Texas A&M Aggies bold predictions for No. 9 SEC road test vs. LSU

Texas A&M puts its perfect record on the line in Week 9 when it visits LSU. Texas A&M is one of the best teams in the SECbut faced only one ranked opponent this year. It was a 41-40 road win over Notre Dame. Now they get a chance for a second win over a ranked team when they visit LSU.

The Aggies have been solid this year. After opening wins over UTSA and Utah State at home, the team would hit the road to face Notre Dame. Texas A&M scored with just 13 seconds left in the game to take a one-point lead and win over Notre Dame. They then opened SEC play, knocking off Auburn, Mississippi State and Florida. Last week they went on the road for the first time in SEC play. Texas A&M held off an Arkansas comeback attempt in that game, winning 45-42.

Meanwhile, LSU is now 5-2 on the year. After opening 4-0, they have lost two of their last three games. They last faced Vanderbilt, losing the game 31-24. This resulted in some fans calling for Brian Kelly to be fired.

Texas A&M scores more than ten points in the first half

Ten points doesn’t seem like a lot in the first half for a strong offense. Texas A&M is 15th in the state in points per game while sitting 15th in yards per game. They are also 22nd in rushing yards per game, while 29th in passing yards per game. The Aggies were also solid in the first half. They scored 21 or more points in the first half in five of seven games. They failed to score more than ten points in the first half just once this year, scoring just seven in the first half against Mississippi State before winning 31-9.

Meanwhile, the LSU’s defense has been great this year. LSU is seventh in the nation in opponent points per game, while 27th in opponent yards per game. Further, they are 37th against the run and 40th against the pass. Allowing over ten points is a big deal for LSU.

This season, LSU has five games in which they have allowed ten or fewer points. In those five games, the team is 5-0. Meanwhile, they have only two games allowing more than ten points. In those two games, LSU lost both. Texas A&M would score more than ten goals in the first half, which could mean a loss for the Tigers.

Marcell Reid adds to the Heisman excitement

Marcell Reid has thrust himself into the Heisman conversation this year. He was a star for Texas A&M this year. Reed passed for 1,770 yards and 15 touchdowns this year. He is overjoyed four times. Reed also ran for 241 yards and four scores. He already has one statement this year. Against Notre Dame, Reed passed for 360 yards and two scores. He threw one spade but still had a KBR of 82.2

He will have another statement in this game against LSU. LSU hasn’t been great against quarterbacks who are mobile or with strong offensive units. Trindiad Chambliss threw for 314 yards and a touchdown while also running for 71 yards against LSU as Ole Miss beat the Tigers. Last week, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia threw for just 160 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 86 yards and two more scores on the ground.

Reid has mobile tools and has proven to be a better passer than both Chambliss and Pavia this year. He’s poised for a solid game, and one that will give him his second game of the year, edging him into the Heisman conversation.

Defense changes the game

LSU has struggled on offense this year. They are 101st in the nation in points per game, while this year they are 99th in yards per game. The running offense is 110th in the nation, while the passing offense is 65th.. Garrett Nussmeier has not lived up to expectations this year. He passed for 1,638 yards with 11 touchdowns but five interceptions. Furthermore, three of the five interceptions have come in the last three games. This has led to LSU being 70th in interception percentage this season.

Texas A&M has not been good at forcing turnovers. They are 129th in the nation in interception percentage and 92nd in sacks per game. The big play on defense won’t come from interceptions; it will come from one player, Cashius Howell.

Nussmeier has only been sacked nine times this year, but two of those came last week against Vanderbilt. LSU is 20th in the nation in quarterback sack rate. Still, Texas A&M is eighth in the nation in passing to the quarterback.

Howell has been a consistent presence in the backfield this year. Howell leads the team with 8.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. He also has four more quarterback hits and three pass breakups. He will get at least one sack in this game and will create constant pressure in the backfield. However, he has yet to force a turnover this year, something he has done the last two seasons. He gets that turnover in this one. That will give Texas A&M a short field and a score.

The Aggies are the superior team in this one. The defense will confuse LSU as Howell and Reed make big plays as the team moves to 8-0.