Texas A&M Aggies vs. Florida Gators Preview

After a disappointing loss to the LSU Tigers, the Florida Gators will look to rebound as they will host the Texas A&M Aggies. The Florida Gators will need to make a lot of adjustments on offense and defense before they play Saturday night. While Florida lost 17-16 to LSU, Texas A&M gave Alabama a good game but still lost to the Tide 27-19. The Gators will need to come with their A game and really come out of the gates guns blazing. The offense and defense need to make some adjustments for this game as the Aggies are one of the top teams in the SEC. Here is the Texas A&M-Florida game preview.

Texas A&M Aggies

The Aggies are coming into this game with a lot of confidence knowing that they kept their last game close with the Crimson Tide. Texas A&M has had a lot of success on offense this season with freshman quarterback Kellen Mond. The 6’2” dual-threat quarterback struggled early on in the year but has improved a ton since his then. Mond does have some help with really solid running game and a future first-round pick wide receiver. Running back Trayveon Williams has continued to show that he’s one of the top running backs in the SEC. The sophomore has 81 carries on the year with 422 yards and five touchdowns. While the running game is good, the Aggies biggest offensive threat is their WR Christian Kirk. The junior receiver has 27 receptions for 316 yards and five touchdowns. Florida’s defense must double cover him as he can cause havoc.

When a defense loses an elite player like Myles Garrett, you’d expect them to take a step back. Outside of the UCLA game, the Texas A&M defense has been pretty sound all season. The defensive line has done a good job of slowing down the run and will look to continue that trend as the Gators will try to run the game at least 40 times against the Aggies. The linebacker play has also been a lot better than what most people expected them to be. The secondary is the biggest issue for the Aggies defense but that might not be much of an issue due to Florida’s issue at quarterback. If the Aggies can stop the Florid rushing attack, they’ll put themselves in good shape to knock off the Florida Gators at the Swamp.

Florida Gators

The Florida Gators must move on from their lackluster performance against the Tigers and prepare themselves for the Aggies. The first thing the Florida offense must do is call in better and more creative plays. The Gators coaching staff call basic plays that are easy to defend but that needs to change. Starting quarterback Feleipe Franks has been handcuffed all season long and it’s about time to take them off. If the Florida coaching staff is afraid he’s going to make mistakes, then put in someone else. Franks has a lot of arm talent but you need to let him make plays. Luckily for Franks, he’ll have a running game to lean back on. Malik Davis and Lamical Perine must continue to stay hot if they want to move the ball on offense. The offensive line will be key for the Gators in this game.

While the Florida defense hasn’t played horribly, but they still have some work to do for the Aggies. One of the biggest adjustments the defense needs to make is send in blitzes. For some reason, Florida’s defensive coordinator Randy Shannon has an issue blitzing the quarterback. The Gators have a very solid defensive line but sending four guys at once isn’t going to apply a ton of pressure. They must put pressure on Mond and force him to make bad decisions. He’s a freshman quarterback and he is likely to make some freshman mistakes and force a bad ball with a defender rushing him. If the Gators defense can force a few turnovers, it will most definitely give the Gators some momentum and help the Florida offense. Sending more blitzes could be one of the keys that could give the Gators a win Saturday night.

Five Players to Watch: Texas A&M

  1. WR Christian Kirk
  2. QB Kellen Mond
  3. LB Tyrel Dodson
  4. RB Trayveon Williams
  5. LB Otaro Alaka

FIve Players to Watch: Florida

  1. RB Malik Davis
  2. RB Lamical Perine
  3. DE Jordan Sherit
  4. WR Kadarius Toney (if he plays)
  5. LB David Reese

Five Predictions:

  1. Florida rushes for two touchdowns.
  2. Kellen Mond throws for two touchdowns.
  3. Florida’s defense forces a turnover.
  4. Christian Kirk gets in the end zone.
  5. Florida squeezes past Texas A&M 24-21.

 

Main Photo Credit:

Florida Gators running back Malik Davis (20) in action during the college football game between the LSU Tigers and Florida Gators. LSU defeated Florida 17-16. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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