M brings a heavy run game and a stout defense. Typically in these types of matchups, the team who plays the better defense is the most reliable option. I think that trend continues again on Saturday, and Texas A&M grabs the win, 28-17
Follow us on Twitter!
Visit our Shop!