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Texas A&M Offense vs. Miami Defense
Texas A&M runs the ball considerably more than it passes, but its lack of balance doesn't make it easier to defend because its ground attack is so dynamic. It starts with the personnel in the backfield. At running back, Jorvorskie Lane is a power back who can run defenders over, Mike Goodson can go the distance every time he touches the ball and Chris Alexander is another big back. Quarterback Stephen McGee is an effective open-field runner who reads defenses well and excels at running the option, which brings us to the second point. Aggies' offensive coordinator Les Koenning Jr.'s scheme implements the option, zone reads and power isolation blocking taking advantage of each player's strength and keeping offenses off balance. Of course, it helps to have an experienced offensive line anchored by stalwarts center Cody Wallace and left offensive guard Charles Elder doing work front. None of this bodes well for Miami's run defense. Though the Hurricanes are giving up an average of just 2.9 yards per carry, outside linebackers Spencer Adkins and Colin McCarthy are relatively inexperienced. As a result, there are concerns about their abilities to stay disciplined when they see option and avoid getting caught out of position when Texas A&M runs its zone read. Secondly, there are questions at defensive tackle, where the Hurricanes replaced Dwayne Hendricks and Teraz McCray with Vegas Franklin and Joe Joseph last week.
McGee is coming off his best throwing performance of the young season and there's reason to believe his success will continue this week. Safety Kenny Phillips is one of the best in the nation, but the Hurricanes' situation at corner is a mess. After he struggled against Oklahoma, Miami moved Randy Phillips to safety and Glen Sharpe is still making his way back into the lineup after missing the first two games of the season with an injury. In addition, the Hurricanes moved DeMarcus Van Dyke into a reserve role so they had two new starters in Bruce Johnson and Carlos Armour last week. Meanwhile, the Aggies are more settled at receiver. Kerry Franks has the second gear to stretch the field, Earvin Taylor uses his considerable girth to shield defenders from the ball and Pierre Brown is an adequate No. 3. And if the Hurricanes decide to shade their safeties to the outside in an effort to help the corners, it will only open up the middle of the field for tight end Martellus Bennett who has the athletic ability to capitalize. However, there is one hurdle Texas A&M must overcome to have success moving the ball through the air and that's keeping defensive end Calais Campbell off of McGee. Campbell has rare explosiveness for a player his size and the power to drive blockers back into the pocket when he doesn't get past tackles with his first step. OTs Yemi Babalola and Corey Clark are going to have a hard time blocking him one-on-one. As a result, expect the Aggies to frequently adjust their protection to give their tackles help and/or roll the mobile McGee away from Campbell.
Miami Offense vs. Texas A&M Defense Head coach Randy Shannon has made it clear the Hurricanes are a running team and the numbers bear him out, as they have run the ball almost twice as much as they've thrown it. More importantly, it makes sense because this offense goes as young running backs Graig Cooper and Javarris James and the offensive line go. Cooper and James are both balanced backs who have the burst to turn the corner and flash the ability to pick up yards after contact. And a Miami offensive line that averages close to 306 pounds is at its best paving the way for the ground game. But don't expect the Hurricanes to run all over the Aggies. Defensive tackle Red Bryant and nose tackle Henry Smith are stout in the middle. They should be able to hold their own against a strong interior Hurricane offensive line led by left offensive guard Andrew Bain and keep it off middle linebacker Misi Tupe. On the edge, strong-side linebacker Mark Dodge is a high-motor player tackles well and weak-side linebacker Jordan Pugh has excellent range. In addition, strong safety Alton Dixon is the fourth-leading tackler on the team and Texas A&M can afford to creep him up because of Miami's lack of consistent passing attack.
Quarterback Kyle Wright replaced Kirby Freeman as the starter last week and proceeded to throw two interceptions and lose a fumble. It's unclear whether or not there is going to be another change and there is a chance both quarterbacks play, but the Hurricanes have to do a better job of protecting the football. Against an Aggies' pass defense that has already recorded four interceptions, sound pass protection that gives the quarterback time to go through his progressions and make sound decisions would be a big help. There's reason to be optimistic. Texas A&M hasn't done a great job of getting to the quarterback and Miami's front five has done an adequate job of keeping opposing front fours at bay. In addition, the Hurricane receivers should have some success getting open against cornerbacks Danny Gorrer and Marquis Carpenter so Wright and/or Freeman won't have to hold onto the ball too long. Lance Leggett has the height and speed to stretch the field vertically, which will open the underneath routes for explosive Sam Shields. However, Freeman and/or Kirby still have to take advantage of the time they get and not press for the big play when it isn't there.
