College Football Preview: #4 Florida vs. #21 Texas A&M
The Gators travel to the Lone Star State for an SEC showdown against the Aggies.
It’s year three in College Station, Texas under the Jimbo Fisher regime and expectations have raised considerably. Especially with a senior quarterback in tow like Kellen Mond. It does not help however that Fisher’s program has to rub elbows with Alabama, LSU, and Auburn every season. Many are wondering if year three for #21 Texas A&M (1-1, 1-1 in SEC) is their breakthrough season.
Getting a win against a top-5 team at home will certainly help things. Coming to town in week three are the #4 Florida Gators. A team with significant SEC and National Championship Game hopes and quite possibly the best QB-TE connection in all of college football. Time to dissect this intriguing SEC matchup on Saturday.
Channel: ESPN
Time: Saturday, October 10th, 12:00 PM EST
Florida Analysis
Two games into the 2020 season and the Gators (2-0, 2-0) have already shown that their offensive unit can be a dangerous one. Heisman hopeful Kyle Trask is off to an outstanding start with 684 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and just one interception. His growth and maturation will be key for the talented Gators going forward. Especially with the heavy schedule that Florida has for the remaining of the season. He has a couple of dynamic weapons in the passing game in tight end Kyle Pitts (12 catches, 227 yards, six TDs) and Kadarius Toney (11/145/2). The run game overall may not necessarily have a star or standout rusher but junior running Dameon Pierce is the best of the group at the moment. Consistency from the run game can really open up things for this Florida offense.
In recent seasons, the Gators calling card has been an attacking defense with speed at every single position. In terms of talent, this season seems a bit different. Largely because while there is plenty of talent, the defensive unit may need a bit of time to put things together. Collectively, the Gators are 63rd in total defense and 71st in passing defense. Defensive linemen Brenton Cox Jr., and Zachary Carter leads the team in sacks with 1.5 apiece. While Cox and linebacker Ventrell Miller are tied for the team lead in tackles for loss with three apiece.
Texas A&M Analysis
Everything on offense begins and ends with Mond. The up and down career of the dual-threat passer has seen the guidance of Fisher for his entire career. At times, Mond looks spectacular and able to carry the Aggies offense. However, there are other times where Mond looks as if he’s in need of a lot more development and as a result, the Aggies offense suffers considerably.
Mond does not have the services of the top three receivers from last year’s team at his disposal. What has evolved from that circumstance is A&M having to depend on unproven depth to uplift the passing game. As of now, running back Aninas Smith leads the team in receiving yards (150) and yards per catch (18.8).
The passing defense for the Aggies took some rough blows in their last game against Alabama. The unit as a whole allowed 435 yards in the air and four touchdowns. Granted, Florida may not be as explosive as the Crimson Tide in the passing department. However, the Achilles heel of the defense can still be exploited. Linebacker Buddy Johnson in the man in the middle and leads the team in tackles with 19. Yet, the best defender is edge rusher Michael Clemons. If any kind of pass rush is generated from the Aggies defense, Clemons is likely to have his fingerprints on it.
Prediction
Back-to-back weeks against Alabama and Florida is tough for any program, let along an Aggies program that is trying to elevate themselves into the upper echelon of the SEC.
Plain and simple, Mond has to be excellent in order for the Aggies offense to find rhythm, score some points, and make this a ball game. He is capable. As is the Aggies offense. Luckily for him, he is going up against a Gators defense that is skilled but has yet to find their footing this season themselves.
The Trask-to-Pitts combination is an elite one. However, the element of the run game and another receiver to break away from the pack is what is holding back the Gators offense a bit. Maybe this is the week that receiver Trevon Grimes (5/90/1) puts it all together.
A shootout may ensue in Texas between two teams that are capable of opening things up a bit. It may very well come down to which quarterback is able to play efficiently enough at the critical moments. In that case, Trask gets the slight nod.