Texas A&M Aggies
SEC
Texas A&M finished with a disappointing 4-4 record in SEC play. In retrospect, losing to Alabama, Auburn and Missouri by seven points or less is understandable. Their other loss was at LSU, which is certainly a quality loss as well. However, the expectations were much, much higher for the Aggies. Eight total wins is nice, but this group failed to win all of their big games.
2013 Record: 8-4, 4-4
Coach: Kevin Sumlin
Coach Bowl Record: 2-1
Big Wins: 10/12 at Ole Miss (41-38), 11/26 Vanderbilt (56-24)
Bad Losses: 11/23 at LSU (10-34), 11/30 at Missouri (21-28)
Strengths:
Until the last two games of the year, the Aggies scored at least 41 points. That is a remarkable feat for any team, but especially in the SEC. Johnny Manziel had another amazing season, throwing for 3,732 yards and rushing for 686 more. In all, he accounted for 41 touchdowns. The potent passing of Manziel has created some big time receivers as well. Mike Evans, a 6-5 sophomore, has emerged as the most consistent. On the year he caught 65 passes for 1,322 yards and a dozen touchdowns. Malcome Kennedy, Derel Walker and Travis Labhart are all dangerous targets who would be top receivers on most other teams. Manziel is the team’s top rusher, but Ben Malena is a capable back who found the end zone ten times. Trey Williams and Tra Carson, the power back, each ran for six scores.
Weaknesses:
With an offense like that, the defense must be pretty bad for this team to lose four games. They did rank dead last in the SEC in rush defense and total defense, so they are pretty bad. Darian Claiborne and Steven Jenkins are asked to do a lot from the middle of the field. They are the team’s top two tacklers, but they have not done much to make the rush defense respectable. Without consistent pressure from the front four, the secondary is often torched for chunks of yards at a time. Howard Matthews, Deshazor Everett and Tramain Jacobs can make some big plays in the secondary, however, they allow more than they make. Texas A&M can win shootouts, which they have done many times this year, but when it comes down to which team can make a defensive stop, it may not be wise to bet on the Aggies.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Johnny Manziel, QB, 686 yards
Passing: Johnny Manziel, QB, 3,732 yards
Receiving: Mike Evans, WR, 1,322 yards
Tackles: Darian Claiborne, LB, 89; Steven Jenkins, LB, 89
Sacks: Gavin Stansbury, DL, 3.0; Shaan Washington, LB, 3.0
Interceptions: Howard Matthews, S, 3
2013 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 187.3 (46th in nation, 9th in conference)
Passing Offense: 350.9 (8, 1)
Total Offense: 538.2 (5, 1)
Scoring Offense: 43.6 (7, 1)
Rushing Defense: 221.3 (108, 14)
Pass Defense: 239.0 (80, 12)
Total Defense: 460.3 (105, 14)
Scoring Defense: 30.9 (86, 13)
Turnover Margin: -0.1 (68, 10)
Sacks: 1.67 (85, 10)
Sacks Allowed: 1.75 (45, 6)
Recent Bowl Appearances:
2012 Cotton Bowl Oklahoma (41-13)
2011 Car Care of Texas Bowl Northwestern (33-22)
2010 Cotton Bowl LSU (24-41)
2009 Independence Bowl Georgia (20-44)
2007 Alamo Bowl Penn State (17-24)
2006 Holiday Bowl California (10-45)
*all team stats through 11/30
