Can the trenches repeat their performance in The Swamp?
For the first time since 2021, Texas A&M came away with a road victory after smothering Florida in the Swamp thanks to a dominant rushing attack.
The Aggies rushed for over 300 yards, averaging over five yards a carry. The defense stepped up as well, allowing just 2.1 yards per carry to the Gator offense.
Now they hope to keep that momentum going against a solid Bowling Green side coming off an early bye week. These Falcons gave Penn State all they could handle back in Week Two.
What needs to happen in the trenches for Texas A&M to avoid a close call at home? Let’s dive in.
Offensive Line
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In the aforementioned Penn State game, the Nittany Lions averaged 6.3 yards per carry against this Falcons defense. I didn’t see anything from Bowling Green that suggests concern for Texas A&M’s offensive line. Going back to the beginning of the season against FCS Fordham, Bowling Green surrendered nearly 200 yards rushing.
The Aggies should be able to establish themselves in the rushing attack once more.
In some other good news for the Aggies on offense, Bowling Green’s best pass rusher from a year ago was Cashius Howell. With Howell now on the roster at A&M, it remains to be seen who will step up for the Falcons in the pass rush.
The offense should have no trouble finding success against Bowling Green. Expect Collin Klein to lean on the offensive line early to get Moss, Daniels and Smith established in the run game regardless of who starts at quarterback.
I’d expect the passing attack to be used sparingly as long as the Aggies can jump out to an early lead against the Falcons.
Defensive Line
Photo by Chris Leduc/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The challenge for Texas A&M exists on the defensive side of the ball. The Bowling Green offense has looked potent through their first two games of the season.
Against Fordham, it was the rushing attack that carried the day.
Against Penn State, former Mizzou QB Connor Bazelak had a lot of success throwing the ball.
I’d expect an aerial attack from Bowling Green on Saturday based on how good the Texas A&M defensive line is. Coming off of that Florida performance, it seems like the holes in this defense are in the back end.
Bowling Green’s biggest offensive weapon is tight end Harrold Fannin Jr. I’m not sure how Texas A&M is going to choose to match up with Fannin as he feels like the most dynamic TE the Aggies have faced this season.
That means rushing the passer is going to be a major key. I can’t help but wonder if Cashius Howell’s familiarity with his former team might help out in the film room in preparation for this one.
As long as the rushing defense we saw against Florida is the true indicator of what this unit is, I’d expect the Aggies to get Bowling Green behind the chains early. From there, Texas A&M can heat up Bazelak and force mistakes similar to the ones we saw from him towards the end of the Penn State contest.
Texas A&M is currently favored by 23 points against Bowling Green. I think this game will be closer than that. While the Aggies should still win by multiple scores, the back-end lapses against play action in particular concern me.
However, I’m expecting another dominant performance from within the trenches to carry the day for the Aggies.
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