(Photo: Fox Sports)
Saturday Spotlight
(3) Texas Longhorns at (20) Texas A&M Aggies
Texas: What loss? It seems so long ago when they lost to the Georgia Bulldogs and since then, they’ve won their last four games. Truthfully, I didn’t know what to expect from them this year and understandably so considering it was a new chapter for them switching conferences from the Big-12 to the SEC where the boys become men. It’s been one of the toughest conferences in the country for years now and some of the last few national title winners have come from the SEC (Georgia, LSU, Alabama). One thing I will say is they have handled their own in their first year in the conference and I’ve been high on them. Last year, they were a playoff team and this year, they are looking to build from that and climb the ladder as this team hasn’t won a National Title since the 2005 season. This fanbase knows it and I know it: It’s time to bring another trophy back to Austin. The Texas Longhorns have been one of the two best teams that I’ve seen in the country this year. As a team, they have great speed, the passing attack is one of the best in the sport and they play defense. If anything, they have been more methodical than explosive meaning they know how to pick those spots to attack the defense and they can also slow a game down and run the football. Just how good has the defense been? They allow 249 yards a game to the opponent and are ranked second in total defense. Tonight, they renew a rivalry with an instate showdown in College Station.
Texas A&M: When I made my weekly radio appearances on the Betting Window and College Football Showdown, I asked this one question and that was would they be in this position if Jimbo Fisher was still coaching them? I have the utmost respect in the world for Jimbo, but as a wise man, I know that they are paying him NOT to coach, and that speaks volumes. Mike Elko comes in and look at how they’ve improved. There has been a common denominator in their losses and when they played Notre Dame, South Carolina and just last week, the Auburn Tigers, they were powered over. Those were also the three times they couldn’t hold the opposing rushing attack to 125 yards or fewer. One decision the Aggies made was starting Marcel Reed because it sparked up their offense and bolstered their rushing attack and that’s been their theme this year. A strong rushing attack and defense. Now, their defense may not be as strong as some of the other units in the nation, but they can bottle up the run as I mentioned, where they struggle is in pass coverage which is shocking to me considering they have such a strong defensive line. I”m also concerned with their Offensive Line and the lack of pass protection for the Quarterback. They return home for the finale tonight with the Texas Longhorns in town.
Texas X-Factor: Jaydon Blue– He adds another element of balance to their offense. Steve Sarkisian knows how to use his weapons and when Jaydon gets the ball, he’s doing something with it every time. Jaydon reminds me of another former Texas Running Back and that’s Jamaal Charles. It’s the shiftiness mixed with the burst that allows him to get into each tier of the defense. He’s a smooth runner and last season, he kept Texas in that playoff game against Washington singlehandedly. He can account for 175 scrimmage yards and impact the game as both a runner and receiver.
Texas A&M X-Factor: Shemar Turner– This Aggies defensive line is a punishing group that is anchored by Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart. How about the guys on the interior of the D line? Let’s meet Shemar Turner. He isn’t your typical interior guy and quite honestly, he’s built as if he should be playing off the edge. Shemar has a strong burst with the ability to rip through and he ends up in the backfield. He plays with the same energy against the run and pass. I expect him to have an impact tonight.
Final Thoughts: A rivalry is being renewed tonight! This will be these two teams’ first time playing one another since 2011, we are talking 13 years since their last meeting. This game is extremely important for both of these two hopes of making the playoffs and the winner of this game will make their way to Atlanta to face the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship. I’m watching the Texas Offensive Line against this defensive front of the Aggies. In their eight wins, Texas A&M has held their opponents to 95 yards rushing. One thing Steve Sarkisian often brings up is playing with emotion, but don’t be emotional. Resisting that emotional wave will be key for the Longhorns tonight. This is a very hungry Aggies defense that prides itself on forcing the takeaway, which means it’s key for Texas to take care of the football and not allow this defense an opportunity. For Texas A&M, survive the first quarter as Texas has been an outstanding team to open the game up this year. Next, defend the perimeter. This Longhorns offense is most effective going east and west. It’s key for the Aries to wrap up on those perimeter plays and not let a one or two-yard play turn into a large gain and lastly, pressure Quinn Ewers! He isn’t the greatest at escaping pressure. Texas has one of the best offensive lines in the country but can be vulnerable to speed and stunts, especially on the right side. Getting Texas in obvious passing situations will work in their favor. I like the Texas Longhorns to win this game and set up a rematch with the Georgia Bulldogs next weekend.
Prediction: Texas 30, Texas A&M 21
