Stephen F. Austin @ Texas A&M preview
Kyle Field
Unbalanced.
That’s what Texas A&M was last year. Of the 120 FBS schools, the Aggies were fifth in total offense and 105th in total defense. There was only one other team (Houston) with a triple-digit disparity between offense and defense.
The Aggies are hoping the offense continues to roll while the defense, with eight returning starters, makes an improvement. A&M gets its first challenge against Stephen F. Austin on Saturday night at Kyle Field.
It’s the first meeting between the schools in 75 years. They have met twice in their history, with A&M winning both games (54-0 in 1929 and 37-6 in 1935).
The return eight starters on offense, led by senior QB Jerrod Johnson, who threw 30 touchdowns to only eight interceptions last year. WR Ryan Swope had a strong spring showing and should factor more into the offense this season.
The biggest question mark for A&M is at left tackle, where true freshman Luke Joeckel is expected to start. The 6-foot-6, 280-pound Joeckel graduated high school early last year and impressed in spring drills.
The Aggies’ defense, meanwhile, will transition to a 3-4 front under new defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter, who came from Air Force. That could make end/ linebacker Von Miller even more dangerous after his NCAA-best 17 sacks last season.
One of the keys for A&M’s successful move to a 3-4 defense will be at nose tackle, where Lucas Patterson is expected to start. Patterson has the size to play the position at 303 pounds but is inexperienced.
Still, if the defense can become more formidable and the offense continues from where it left off last season, the Aggies could be dark-horse contenders in the Big 12 South under third-year coach Mike Sherman. If not, Sherman might be on the hot seat.
It all starts with Stephen F. Austin of the Southland Conference. While it won’t serve as a benchmark for how the Aggies will fare in the Big 12, the Lumberjacks are coming off their best season since 1995, an impressive 10-3 showing under coach J.C. Harper.
SFA went 6-1 in conference play last season. Senior quarterback Jeremy Moses threw for 40 touchdown passes and 4,124 yards for the Lumberjacks’ “Air Raid” offense last season.
The team returns one of its top playmakers in wide receiver Gralyn Crawford, who had 51 catches for 785 yards and seven TDs last season.
Defensively, SFA held four Southland opponents to 13 points or less last season. The Lumberjacks return linebackers Jabara Williams, Devin Ducote and Derrick Choice as well as linemen Sean Warren and Weekendfer Saurit.