HawgBeat - Know the Foe: Gaining Texas A&M insight with Aggie Yell
See what Aggie Yell Insider Publisher Mark Passwaters had to say about Texas A&M ahead of its matchup with Arkansas.
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As we have done throughout this football season, HawgBeat went behind enemy lines to gain insight on the Texas A&M Aggies from Mark Passwaters of Aggie Yell.
Here is what he had to say about Saturday's matchup between Arkansas and Texas A&M, which is set to kickoff at 11:00 a.m. CT inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas...
What’s the latest update with the quarterback situation? How do Connor Weigman and Max Johnson differ?
Passwaters: Even though Jimbo Fisher said Conner Weigman is "day-to-day", I don't see any chance he plays. Max Johnson will get the call. The differences are pretty clear, starting with the obvious: Weigman's right-handed and Johnson's left-handed. Johnson has significantly more starting experience in the SEC, but Weigman's more mobile.
There wasn't much separation between the two in the spring or summer, but it's hard to argue against Weigman considering how he played so far this season. But having Johnson is a luxury few teams have.
Note: Jimbo Fisher confirmed on the SEC Teleconference that Weigman's injury is season-ending.
Did the Aggies’ defensive performance against Auburn subdue all the concerns from the Miami game?
Passwaters: Not a chance. The Aggies did not play pass defense well in that game, tackled terribly and didn't even try to get a pass rush in most cases, which is on DJ Durkin. They've been much better against ULM and Auburn, and were actually aggressive against the Tigers, but Auburn's quarterbacks aren't in the same area code as KJ Jefferson.
What advantages does the A&M defense have over Arkansas’ offense?
Passwaters: Depending on what DJ Durkin decided to do with his defense, they have some guys who can really cause trouble for a offensive line that hasn't been good. Defensive end Shemar Turner has 3 sacks and was all over the place against Auburn; DTs McKinnley Jackson and Walter Nolen are one of the best interior line duos in America. Linebackers Edgerrin Cooper and Taurean York have been really good. So if the Aggies decide to get aggressive, then that could be an issue for Arkansas up front.
What advantages does the A&M offense have over Arkansas’ defense?
Passwaters: Their names are Evan Stewart, Noah Thomas, Ainias Smith, Moose Muhammad, Jahdae Walker and Jake Johnson. Those are the five primary wideouts and the starting tight end. All of them are true dangers in the passing game.
Stewart is playing at an All-SEC level, and Thomas is matchup hell at 6-foot-5 with speed. Walker's not much smaller. Smith, who broke his ankle in this game last year, has been great the last two games. That's the long version of saying A&M has some weapons that can test Arkansas' 75th-ranked pass defense.
How has the addition of Bobby Petrino helped Texas A&M's offensive success this season?
Passwaters: The offense went from flaming garbage a year ago to pretty darned good this season. The passing offense is averaging more than 300 yards a game and they haven't had less than 400 total yards in a game yet. They only scored 31 points on offense twice last year; they did it in each of the first three games and could have done it against Auburn had they pressed the issue.
Schematically, the Aggies are night and day from last year and Petrino has done a much better job utilizing A&M's weapons. Jimbo's offense was about balance. Petrino's is about attacking weaknesses.
How do you think the game will play out and what's your score prediction?
Passwaters: This game is always nuts. Without exception. So there's no reason to think it won't be again this year. But Arkansas' trouble protecting KJ, Rocket Sanders being iffy and a questionable pass defense against A&M's weapons makes me lean the Aggies' way.
Score prediction: Texas A&M 31, Arkansas 24
