that was a horrible half for the offense and an outstanding one for the defense. The Aggies have some work to do, but they can definitely take this ballgame.
Offensively, they're playing sloppy -- the receivers especially. They've got four drops, three by Jalen Wydermyer. They're going to keep going to him, but that's got to stop. Ainias Smith dropped a first down. They're 0-6 on third downs, and that's abysmal.
The running game is starting to get going. The Aggies are averaging 5.1 yards a carry, and that's where they need to keep going in the second half. Nothing cute, nothing outside -- right up the gut. The holes are starting to open, and you could certainly see that on Devon Achane's carry on the next-to-last drive of the half.
Zach Calzada has not been helped by the drops, but his numbers are really bad: 6-16 for 76 yards. Bad Zach definitely made an appearance late in the half, scrambling when he didn't need to and not running when you could have gotten a first down. The Aggies need to get the backs involved in the passing game and continue to run slants on Auburn, because they keep abandoning the middle of the field. Auburn is sneaking up to limit the run, and that should open up seam routes for Wydermyer and play action. But shoot, if you can keep averaging 5.1 yards a carry, go right at them.
Defensively, A&M has been dominant. Auburn has 108 total yards, and they're averaging 2.5 yards a carry. The Tigers started off running the ball well, but then A&M figured out the toss sweep and eliminated it. They're doing what they need to, controlling the line of scrimmage and making tackles one-on-one. The linebackers, Edgerrin Cooper especially, have been very good so far.
The defensive line is starting to control things. The holes aren't there when the fits are right and they've been making plays right at the line. The pass rush has been really good, mostly with three down linemen so far. Tyree Johnson has been unstoppable, just blowing around Auburn's tackles.
When the Aggies have blitzed, they've been really smart. They've thrown a bunch of different looks at Nix, and when they attack, they've kept him contained. He's 9-16 for just 66 yards, but more importantly, he has 4 carries for -1 yard. That's how you've got to get it done.
The defense is getting the job done. They just need the offense to help out a little bit.
Special teams have been not good. Seth Small missed a field goal and Ainias hasn't been able to get going. The refs clearly blew a roughing call, but Devon Achane's decision to come out of the end zone and only get to the 10 flipped the field for essentially a quarter.
This game is going to come down to who wants it more. Historically, Auburn has taken games like this from A&M. Last year, A&M came back and took it from them. We'll have to see which Aggie team shows up in the second half.
Offensively, they're playing sloppy -- the receivers especially. They've got four drops, three by Jalen Wydermyer. They're going to keep going to him, but that's got to stop. Ainias Smith dropped a first down. They're 0-6 on third downs, and that's abysmal.
The running game is starting to get going. The Aggies are averaging 5.1 yards a carry, and that's where they need to keep going in the second half. Nothing cute, nothing outside -- right up the gut. The holes are starting to open, and you could certainly see that on Devon Achane's carry on the next-to-last drive of the half.
Zach Calzada has not been helped by the drops, but his numbers are really bad: 6-16 for 76 yards. Bad Zach definitely made an appearance late in the half, scrambling when he didn't need to and not running when you could have gotten a first down. The Aggies need to get the backs involved in the passing game and continue to run slants on Auburn, because they keep abandoning the middle of the field. Auburn is sneaking up to limit the run, and that should open up seam routes for Wydermyer and play action. But shoot, if you can keep averaging 5.1 yards a carry, go right at them.
Defensively, A&M has been dominant. Auburn has 108 total yards, and they're averaging 2.5 yards a carry. The Tigers started off running the ball well, but then A&M figured out the toss sweep and eliminated it. They're doing what they need to, controlling the line of scrimmage and making tackles one-on-one. The linebackers, Edgerrin Cooper especially, have been very good so far.
The defensive line is starting to control things. The holes aren't there when the fits are right and they've been making plays right at the line. The pass rush has been really good, mostly with three down linemen so far. Tyree Johnson has been unstoppable, just blowing around Auburn's tackles.
When the Aggies have blitzed, they've been really smart. They've thrown a bunch of different looks at Nix, and when they attack, they've kept him contained. He's 9-16 for just 66 yards, but more importantly, he has 4 carries for -1 yard. That's how you've got to get it done.
The defense is getting the job done. They just need the offense to help out a little bit.
Special teams have been not good. Seth Small missed a field goal and Ainias hasn't been able to get going. The refs clearly blew a roughing call, but Devon Achane's decision to come out of the end zone and only get to the 10 flipped the field for essentially a quarter.
This game is going to come down to who wants it more. Historically, Auburn has taken games like this from A&M. Last year, A&M came back and took it from them. We'll have to see which Aggie team shows up in the second half.
