TaxAct Texas Bowl: Can A&M Offense Establish Run Against Oklahoma State?
HOUSTON -- Texas A&M looks to close out the 2023 season on a high note with one more win Wednesday evening at NRG Stadium against No. 20 Oklahoma State in the TaxAct Texas Bowl.
The Aggies (7-5) are starting fresh following Wednesday's mayhem right up the road from College Station. Mike Elko is busy at work trying to finalize a roster through recruiting and the transfer portal before spring practice rolls around. Elijah Robinson is putting on the headset one last time as acting coach before departing for Syracuse.
The key for A&M to secure the victory is to contain All-American running back Ollie Gordon II. Few have been able to slow down the Pokes' top runner in conference play this season as Gordon led all FBS runners in rushing yards, and yards after contact. Only Michigan's Blake Corum totaled more touchdowns than Agent Zero from Stillwater.
Texas A&M celebrates a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The Aggies also will need their run game to be potent. With Ainias Smith and Evan Stewart out, A&M may prioritize establishing a ground game over an aerial attack with Jaylen Henderson against a flawed Cowboys' front seven.
A&M was inconsistent on the ground this season with a trio of tailbacks taking first-team reps. That partially could be factored into the offensive line's constant change as eight players saw reps.
The Aggies finished 10th in the SEC in rushing (146 yards per game) and 11th in yards per play (3.9). Most of the damage came at the point of attack rather than in yards after contact, an area of significant struggle for the Aggies all season.
Le'Veon Moss should be the top option heading into NRG Stadium. His physical run style pushes the chains forward and forces defenders to miss at the point of attack. He's patient while waiting for holes to open but isn't afraid to lower the shoulder and push forward.
Amari Daniels can be a home run threat if he breaks past the line of scrimmage. Rueben Owens is a change-of-pace back that keeps defenders guessing which way he's set to cut.
The Pokes (9-4) are aggressive when playing downfield. Defensive lineman Justin Kirkland might weigh 364 pounds, but he's agile enough to stay on the field for most reps. Linebackers Nickolas Martin and Collin Oliver are thumpers who will come flying down to deliver the crushing hit.
OSU held opponents to roughly 175 yards per game on the ground. Mobile quarterbacks, however, did present problems in space. UCF's John Rhys-Plumlee rushed for 74 yards in a 45-3 win last month in Orlando. Houston's Donovan Smith averaged nearly 5.0 yards per play and scored a touchdown in a Cougars' 43-30 loss.
Henderson, who has the ability to extend plays out of the pocket, might be A&M's x-factor, similar to that of Kellen Mond. The last time these two played in the Texas Bowl, Mond broke free for a 67-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to secure the 24-21 upset.
The Cowboys often wait for runners to make mistakes when hitting the hole before attacking. That could be the plan on Wednesday to force A&M to trust its passing game.
Then again, one big run is all it takes for a loss to turn into a win. A&M is banking on four players to recreate that 2019 magic almost four years later.
