No. 20 Texas A&M better not wallow too long because the Lonestar Rivalry is coming to College Station, and it’s turned up to 11. The Aggies, having just dropped an overtime heartbreaker to Auburn, host the favored Texas Longhorns with an SEC title game berth on the line. The spread opened closer to a touchdown but has narrowed.
No. 3 Texas at No. 20 Texas A&M
A&M is one of the few teams currently outside the playoff field with complete control of its playoff path. The Aggies must beat No. 3 Texas and No. 7 Georgia back-to-back. If the Aggies want in, there’s no other way but through.
The Aggies run defense is good enough to slow Quintrevion Wisner and Jaydon Blue, and given the Longhorn backfield has fumbled eight times as a group, the defense has a chance to flip the field quickly for their offense.
Former Heisman frontrunner Quinn Ewers has been effective under center for the Longhorns but has started slow multiple games this season and struggles when under pressure. More than 21 percent of pressures against Ewers have turned into sacks, and his completion percentage drops 20 points when under duress. His passer rating drops nearly 40 points. The Aggies’ pass rush may not be as consistent as some elite units, but it is disruptive. The Aggies have pressured opposing quarterbacks 194 times (more than Texas or Ohio State), and edge rushers Shemar Stewart and Nic Scourton have been particularly effective, generating 6.5 sacks as a pair. If they can make Ewers uncomfortable, the Longhorns offense becomes manageable.
The Texas defense, on the other hand, doesn’t have a weakness. UT has allowed 16.2 points per game to conference opponents, and only Georgia and Vanderbilt managed more than 20. It pressures quarterbacks more than 35 percent of the time and allows 3.1 yards per carry (12th). A&M is far more effective on the ground (17th nationally) than through the air (86th), but without star running back Le’Veon Moss, it will be up to Amari Daniels to face down the fearsome Longhorn front.
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(Photo of Quinn Ewers: Tim Warner / Getty Images)
