Texas A&M @ SMU

Scouting Report for Texas A&M Aggies(0-1) vs. SMU Mustangs (1-1)
September 15, 2012- Gerald Ford Stadium, University Park,TX

Texas A&M: New coach, new quarterback, new conference, but the same old problem. Once again, the Aggies can't hold a lead in the 2nd half. New head coach Kevin Sumlin will look to get the Aggies 1st win on the road.

A&M had very good 1st half against the Florida Gators. Sadly, the Aggies point total stalled at 17 with 7:01 before halftime. With the Gators down by 10, they rallied back with 13 unanswered points. The game was over with 13:05 remaining in the game. QB Johnny Manziel had a great time rushing in the 1st half (7 carries, 53 YDS and 1 TD). But the defense adjusted in the second half with Manziel gaining 17 yards on 10 carries. Speaking of defense, the Aggies defense was very successful against the pass. They got 8 sacks on QB Jeff Driskel and were getting quite a bit of pressure on him.
But when it came to the running game featuring Mike Gillislee (83 YDS and 2 TD on 14 carries), the Aggies were doomed.

SMU: Good thing stats don't win games, because SMU was outgained 466-328 in total yards against the Lumberjacks of Stephen F. Austin. So how did the Mustangs get a 52-0 blowout? When your team forces 6 picks and recover 4 fumbles is a start. And capitalizing on those opportunities were something that the Ponies did all game long.

QB Garrett Gilbert (19-36 205 YDS, 1 TD and 1 INT) improved a bit and RB Zach Line (19 carries, 60 YDS and 2 TD). The defense had a dream game with performances from CB's Ryan Smith and Kenneth Acker(2 INT's a piece). Acker scored on his 2 pick of the day (77 YD return) and scored on a blocked FG attempt (56 YD return). LB Ja'Gared Davis had a 34 YD return off a turnover as well.

What to watch for: Texas A&M needs the offense to mix up the play calling. Florida head coach Will Muschamp has familiarity with the Aggies (Texas DC 2008-10), and the rest is history. If they are going to win Manziell (23-30, 179 YDS passing) will need to depend on WR's Mike Evans (7 catches 60 YDS)and Ryan Swope (5 catches 16 YDS). RB Christine Michael (13 carries 2.5 YPC) will need to step it up as well.

SFA was too easy for the Mustangs last game and it showed. As long as SMU can learn from their mistakes against Baylor (59-24 defeat), the Ponies will make this a close ball game. The Aggies offense can be high octane just like Baylor's. Which means that Gilbert will need to be consistent like he was against the Lumberjacks to have any chance against A&M.

Conclusion: Coach Sumlin has been perfect against SMU head coach June Jones. When he was the head man at Houston, the Cougars were 4-0 against the Ponies in conference play. While that may play a key factor, the Aggies have had their issues in the second half. If Gilbert can be consistent and give the defense heavy doses of Line, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that SMU will end their winless streak against Sumlin. With Manziell being a true freshman playing his first road game and the SMU defense coming off a spectacular performance, this game should be pretty close.

Prediction: Texas A&M by 9.

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