Texas A&M Aggies
2014 Record: 8-5 (won bowl game)
1 Burning Question: Will Texas A&M’s young talent build on last season?
With young returning players at nearly every position on the field, Texas A&M is also equally strong in experience. All of the skill position contributors, except wide receiver Malcome Kennedy, return for the Aggies. While they also return a lot of players on the defensive side of the ball, they simply were not very good there last season. To address this, Texas A&M hired John Chavis from LSU to aid a defense that allowed 216 yards per game against the run and 234.8 passing yards per game. The evolution of the defense and the quarterback battle between Kyle Allen and newcomer Kyler Murray will also play a key role in shaping the season.
Why buy Texas A&M this year? There is little doubt about the track record of Chavis over his career and the juggernauts he has constructed. There is equally little doubt that the Texas A&M defense will improve this season. Plus, it is nearly impossible to get worse than allowing nearly 450 yards per game. The offensive talent and experience on this roster suggest that if the defense evolves over the season, the Aggies could be a scary bunch by the end of the campaign.
2 Key Stats to Pay Attention to
3 — The amount of consecutive 300-yard rushing games the Texas A&M defense allowed to wrap up the regular season last year. The games were against powerhouse rushing teams in Auburn, Missouri, and LSU, but it is clear that the rush defense has to improve for the Aggies to have a chance to compete in the SEC in 2015.
35.2 – Points per game produced by the Aggies’ offense last season. Just as impressive was the 455.4 yards per game they averaged. With the amount of talent they bring back, there is no doubt that Kevin Sumlin’s offense is in good shape. The offense clearly puts a quarterback in a situation to succeed and potentially put up video game-type numbers. The results are likely to be quite similar in 2015, whether with Allen or Murray.
3 Key Games That Will Make or Break the Season
2015 Full Schedule
Sept. 5 — Arizona State
Sep. 12 — Ball State
Sep. 19 — Nevada
Sept. 26 — at Arkansas
Oct. 3 — Mississippi State
Oct. 17 — Alabama
Oct. 24 — at Ole Miss
Oct. 31 — South Carolina
Nov. 7 — Auburn
Nov. 14 — Western Carolina
Nov. 21 — at Vanderbilt
Nov. 28 — at LSU
Saturday, October 3, Mississippi State
Record in the Last 5 Meetings: 2-1
Last Year’s Result: L, 48-31
Why it matters: After a strong season and solid returning class, Mississippi State is the first heavy hitter in the SEC that Texas A&M will see. The game is at home, which always gives the Aggies a fighting chance, even with the memory of last season’s 17-point loss. The game could create quite a springboard for the Aggies if they are able to defeat the Bulldogs, giving them momentum getting into the meat of their schedule.
Saturday, October 17, Alabama
Record in Last 5 Meetings: 1-2
Last Year’s Result: L, 59-0
Why it matters: There aren’t many folks in Aggieland who have forgotten last season’s 59-0 curbstomping. This was A&M’s second straight loss to the Tide, after Johnny Manziel and the Aggies shocked Alabama in Tuscaloosa in 2012 en route to the Heisman Trophy. Alabama’s roster sees some turnover this season and it could provide an opportunity for the youthful Texas A&M squad.
Saturday, November 28, at LSU
Record in Last 5 Meetings: 0-4
Last Year’s Result: L, 23-17
Why it matters: Along with Arkansas and Ole Miss, the game is the only other quality opponent in the conference the Aggies have on the road, as they host Mississippi State, Alabama, and Auburn. However, the success in the rivalry has not gone the way of Texas A&M, as they have lost the last four meetings with the Tigers. The two home losses were by a combined 11 points, while the road losses were by 24 and 17.
4 Key Players
Kyle Allen, QB – After Kenny Hill got off to a hot start for Texas A&M last season, his struggles were also well documented. When the downfall started, Allen took over the starting role and righted the ship. In nine games, Allen completed 61.5 percent of his passes for 1,322 yards and 16 touchdowns to seven interceptions. However, Allen will also have to look over his shoulder this season as well; the Aggies brought in blue chipper Kyler Murray at the position. With all of the talent they have, finding the right guy will be the key.
Tra Carson, RB – Carson, at 235 pounds, has the size and the speed to be successful at the highest level. However, he has not been able to put it all together yet. The former highly-touted recruit appears to be the favorite to claim the bulk of the carries again this season. The success that Carson has could dictate the success of the offense — it would give balance to a solid passing game.
Myles Garrett, DL – Garrett emerged on the scene last season as a freshman, showing that he could be one of the more explosive and fun players in the nation on the defensive line. With his youth, combined with 11.5 sacks and 14.0 tackles for loss, it looks like the sky is the limit for Garrett.
Mike Matthews, OL – Having lost the entire left side of the starting offensive line, the Aggies will be looking toward Matthews for stability. While he may not have the NFL hype of tackle Germain Ifedi, Matthews certainly has the experience and pedigree. The senior is the brother of Jake and the son of Bruce, both Aggie stars in their own right.
5 Bold Predictions
5. Kyle Allen will win the starting job, but expect Kyler Murray to see some snaps as well.
Allen had a really strong 2014 season in Sumlin’s offensive system, but it is hard to dispute the amount of excitement and hype that Murray brings into the program. As the dual-threat quarterback the offense lacked last season, it will be quite tempting for Sumlin to look in his direction; just don’t expect it to start the season. However, at the first signs of adversity for Allen, the voices will get louder.
4. Myles Garrett will be on the All-SEC first team.
After his monster freshman season, Garrett has the makings of a player who could deliver an all-time season in 2015. If he even has the same caliber of season as he did last year, Garrett enters the following campaign toward the top of NFL draft boards. Expect Garrett to get similar hype to what Jadeveon Clowney did. Garrett has the talent to be in the same sentence as Clowney for certain, showing that he has the talent to join him as a member of the first team All-SEC record books.
3. The Aggies will have three or four 50-catch receivers.
Last season, Texas A&M had two receivers who grabbed over 50 passes and two more that had at least 46. While there is some improvement expected in the running game, there is also no doubt that the offense will still let the ball fly. With an improved defense, it is also not always going to be necessary to make it fly as much. However, we all know that Sumlin likes to throw, and that will not change anytime soon.
2. The Aggies will be much improved defensively.
Sure, this is not a bold prediction on the surface. It is quite hard to not improve on a squad that allowed 450.8 yards and 28.1 points per game in 2014. The Aggies certainly went out and got their coordinator to turn it around. What is difficult to understand is that the players don’t change overnight. However, with experience and a good, new voice, the squad will improve. It is unlikely to ever be the strength of the squad, but an improved defense will make them a better team and a contender.
1. Texas A&M will finish in the top three in the SEC West.
Along with all of the improvements and returning talent, the Aggies also have all of the other top contenders in the SEC West in College Station. One of the stronger halves of a conference in the nation, the SEC West certainly comes with hype and a lofty perch. The Aggies will have a special season if they can crack the top three of the division.
