Orange Bowl Preview
Put some vodka in that sweet Orange Bowl OJ and make a screwdriver, it’s time for the Ags to make a statement. By: The Hammer
“Toughness. Effort. Discipline. Pride and Grit. Those aren’t words we just say, they’re a creed we live by men.” Jimbo Fisher
Jimbo and the boys rollin’ into the Orange Bowl in style.
The time has come. It’s closing time on the Aggie football season as the sun sets on one of the most memorable seasons in school history. In a year when many, including myself, questioned whether college football would even be played this fall, the Aggies managed to finish the regular season at 8-1 against an all-SEC schedule. No doubt under normal circumstances, this team is winning 10 or 11 games. What a ride it’s been from the shaky start against Vanderbilt, followed by another blowout against Alabama to where we are now. Number 5 in the country playing in a New Year's Six bowl game.
I sound like a broken record but you can’t say enough about the job Jimbo, his staff, and the players have done this season. A&M was hit with opt-outs from key players during fall camp, but once the season began, the Aggies were locked in. Not a single opt-out despite the disappointment of being left at the CFP altar as the Committee went back to its crazy old girlfriend Notre Dame, who is always up for getting pounded in a big game. The culture has changed in Aggieland and it’s beautiful to see. Senior OL Carson Green alluded to the A&M attitude towards opting out and why no Aggie decided to do so. He said the players “owed it to Texas A&M to play it out.” If that doesn’t make you swell with pride, let me offer you some more Maroon kool-aid, you 2%er.
Skip to 1:45 to hear Carson Green’s full comments on opting out.
Let the media, t-sips, and any other hater try to discredit what the Aggies have accomplished all they want. The fact remains: this is a damn good football team and a legitimate top 5 team in the nation. Now there is only one thing left to do and it’s beating the ever-livin’, ever-lovin’ hell out of North Carolina and finish at #3 or #4 (if we win and Oklahoma passes us, I’m going to riot).
As we have detailed in our newsletters this week, North Carolina has been hit hard with opt-outs. Even at full strength, I would have been confident in A&M to win, but now it’s hard to make a case for the Tar Heels. We just saw what Florida looked like with all of their opt-out issues and it wasn't pretty. It was downright gross, actually. UNC is in the same boat as the Gators, but I think Mack Brown will have the guys who are there ready to play. It just won’t be enough. The Tar Heels’ stud running backs Michael Carter and Javonte Williams, leading tackler Chazz Surratt, and leading receiver Dyami Brown have all opted out. For reference, Williams and Carter combined for 2,385 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns. Brown accounted for 1,099 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns. That’s a ton of offensive production not making the trip to Miami.
Photo: Chris Seward, AP Photo
Some will criticize these players' decision to opt-out, but not me. Clearly, they saw the film of Texas A&M’s defense and made what we in the know call a “business decision.” Those boys didn’t want any smoke from the Wrecking Crew. In all seriousness, no one knows what goes on inside these players’ heads but we do know A&M’s defense is stout. The Aggies finished with the #1 defense in the SEC, allowing just 316 yards and 21 points a game to their opposition. UNC finished with the ACC’s best offense but, again, most of that production walked out the door with some agent’s money in their britches. I know Sam Howell can sling the pigskin, but I like the Aggies defense in this matchup.
Texas A&M’s front seven should be able to stop the Tar Heels rushing attack and force Sam Howell to beat them. The health of Myles Jones will be big in this game as we saw what Brian George looked like against Tennessee. But even with the A&M secondary being potentially beaten up, I don’t think the talented Howell will be able to score enough without a run game to keep pace with A&M. The Aggies can get pressure on UNC too, as they have given up 30 sacks on the year. To put that in perspective, the Maroon Goons have only allowed 4 sacks this year. Look for this defensive line to pin their ears back and be in Howell’s face all night.
On defense, UNC has been average at best. The Heels allow 395 yards and 28 points a game. Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, and Virginia were all able to score over 40 on UNC. Don’t know about you, but I would take the Aggies offense over any of those mediocre schools. I suspect the Aggie game plan will be much of the same: run the ball, hit the short and intermediate passing game, and set up play-action to look for Wydermyer. Sprinkle in a deep shot or two to Ainias. North Carolina gives up 147 yards per game rushing and they haven’t seen an offensive line like A&M or running back like Isaiah Spiller. I think the Aggies can rush for over 200 yards in this one. Take that to the bank. If that proves true, A&M will have no trouble moving the ball and will put up points all day.
Photo: Michael Miller, The Eagle
The other advantage we have is simply ball control. Assuming the Aggies can run the ball, we can just take the wind out of North Carolina’s sails in the time of possession department. A&M’s offense is so methodical and precise, it just plods down the field and doesn’t give the other team’s offense much of a chance.
I really hope Mond has a great game and finishes his Aggie career on a high note. He’s been very good this season, with the exception of two games. I think A&M can win even with an average performance from Mond, but it would be great to see Mond play lights out and put on a show in his final game. He’s been through a ton and represented the Maroon and White with toughness and class for four years, despite some inconsistent performances. I think he’ll be locked in and ready to go out with a big-time bowl win.
Hard to find an area or position group where the Aggies don’t have an advantage in this game. I’m sure Mack will have his team ready, but I don’t think they have the horses to keep up with the Ags. I see this one being close until half and then the Aggies slowly choke out the Tar Heels in the second half on their way to a comfortable win. Very similar to how many A&M games have gone this year. Play good defense, run the ball, and eventually wear down the opponent and pull away in the 3rd quarter. After this win, we can debate where this Aggie team ranks all-time - but first, it’s time to take care of business.
#5 Texas A&M - 41
#13 North Carolina - 24
#BTHONORTHCAROLINA
