Diving into the offensive and defensive lines ahead of a massive SEC tilt
What a massive this weekend is for Texas A&M football.
Ranked matchup at home against the only other program undefeated in SEC play so far this year.
Alternate uniforms, under the lights.
If you aren’t excited (and probably a little nervous) about this game you may not have a pulse.
This Aggie squad has a massive opportunity ahead of them and as always, it all starts up front with the offensive and defensive lines.
Let’s get into what needs to happen in the trenches for the Aggies to win.
Offensive Line
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To be crystal clear, to this point of the season, LSU has shown they can win a football game in more ways than Texas A&M.
The Tigers have won shootouts. The Tigers have won close defensive battles.
While the passing game has improved exponentially in the past few weeks for the Aggies, I still don’t know if Texas A&M has the capability to keep up with LSU should this game morph into a high-scoring affair.
In this LSU defense, Texas A&M faces a disruptive opponent capable of making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.
The Tigers are tied for seventh in the nation in sacks and Bradyn Swinson and Sai’vion Jones are both playing excellent football.
Meanwhile, the Aggies rank near the top of the NCAA in sacks allowed with Trey Zuhn not having allowed a single sack this season. However the absence of G Chase Bisontis for A&M should not be overlooked.
BOTTOM LINE: Something has to give.
LSU does rank 92nd in Team Passing Efficiency Defense and the backend is susceptible to Weigman if he plays disciplined ball but keeping him upright is a big ask.
However, because I don’t think A&M would fare well in a shootout against the Tigers, I think the Aggies will come in with a run-heavy, ball control style gameplan.
In spite of the absence of Harold Perkins, LSU has seemed to improve in the past few weeks. The emergence of Whit Weeks at linebacker means A&M’s offensive line getting to the second level on blocks will be a major key to success this weekend.
Any way you slice it, this is a tall task for the Texas A&M offensive line.
Defensive Line
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Once again, we have a good-on-good matchup in the trenches as Texas A&M’s pass rushers find themselves matched up against one of the best offensive lines in the country at protecting the passer.
Will Campbell and Emery Jones are probably the best bookends Texas A&M will face this season at the offensive tackle spots and generating pressure against those two will be no small feat for Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart.
The Aggies will likely need to bring extra rushers to heat up Garrett Nussmeier leaving the secondary vulnerable to talented receivers like Kyren Lacy and tight end Mason Taylor.
However, if the Aggies can pressure Nussmeier, the LSU QB has shown a tendency to make questionable throws at times.
As good as this LSU offense has been at protecting the passer, they seem to have struggled in the rushing game – particularly in short-yardage pick ups.
The goal for A&M has to be to hold on third downs when they get the Tigers in obvious rushing situations. I don’t foresee the Aggies being able to completely stifle LSU but slowing the Tigers down and forcing mistakes will mean Texas A&M has a good chance to win this massive contest.
While I still lean towards the Tigers if I’m trying to be objective about this contest, Texas A&M does have a clear path to victory in the trenches should they execute. Play keep away ball on offense and allow Le’Veon Moss to run the clock down on the Tigers while pressuring Nussmeier and forcing him into mistakes on defense.
It’s a massive ask but the driver’s seat in the SEC is right there for the taking.