The Texas A&M Aggies will face the South Carolina Gamecocks next Saturday in Williams-Brice Stadium. Texas A&M has lost its last two games on the road, so a win is critical to keep the Aggies above .500. Based on the last matchup against Alabama, A&M is capable of going toe-to-toe with any team in the nation. The Aggies could definitely win out from this point if they play to their potential in every game. Here’s a quick preview of Texas A&M’s upcoming matchup against South Carolina.
Texas A&M vs. South Carolina Preview
Did the Aggies Adjust their Offense During the Bye Week?
Texas A&M’s offense has improved week-to-week following the loss against Appalachian State. Max Johnson‘s injury means that Haynes King will be the starter for the next few games, but King is capable of every responsibility at the quarterback position.
Against a team like South Carolina on the road, Devon Achane will need to be the star in the game. Hopefully, the offensive line group can be more consistent, so backups like LJ Johnson Jr. and Amari Daniels can also contribute in the backfield.
It’s clear that pass-catchers Evan Stewart and Moose Muhammad III are the star receivers after losing Ainias Smith to injury. However, the wide receivers could improve their yards after catch and limit fumbling the football. These fundamentals are always learned in practice and need to be carried onto the field.
Donovan Green has overtaken Max Wright‘s spot as the primary tight end for the Aggies. Green adds more balance and space to the offense, similar to Jalen Wydermyer‘s role last year. Georgia’s Brock Bowers had a big game against South Carolina in week three, so Green can definitely have a significant impact in this game.
All in all, the performance of Texas A&M’s offense all comes down to playcalling. It all comes down to playing against the strengths of your opponent, and Jimbo Fisher will need to work with Darrell Dickey to ensure there’s an improvement from the first half of the season. The offense can still turn this whole ship around.
Can Texas A&M Stop the Run?
The Aggies allowed nearly 300 rushing yards against Alabama, and Mississippi State had almost 150 rushing yards. The Gamecocks are coming off of a bye week and three straight wins, so Marshawn Lloyd will be rested and ready to run all over the field.
Similar to the Alabama game, it’s important that DJ Durkin utilizes a four-man defensive front instead of a three-man. Spencer Rattler is undoubtedly a capable passer, but he’s had a rather rough start to the season. Still, it’s important that Texas A&M contains him in the pocket, for he can make some big plays. On the road, anything can happen.
Texas A&M definitely needs to win the turnover battle against South Carolina to come out with a victory. The Aggies forced four turnovers in the game against Alabama, and a similar effort will be needed with some help from the secondary. The defensive unit is obviously talented, but the entire group needs to continue to play to its potential every Saturday.
Concluding Thoughts
Texas A&M really needs to win against South Carolina to avoid a three-game losing streak. There are no longer excuses for the Aggies, especially since they had a week to regroup before traveling to Columbia. A loss in this game could put A&M’s chances of bowl eligibility in jeopardy. Regardless, Fisher’s squad can make a difference starting this upcoming Saturday.
