2017 MMR Week 4: Aggies vs Hogs (at JerryWorld)
Here piggy piggy piggy…
Well, now that we are getting ready to start the real football season, let’s look back at what we learned about the Aggies over the first three games of the season.
Everyone knows how Texas A&M can win games…everyone
It is not a mystery anymore. The quarterback will dictate the outcome of the game for Texas A&M, plain and simple. It’s unfortunate, looking back at the first two and half quarters of the UCLA game, that the Aggies could have really done some damage with a strong, pro-style quarterback under the center and with a strong running game to keep the defenses guessing on what the Aggies will do. But a season-ending injury to Nick Starkel brought down what could have been a legitimate run at the SEC West for the Aggies.
What gives me pause after game two against Nicholls State was the play of Kellen Mond after a full week of
game preparation. Clearly, Kellen Mond was having difficulty adjusting to the college game, and his struggles earned him a spot on the bench for Jake Hubinek to come in and solidify the win and the strategy for A&M to succeed this year, a throwing quarterback that likes the pocket, with a strong game behind the line. Then the injury bug became contagious…
For week three against ULL, everyone across Aggieland held their breath as Kellen Mond returned to the field because an injury had sidelined Jake Hubinek. We were also nursing injuries to running back Trayveon Williams along with offensive lineman Connor Lanfear. What we saw on the field was hope, well , in the second half at least. After a lackluster start and a first half deficit, the Aggies woke up, specifically Mond. Mond ended the game with 301 yards passing, with three touchdowns and one interception. Considering most of this came in the second half, Mond appears to be getting a better grasp of the game in front of him. Now, no need to start the Heisman voting just yet, this is ULL. But what it gives the Aggie faithful is hope, that as Mond improves, and Hubinke heals, the game plan could come together regardless of who is playing quarterback.
Now, how do the Aggies beat the Hogs?
Needless to say the Razorbacks are motivated and pissed about this game. They have lost this matchup for the last 5 years…they had chances to win in 4 of those 5 losses, but let it slip away. The Hogs are going to throw everything with the kitchen sink, and maybe Jerry Jones might suit up if it means his alma mater has a chance of winning at “JerryWorld”. The key question for the Razorbacks will be whether their defense could stop the running game, and whether A&M’s passing game can respond. That is THE question that will determine the winner of this game.
If Texas A&M can get the passing game going, it will force the Arkansas defense to play a little deeper to respect of wide receivers, and allow the running game for the Aggies to not only move the ball, but keep drives going that chew up the clock…basic offensive success. With that game plan, Arkansas will be playing score for score, and I think A&M can keep up with that pace, or at least keep the game very close.
However, if Texas A&M struggles with the passing game, then the team with the least mistakes will win, and I like Arkansas’s chances to win. A struggling passing game forces Texas A&M to run the ball, and all I have to do is replay the 4th quarter of the UCLA game and the first half of the Nicholls State game to show you what will happen. We will play very short offensive drives, stress our defense to play more reps, and hand the game over the Hogs.
I like the Aggies chances, I think this team is starting to embrace the underdog identity because no one is giving the Aggies much chance to do anything except get to 7 wins and make a lower tier bowl. The Aggies have too much talent and skills to let this one slip by them.
Final Score
Arkansas 22
Texas A&M 30