2016 MMR Week 4: Aggies vs Piggies @ DeathStar (aka JerryWorld)
Here Piggy Piggy Piggy…
Well, we’re back to the game that exposes Texas A&M’s season of hype every season (well, except for JFF’s season) in the SEC, the Southwest Classic at
JerryWorld!
I mentioned at the beginning of the season that wins would be there for the Aggies, but don’t look for any style points. You saw last week that 5 field goals kept the offense productive because any points was better than what Auburn was getting. This week will be more of the same…tough, unsexy, boring, winnable football for the Aggies.
Arkansas is riding high, coming into the game 3-0. They, like us, are not looking to win with style. Arkansas brings in one of the biggest offensive lines in college football, averaging 6’6” and 316 pounds. That’s the average of the five lineman, we’re talking 1580 pounds of mass to get through. Arkansas needs this type of protection in order to run their offense. Think of the 1950’s, where it all about running left, right, and up the middle. Arkansas is going to literally hog the ball as long as they can. That’s the simplest type of defense…keep the ball away from the opponent’s offense. You will hear running back Rawleigh Williams name all day long for the piggies. The passing game is simply present to prevent a team from stacking 11 people on the line. But with a tough and staunch running game, you will see time of possession tip to Arkansas’s favor, along with a defensive line being run down by the fourth quarter.
Having said all of this, the plan is pretty simple for Texas A&M, clog the holes, close the gaps, and get into the back field to stop the running game behind the line of scrimmage. You will know things are clicking the moment you start to see Arkansas in 3rd-and-long situations, forcing them to pass. Now, Arkansas will get a few drives going at the beginning of the game simply because they are so fresh and ready to hit, but the second half is when the game will be won.
Texas A&M is coming in still trying to settle into their offense. People have overlooked that A&M started the season with a new QB, new offensive coordinator, and new starting running backs, and much different line that what the Aggies have been used to over the past couple of season. Things are starting to come together, but every week their opponent gets a little harder. I am curious to see what the Aggies put together for a game plan against the Hogs. Will Texas A&M look to get on the board quickly, and start to tire the offensive line sooner? This could backfire because it would also mean the Aggie defense would be on the field longer. A&M could look at trying to balance time of possession, but that could also backfire because the team that has he ball last could win the game. A&M also has to figure out how to score touchdowns instead of field goals. Not that I hate points, but with so many trips to the red zone yielding field goals, those incremental four point swings add up quickly, and could cost the team a game.
This is a very straightforward game plan for both teams. Arkansas will do what they do, run the ball behind the mountain of lineman and wear down the Aggies. The Aggies have the talent to counter every score with a score of their own. The clock becomes the enemy if neither team can stop the other, which plays into Arkansas’s game plan, but Arkansas has had this game plan for several years now and they still end up with the loss. No difference here, an ugly win, but a win, for the Aggies…in regulation!!
Texas A&M 36
Arkansas 20