Aggies Beat Warhawks, But Questions On Defense Remain
The Texas A&M Aggies notched another win on Saturday, and put behind them the abysmal performance against the Hurricanes the week prior. While the team played better as a whole, there are still questions on both sides of the ball. Maybe the most alarming of those issues is on defense - the unit that was thought to be the most stable entering the season.
After giving up 48 points on the road to Miami in Week 2, the defense responded at Kyle Field by allowing just a field goal to the Warhawks on Saturday. The numbers look good, but the overall performance does not. The A&M defense gave up 127 yards rushing with a 4.1 yards per carry average and frequently allowed rushes to the outside to gain more yards than they should have.
The secondary played well considering it was without starters Tyreek Chappell - who was scratched just before the start of the game - and Jardin Gilbert. Backups Jacoby Matthews and Deuce Harmon jumped in and performed well.
Maybe the most concerning was the Aggies' lack of a sustainable pass rush. Shemar Turner and Malick Sylla both had a sack each, but beyond that, ULM quarterback Jiya Wright was under very little pressure.
The A&M defense registered just three tackles for loss, which is almost unfathomable against a team like the Warhawks and the talent level the Aggies boast on the defensive line. That's going to have to improve dramatically if coach Jimbo Fisher and Co. hope to contend in the SEC and ultimately for a College Football Playoff appearance.
