Texas A&M vs. Vanderbilt recap
Yikes.
This was not the way A&M wanted to begin their season. Luckily, and I mean luckily, they escaped with a win and emerged 1-0. But let’s not pretend this was a good win. Nearly every other team in the SEC would have beaten the Aggies on Saturday. A win is a win of course, as was repeated many times in the post-game press conference. While this is true, and the A&M season is still technically on track, there are more concerns than ever after that performance.
They say a tie is like kissing your sister - well even though we won, I feel like I kissed a freakin’ rattlesnake. I am a big fan of Jimbo and believe he is the right man for the job. However, there were some things that made me question that last night. That looked like a Sumlin-coached football team all night - uninspired start, mental mistakes, unforced errors, lack of ball security, no killer instinct, etc.
My first concern is the offense overall, followed by the play calling. Jimbo is not the offensive coordinator, but he does call the plays. Mond is a fourth-year starter and this is his third year in Jimbo’s system. So how can we only manage 17 points at home against Vanderbilt? Things have to be more efficient and crisper. Why didn’t we didn’t give Spiller or Ainias more carries? Spiller carried the rock eight times (just eight times???), but racked up 117 yards, averaging 14.6 ypc. Ainias Smith got 10 carries and totaled 51 yards and a TD, which is a very solid performance as well. Given that kind of efficiency, many folks will be yelling for Spiller to get more touches. But even if Spiller didn't have such an impressive night, I would still be calling for more touches. Mond is too inconsistent through the air, and our receivers are not there yet. Clearly, the lack of experience and impact of Ausbon opting-out were felt last night. If we want to have success this year, we need to ride Spiller and Ainias. They are the strength of this offense, not Kellen and not the wideouts.
Photo: Sam Craft, AP Photo
My next issue with the playcalling is the complete lack of downfield throws. Why are we not taking shots down the field? We need to be more aggressive and try to get chunk plays. If we aren’t taking deep shots because Jimbo doesn’t trust Kellen or our receivers, then get someone else in the game. This is big-boy football and you have to at least threaten down the field. Finishing with 17 completions for 189 yards, an average of just 11.1 yards per catch, is not going to cut it.
I get it, we are young and inexperienced at wide receiver. These deep balls will not be caught every time, but you have to show that kind of threat and give your players a chance to make a play. Think of how much harder it is to get separation from a DB if they don't fear getting burned deep. Hell, put Demas in there just for that reason. Demas didn’t see the field last night, puzzlingly. Even if he doesn’t know the offense well yet, I assure you he knows how to run a go route. Why not put him on the outside and say “go!” to keep those DBs honest?
A big reason the offense was never able to get into any sort of rhythm is that they kept putting the ball on the turf. Evidently, Mond and the offense ate a bunch of extra buttery popcorn just before kickoff - fumbles and drops galore. Turnovers remain a big issue and while it’s hard to totally blame Jimbo for the ball security issues, simply put, if A&M turns the ball over like that against Alabama or Florida, they will get curb stomped. Not sure if this needs to be more of an emphasis in practice, or if the perpetrators just need to be benched, but we can’t afford to let it happen again.
Finally, the special teams were a disaster tonight. We can’t keep this undisciplined play up if we hope to compete with big-time programs. They have special teams buttoned up and for some reason, Jimbo and A&M do not. When was the last time Clemson, Alabama, or Ohio State fielded a punt in the end zone or misjudged a kickoff and returned it from eight yards deep? It does not happen. And it puzzles me why it’s happening in year three under Jimbo. Credit to Jimbo for taking responsibility on the Ainias punt return, saying “Catching a punt in the end zone and trying to run out. I mean, I never get a penalty in there. I mean, that’s coaching, and that’s my fault as a head football coach. Can’t happen. Got to get that fixed. I’ll make sure it gets fixed, I promise.”
While the first part of that quote makes no sense, the second part is spot on and I’m glad he took the blame. But why not sit Ainias after that? Fielding a punt in the end zone is the cardinal sin for a punt returner, and Ainias should not have returned another punt all game. There has to be consequences for a boneheaded mistake like that. Those are momentum-killing, field-position-crushing mistakes. Jimbo needs to bench those guys and send a message: these mistakes will not be tolerated. I know we have plenty of other talented guys who can return punts and kicks, so give them a shot. I’m not saying bench Ainias on offense, just take him off special teams for the rest of the game.
Not listening to the haters after week one.
I still don’t feel great even after that venting session, but let's focus on the positives here. Despite what it looked like, there were some bright spots yesterday, mostly on defense. Elko continues to be worth every penny and I pray he stays in Aggieland for a long time. Sure, it was just Vandy and their offense doesn't strike fear in anyone, but the defense won the game for A&M. Something they have done many times since Elko and Jimbo arrived.
I loved seeing Buddy Johnson and new starter Aaron Hansford making plays. Both tallied 11 total tackles and were all over the field last night. Demani Richardson lived up to his preseason Second Team All-SEC hype as well, snagging one interception, causing another by tipping the ball, and recording seven tackles. The defensive line finished the game strong as well. Aggie fans have waited years to see Micheal Clemons make an impact, and he finally came through with some timely quarterback pressures, including 1.5 sacks. Demarvin Leal also recorded seven tackles, an impressive number for a defensive lineman.
Vandy was never able to get anything going consistently. I would have liked to see some more QB pressure early on, but aside from that, it was a stingy performance. Many of Vandy’s completions were just good throws to well-covered receivers. As for the run defense, Vanderbilt was held to 105 yards on 38 carries, an average of 2.8 yards per carry. Not too shabby. By the looks of last night, the Aggie defense will need to be great each game for A&M to make some noise. Maybe the return of the Wrecking Crew?
Bottomline, A&M is 1-0. That is what matters most. At the end of the season, if the Ags can win some big games, no one will care how close this game was. Let’s put this one behind us. It was ugly, it was concerning, but it is over. Bama week starts now.
Onward to Tuscaloosa. #BTHOAlabama
