For Texas A&M’s SEC Title hopes remain alive the lines need a big performance on the Plains
We enter the final two weeks of the season.
Texas A&M remains very much in the SEC Title race.
The Aggies can’t get ahead of themselves, however, as they face an Auburn squad desperately hoping to reach bowl eligibility.
The stage is set for a game on the Plains with massive postseason implications for both teams.
Texas A&M hopes to win in order to set up a Lone Star Showdown with first place in the SEC on the line.
Auburn must claim victory in order to have a shot at bowl eligibility.
Let’s dive into the matchups in the trenches and talk about what Texas A&M needs to get done on Saturday to preserve their one-loss record in the SEC.
Offensive Line
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The Texas A&M offensive line has their work cut out for them come Saturday. While Auburn doesn’t possess the pass-rushing threat of a South Carolina or LSU, this is a defensive line that is very stout against the run.
Auburn ranks 13th in the nation in rushing defense.
Generating push up front will be a challenge for the Aggies and we know that the passing game has struggled to get going.
I think this is going to be a plodding affair for the offensive line and I don’t expect them to see much success in the early going.
I think the rushing attack is going to have to be a long-term investment. The Aggies will need to stack up attempts early like a boxer going to the body. The hope is that eventually, those body blows stack up in the late stages allowing Texas A&M to find some success much like the Arkansas game earlier this year.
While the Tigers don’t have a pass rusher quite on the level of Stewart or Kennard at SC, Keldric Faulk is still a problem match-up that Texas A&M will need to solve as I expect a lot of third and long conversions needed, particularly in the first half.
The other piece to watch is how the tight ends factor into this one.
We saw Ohrstom and Watson lead the team in receiving yards last week against New Mexico State. With the Aggie wide receivers struggling to get separation, I think relying on the big bodies as both receivers and extra blockers in the run game will be crucial.
If the Aggies can come away from the first half with 14 points on the board, I think that will set them up well.
Defensive Line
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For the Aggie defensive line, the key is going to be generating pressure and finishing sacks.
A big reason for the failure against South Carolina was the inability to get LaNorris Sellers on the ground.
The good news for Texas A&M?
Auburn ranks 95th in sacks allowed in 2024 and Payton Thorne is not nearly as good at evading pressure as Sellers is.
Auburn also ranks near the bottom of the nation in turnover margin. The pressure on Thorne should also lead to mistakes. If Texas A&M can capitalize on those mistakes and turn them into turnovers, it should help out what I expect to be a struggling Aggie offense.
In the rushing attack, it’s about tackling.
Jarquez Hunter runs hard. Get into the backfield and force Hunter to make early cuts, then swarm to the ball. Texas A&M absolutely cannot afford to miss tackles in this game as the Auburn offense, while struggling to put points up, is still dangerous.
The 12th Man should expect to sweat on Saturday. This is going to come down to the very end. Fundamental, disciplined football will win the day. If the Aggies can have that on the road, they should come away from Auburn with a win.