Special Teams
Texas A&M's Matt Szymanski has connected on six of his eight field goal attempts and both misses came from beyond 40 yards, so he's been accurate and consistent. The only concern here is Fresno State blocked one of his field goal attempts the second week of the season. On kickoffs, Szymanski's shown excellent range with eight of his 21 kickoffs resulting in touchbacks. Miami kickoff return men Ryan Hill, Richard Gordon and Shawnbrey McNeal are all speedsters but the results thus far have been pedestrian and the Aggies' kickoff cover unit has been solid. P Justin Brantly is averaging 42.7 yards per punt and placed two of his nine punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line. He will be kicking to Hurricane return man Graig Cooper who is averaging a respectable 8.2 yards per return. Texas A&M has also done a sound job of covering kicks so it should be able to limit the production of Cooper as well. At this point, it's unclear who will handle kickoffs for Miami. Francesco Zampogna had filled that role until his last two kickoffs in the FIU game just didn't have the distance. While the Hurricanes turned to Matt Bosher in the third quarter of that game, he fared worse. So chances are they either go back to Zampogna or turn to Daren Daley, who has 10 kickoffs this year and has done the best out of the three. Miami's kickoff cover unit has done an adequate job of masking the inconsistencies and lack of production here, but that could change this week. Texas A&M kickoff return men Kerry Franks and Pierre Brown have both flashed big-play ability. As far as field goals go, Zampogna has connected on six of his eight attempts including a 45-yarder so he has decent range. However, he missed a 27-yard field goal attempt wide right last week and he doesn't have a great deal of experience, so there are concerns about his consistency and accuracy. Matt Bosher has placed four of his 17 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line and hasn't shown much range up to this point. However, eight of his punts have resulted in fair catches and his cover unit has been solid. Aggies' return man Jordan Peterson, who is averaging 6.2 yards per return, should have a difficult time making an impact as a result.
Overview
Miami's home field advantage and experience playing in nationally televised games certainly helps its cause -- but not enough to overcome its laundry list of personnel issues. Look no further than the quarterback position for the reason. Texas A&M's McGee is a field general who led the Aggies to away wins at Oklahoma State and Texas last year. The hostile atmosphere and noise level at the Orange Bowl won't rattle him. He will use his arm and legs -- as well as his savvy and toughness -- to lead Texas A&M on long scoring drives that take the air out of the stadium. On the flip side, Miami has more questions than answers at quarterback, forcing the offensive line and talented backfield to shoulder too much of the offensive load.
A&M +2
2 Units
Texas A&M runs the ball considerably more than it passes, but its lack of balance doesn't make it easier to defend because its ground attack is so dynamic. It starts with the personnel in the backfield. At running back, Jorvorskie Lane is a power back who can run defenders over, Mike Goodson can go the distance every time he touches the ball and Chris Alexander is another big back. Quarterback Stephen McGee is an effective open-field runner who reads defenses well and excels at running the option, which brings us to the second point. Aggies' offensive coordinator Les Koenning Jr.'s scheme implements the option, zone reads and power isolation blocking taking advantage of each player's strength and keeping offenses off balance. Of course, it helps to have an experienced offensive line anchored by stalwarts center Cody Wallace and left offensive guard Charles Elder doing work front. None of this bodes well for Miami's run defense. Though the Hurricanes are giving up an average of just 2.9 yards per carry, outside linebackers Spencer Adkins and Colin McCarthy are relatively inexperienced. As a result, there are concerns about their abilities to stay disciplined when they see option and avoid getting caught out of position when Texas A&M runs its zone read. Secondly, there are questions at defensive tackle, where the Hurricanes replaced Dwayne Hendricks and Teraz McCray with Vegas Franklin and Joe Joseph last week.
McGee is coming off his best throwing performance of the young season and there's reason to believe his success will continue this week. Safety Kenny Phillips is one of the best in the nation, but the Hurricanes' situation at corner is a mess. After he struggled against Oklahoma, Miami moved Randy Phillips to safety and Glen Sharpe is still making his way back into the lineup after missing the first two games of the season with an injury. In addition, the Hurricanes moved DeMarcus Van Dyke into a reserve role so they had two new starters in Bruce Johnson and Carlos Armour last week. Meanwhile, the Aggies are more settled at receiver. Kerry Franks has the second gear to stretch the field, Earvin Taylor uses his considerable girth to shield defenders from the ball and Pierre Brown is an adequate No. 3. And if the Hurricanes decide to shade their safeties to the outside in an effort to help the corners, it will only open up the middle of the field for tight end Martellus Bennett who has the athletic ability to capitalize. However, there is one hurdle Texas A&M must overcome to have success moving the ball through the air and that's keeping defensive end Calais Campbell off of McGee. Campbell has rare explosiveness for a player his size and the power to drive blockers back into the pocket when he doesn't get past tackles with his first step. OTs Yemi Babalola and Corey Clark are going to have a hard time blocking him one-on-one. As a result, expect the Aggies to frequently adjust their protection to give their tackles help and/or roll the mobile McGee away from Campbell.
