5 keys items which I think will determine how the season goes and where the program is heading
5. The Back Seven
Whether it has been scheme or talent or both, the back seven have been an area of concern for A&M for years. I think this "unit" is still a year away from being SEC ready, but improvement in this area is absolutely vital for the program. To underscore the issues, look at the draft picks from the "back" seven since 2000:
4. Running backs
The forgotten position. With just four (4) 100 yard games by running backs in the past three years, this position is primed for a breakout. Kyle Allen will never be the running threat JFF was (no one could be). This is the year for the RB's to shine. Solid production from this group is essential.
3. Completion percentage
Kyle Allen had a .615 completion percentage in 2014. Nothing to scoff at, and for a freshman, pretty salty. Improvement here would be a strong indicator of continued and impressive improvement on Allen's part, but also the receivers who dropped far too many balls last year.
2. Offensive Scheme, Play Calling, Tempo
For me, this was the most frustrating part watching the Ags play last year. From the continual plays into the sidelines and ignoring the middle of the field, to the incomprehensible TE screen on the goal line, the play calling and scheme was frustrating to say the least. More than anything, I hope to see a return to the high tempo offense, where A&M runs more plays than the opponents. The trend is heading the wrong way. Teams are slowing A&M down.
2012
Number of Plays - 1,025 to 972 (A&M +53 plays)
Time of Possession - 365.95 to 414.05 (A&M -48.1minutes)
Plays per minute - 2.8 to 2.34
2013
Number of Plays - 954 to 973 (-19)
Time of Possession - 347.75 to 432.25 (-84.5 minutes)
Plays per minute - 2.74 to 2.25
2014
Number of Plays - 935 to 992 (-57)
Time of Possession - 341.3 to 438.7 (-97.4 minutes)
Plays per minute - 2.73 to 2.26
This is reflective of both offense and defensive issues. We need to speed it up and get more 4 and outs. I will be curious to see how Coach Dave Christensen influences this offense.
1. Kyle Field - Home Field Advantage once again
Name the last SEC home game A&M won . . .
November 9, 2013 - Mississippi State.
0-3 at home in SEC play last year.
Only 4-7 in SEC play at home.
Compare
Home vs. Road vs. Neutral
2014 – 3-3 3-2 2-0
2013 – 6-2 2-2 1-0
2012 – 4-2 6-0 1-0
It is time to turn this disturbing home performance around.
2014 – 3-3 (0-3 SEC)
2013 – 6-2 (2-2 SEC)
2012 – 4-2 (2-2 SEC)
2011 – 4-3
2010 – 6-1
2009 – 5-2
2008 – 2-5
2007 – 6-1
2006 – 4-3
2005 – 4-2
2004 – 5-1
2003 – 5-3
2002 – 3-4
2001 – 5-1
2000 – 4-2
7 home, 3 road, 2 neutral. This season turns on how we play at home. Period.
Bonus
A&M is currently in the longest conference championship drought in school history. Time for that to end.
5. The Back Seven
Whether it has been scheme or talent or both, the back seven have been an area of concern for A&M for years. I think this "unit" is still a year away from being SEC ready, but improvement in this area is absolutely vital for the program. To underscore the issues, look at the draft picks from the "back" seven since 2000:
- Jason Webster – 2000 (2)
- Jason Glenn – 2001 (6)
- Michael Jameson – 2001 (6)
- Terrence Kiel - 2003 (2)
- Sammy Davis – 2003 (1)
- Jordan Pugh – 2010 (6)
- Von Miller – 2011 (1)
- Terrence Frederick – 2012 (7)
- Sean Porter – 2013 (4)
4. Running backs
The forgotten position. With just four (4) 100 yard games by running backs in the past three years, this position is primed for a breakout. Kyle Allen will never be the running threat JFF was (no one could be). This is the year for the RB's to shine. Solid production from this group is essential.
3. Completion percentage
Kyle Allen had a .615 completion percentage in 2014. Nothing to scoff at, and for a freshman, pretty salty. Improvement here would be a strong indicator of continued and impressive improvement on Allen's part, but also the receivers who dropped far too many balls last year.
2. Offensive Scheme, Play Calling, Tempo
For me, this was the most frustrating part watching the Ags play last year. From the continual plays into the sidelines and ignoring the middle of the field, to the incomprehensible TE screen on the goal line, the play calling and scheme was frustrating to say the least. More than anything, I hope to see a return to the high tempo offense, where A&M runs more plays than the opponents. The trend is heading the wrong way. Teams are slowing A&M down.
2012
Number of Plays - 1,025 to 972 (A&M +53 plays)
Time of Possession - 365.95 to 414.05 (A&M -48.1minutes)
Plays per minute - 2.8 to 2.34
2013
Number of Plays - 954 to 973 (-19)
Time of Possession - 347.75 to 432.25 (-84.5 minutes)
Plays per minute - 2.74 to 2.25
2014
Number of Plays - 935 to 992 (-57)
Time of Possession - 341.3 to 438.7 (-97.4 minutes)
Plays per minute - 2.73 to 2.26
This is reflective of both offense and defensive issues. We need to speed it up and get more 4 and outs. I will be curious to see how Coach Dave Christensen influences this offense.
1. Kyle Field - Home Field Advantage once again
Name the last SEC home game A&M won . . .
November 9, 2013 - Mississippi State.
0-3 at home in SEC play last year.
Only 4-7 in SEC play at home.
Compare
Home vs. Road vs. Neutral
2014 – 3-3 3-2 2-0
2013 – 6-2 2-2 1-0
2012 – 4-2 6-0 1-0
It is time to turn this disturbing home performance around.
2014 – 3-3 (0-3 SEC)
2013 – 6-2 (2-2 SEC)
2012 – 4-2 (2-2 SEC)
2011 – 4-3
2010 – 6-1
2009 – 5-2
2008 – 2-5
2007 – 6-1
2006 – 4-3
2005 – 4-2
2004 – 5-1
2003 – 5-3
2002 – 3-4
2001 – 5-1
2000 – 4-2
7 home, 3 road, 2 neutral. This season turns on how we play at home. Period.
Bonus
A&M is currently in the longest conference championship drought in school history. Time for that to end.
