The Florida Gators are back on the road in College Station, Texas to take on the Texas A&M Aggies. The Florida Gators are coming into this matchup with a 2-0 record and a home win over the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Texas A&M Aggies come into this game with a 1-1 record and coming off a loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide. Here is the Florida Gators vs. Texas A&M Aggies preview.
The Gators have had one of the most prolific offenses in the country in the first two games while the defense has really struggled. The Aggies have an experienced offense led by their senior quarterback who’ll be looking to improve from his last performance.
Texas A&M Aggies
The Texas A&M Aggies are back in Kyle Field for this Top 25 matchup. Texas A&M is led by their head coach, Jimbo Fisher, who’s in his third year as the Aggies head coach. The Aggies offense is led by their senior quarterback Kellen Mond.
Mond has had a solid start to the 2020 season. Mond has completed 42 out of 72 passes for 507 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception. He also has 37 rushing yards on 15 carries.
Sophomore running backs Isaiah Spiller and Ainias Smith have had great starts to their season. Spiller leads the Aggies in rushing with 142 yards on 19 carries. Smith has rushed for 80 yards on 15 carries and a scored a touchdown.
Smith has also made a huge impact as a receiver and is Texas A&M’s leading receiver. He has eight receptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Jalen Wydermyer has also been a huge part in the Aggies passing attack. Wydermyer has 10 catches for 101 yards. The only other receiving touchdown comes from sophomore wide receiver Caleb Chapman.
The Texas A&M defense is coming off a rough game against one of the top offenses in the country. They’ll have another tough test with a Florida offense that seems to be firing on all cylinders.
Senior linebacker Buddy Johnson leads the Aggies in tackles with 19 tackles on the season including 10 solo. They have also had some solid production coming from safety Leon O’Neal.
The junior defensive back has been productive in the first two games of the season. O’Neal has 11 tackles with two tackles for loss and an interception. As for pass-rushing, the Aggies will likely count on redshirt-senior Michael Clemons. He has 2.5 out of three sacks the Aggies have on the season.
Florida Gators
The Florida Gators have looked very strong offensively thanks to their redshirt-senior quarterback Kyle Trask. The Texas native has been incredible in his first two games of the season. Trask has completed 51 out of 71 passes for 684 yards, 10 touchdowns and an interception.
The Gators rushing attack has had a balanced attack between two ball carries. Dameon Pierce and Malik Davis have the two running backs Florida has called upon so far. Pierce leads the Gators in rushing with 105 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown. Davis has 58 yards on 11 carries.
Florida has also done a nice job of spreading the ball around when it comes to the passing game. However, two Gators stand out compared to the rest. Tight end Kyle Pitts has looked like the biggest mismatch at the start of the season. Pitts has 12 receptions for 227 yards and six touchdowns.
Senior wide receiver Kadarius Toney has also made a nice impact on Florida’s offense. Toney has 11 catches for 145 yards and two touchdowns. Other receivers to keep an eye on are Trevon Grimes, Jacob Copeland, and Trent Whittemore.
On defense, the Florida Gators have looked lost. They’re having a tough time getting set, knowing their assignments, and tackling. This has not been the defense many expected to see from the Gators. Even with their struggles, Florida has had some Gators be productive.
Linebacker Ventrell Miller has been outstanding with 21 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, and a fumble recovery. Defensive end Zachary Carter leads in the Gators in sacks with a 1.5. Shawn Davis has been good with nine tackles and a pass breakup. Brenton Cox has been very good as well with 13 tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and a three QB hurries.
5 Players to Watch: Texas A&M Aggies
- S Leon O’Neal
- RB Ainias Smith
- DE Michael Clemons
- QB Kellen Mond
- LB Buddy Johnson
5 Players to Watch: Florida Gators
- QB Kyle Trask
- LB Ventrell Miller
- TE Kyle Pitts
- DE Zachary Carter
- WR Trevon Grimes
5 Predictions:
- QB Kyle Trask throws for over 275 yards and three touchdowns.
- Texas A&M rushes for over 150 yards.
- Florida’s defense forces one turnover.
- Texas A&M’s defense holds Florida under 125 rushing yards.
- Florida Gators beats Texas A&M Aggies 38-27.
