Texas A&M vs. Vanderbilt preview
Hey pretty baby are you ready for me? It’s your good rockin’ daddy down from Tennessee. -Steve Earle
By: The Hammer
Bad news for the Commodores, the Ags will be ready and are going to send your ass back to Tennessee with a big, fat L. This is the easiest game on A&M’s schedule, and it shouldn’t be close. Not sure if it is lucky to have it as the first game, or if it would be better to have a slight reprieve later in the year. Either way, the Aggies will not lose this game. It's a statement game. Everyone expects A&M to win, but I’m expecting more than just a win.
This game ought to be a total beatdown. Nay, needs to be a total beatdown. The Aggies are poised to take a step forward this year and compete for the SEC West, so it’s time it to not just beat an inferior opponent, but completely dismantle them from whistle to whistle. I’m talking about a wire-to-wire slobber knocker where A&M does not let Vanderbilt breathe without hitting them in the mouth.
This Aggie team needs to have momentum and confidence going into Tuscaloosa week two, and if this game is close and we let Vandy hang around, it will not be a good omen. The last time Alabama played Vandy it was a 59-0 drubbing. Granted this was in 2017, but that remains the goal. Let's go ahead and do that too. Time to send a message that the Aggies have arrived and can play ball.
After recent opt-outs from key Aggie starters, I’m excited to see the guys who want to be here ball out. The offensive line should be able to get a push-up front and pass protect, giving Kellen time to throw and allowing Isaiah Spiller and Anias Smith to get chunk yardage on the ground. The inexperienced receiving corps could really use game reps and needs to make plays against someone other than their teammates in practice. With Ausbon gone and Buckley hurt, there is zero experience on the outside, so getting some wideouts involved and letting them build confidence moving forward will be huge. A&M will have no chance against the Tide if receivers can’t get separation. The recent departure of Vanderbilt starting safety, Tae Daley, should help. He started nine games last season for Vandy and recorded 57 tackles and 3 interceptions, but has now entered the transfer portal.
Vanderbilt has suffered multiple transfers and opt-outs in recent weeks and their depth is hurting. Perfect opportunity for the Aggies to pounce, jump on them early and bury them. Normally, I would have more to say about an opponent and discuss key matchups but it is Vanderbilt. A&M has the edge at every position group and should have no trouble imposing their will on the ‘Dores.
Obviously, news has not been all roses out of Aggieland the last few weeks with Ausbon and Hines opting out (among others) and multiple injuries at Tight End, but expectations remain high. Jimbo reaffirmed this in his latest press conference, praising the guys who are stepping in to play and wishing Hines and Ausbon well on their next move.
In fact, I think the recent opt-outs help in this game. Guys will be out to prove they not only belong but can play ball and be impact players. The rest of the team will look to show that they will be just fine without those two. Losing Hines and Ausbon will be more difficult to overcome later in the season and against better competition, but against Vandy, it not only won't be an issue, it could even help. Replacements like Aaron Hansford, Kam Brown, Caleb Chapman, Jalen Preston, along with the entire team, will be ready to make a statement. Jimbo will have them motivated. The spread right now is Aggies -29. I am hammering the Aggies. Lock it up.
Beat the hell outta Vanderbilt!