Miami Offense vs. Texas A&M Defense Head coach Randy Shannon has made it clear the Hurricanes are a running team and the numbers bear him out, as they have run the ball almost twice as much as they've thrown it. More importantly, it makes sense because this offense goes as young running backs Graig Cooper and Javarris James and the offensive line go. Cooper and James are both balanced backs who have the burst to turn the corner and flash the ability to pick up yards after contact. And a Miami offensive line that averages close to 306 pounds is at its best paving the way for the ground game. But don't expect the Hurricanes to run all over the Aggies. Defensive tackle Red Bryant and nose tackle Henry Smith are stout in the middle. They should be able to hold their own against a strong interior Hurricane offensive line led by left offensive guard Andrew Bain and keep it off middle linebacker Misi Tupe. On the edge, strong-side linebacker Mark Dodge is a high-motor player tackles well and weak-side linebacker Jordan Pugh has excellent range. In addition, strong safety Alton Dixon is the fourth-leading tackler on the team and Texas A&M can afford to creep him up because of Miami's lack of consistent passing attack.
Quarterback Kyle Wright replaced Kirby Freeman as the starter last week and proceeded to throw two interceptions and lose a fumble. It's unclear whether or not there is going to be another change and there is a chance both quarterbacks play, but the Hurricanes have to do a better job of protecting the football. Against an Aggies' pass defense that has already recorded four interceptions, sound pass protection that gives the quarterback time to go through his progressions and make sound decisions would be a big help. There's reason to be optimistic. Texas A&M hasn't done a great job of getting to the quarterback and Miami's front five has done an adequate job of keeping opposing front fours at bay. In addition, the Hurricane receivers should have some success getting open against cornerbacks Danny Gorrer and Marquis Carpenter so Wright and/or Freeman won't have to hold onto the ball too long. Lance Leggett has the height and speed to stretch the field vertically, which will open the underneath routes for explosive Sam Shields. However, Freeman and/or Kirby still have to take advantage of the time they get and not press for the big play when it isn't there.
Special Teams
Texas A&M's Matt Szymanski has connected on six of his eight field goal attempts and both misses came from beyond 40 yards, so he's been accurate and consistent. The only concern here is Fresno State blocked one of his field goal attempts the second week of the season. On kickoffs, Szymanski's shown excellent range with eight of his 21 kickoffs resulting in touchbacks. Miami kickoff return men Ryan Hill, Richard Gordon and Shawnbrey McNeal are all speedsters but the results thus far have been pedestrian and the Aggies' kickoff cover unit has been solid. P Justin Brantly is averaging 42.7 yards per punt and placed two of his nine punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line. He will be kicking to Hurricane return man Graig Cooper who is averaging a respectable 8.2 yards per return. Texas A&M has also done a sound job of covering kicks so it should be able to limit the production of Cooper as well. At this point, it's unclear who will handle kickoffs for Miami. Francesco Zampogna had filled that role until his last two kickoffs in the FIU game just didn't have the distance. While the Hurricanes turned to Matt Bosher in the third quarter of that game, he fared worse. So chances are they either go back to Zampogna or turn to Daren Daley, who has 10 kickoffs this year and has done the best out of the three. Miami's kickoff cover unit has done an adequate job of masking the inconsistencies and lack of production here, but that could change this week. Texas A&M kickoff return men Kerry Franks and Pierre Brown have both flashed big-play ability. As far as field goals go, Zampogna has connected on six of his eight attempts including a 45-yarder so he has decent range. However, he missed a 27-yard field goal attempt wide right last week and he doesn't have a great deal of experience, so there are concerns about his consistency and accuracy. Matt Bosher has placed four of his 17 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line and hasn't shown much range up to this point. However, eight of his punts have resulted in fair catches and his cover unit has been solid. Aggies' return man Jordan Peterson, who is averaging 6.2 yards per return, should have a difficult time making an impact as a result.
Overview
Miami's home field advantage and experience playing in nationally televised games certainly helps its cause -- but not enough to overcome its laundry list of personnel issues. Look no further than the quarterback position for the reason. Texas A&M's McGee is a field general who led the Aggies to away wins at Oklahoma State and Texas last year. The hostile atmosphere and noise level at the Orange Bowl won't rattle him. He will use his arm and legs -- as well as his savvy and toughness -- to lead Texas A&M on long scoring drives that take the air out of the stadium. On the flip side, Miami has more questions than answers at quarterback, forcing the offensive line and talented backfield to shoulder too much of the offensive load.
A&M +2
2 Units
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