Florida-Texas A&M: Which Team Can Fix Its Weaknesses In Time For A Much-needed SEC Win?

The winner of this game will be looking postseason play square in the eye while the loser will be left to ponder where the season went off the tracks and what the future may hold for its program.

Second paragraph, second sentence…”While these are the most glaring issue”  ISSUES

Second paragraph, last sentence…”A&M needs threee.”  Misspelled THREE.

Third paragraph, second sentence…”near upset of the Rebels in Oxford.”  The game was played in College Station.

Fourth paragraph, fifth sentence…”Against Ole Miss, the accounted for…”.  THEY

Fifth paragraph, second sentence…”last week at Ole Miss.”  VS.

Eighth paragraph, fourth sentence…”while solid against the pass the Texas A&M only…”.  Erase THE

Ninth paragraph, second sentence…”Now that the games have begun his is staring a another…”.  HE and AT

WHEW!

LOREN MEADOWS

Gatorbaitmedia.com, Football Analyst

For the 3rd time since Texas A&M joined the SEC, the Florida Gators travel to College Station for a matchup against the Aggies. Regardless of questionable scheduling, this is a game both programs desperately need to win.

Florida and its much-maligned defense has surrendered almost 1,100 total yards the past two games, while the Texas A&M offense has lacked creativity and imagination, struggling to find an answer at quarterback. While these are the most glaring issues, both teams have failed to consistently live up to preseason expectations with the Aggies currently on a four-game losing streak and only two wins at Kyle Field this season. Similarly, the Gators, who will be playing only their second game outside Florida, are coming off their worst defensive performance in the Florida-Georgia came and have dismissed one of their top defenders from the team. The winner of this game will be looking postseason play square in the eye while the loser will be left to ponder where the season went off the tracks and what the future may hold for its program. Except Florida only needs two wins to become bowl eligble and A&M needs three.

Texas A&M Offense -- While many felt Coach Jimbo Fisher would stick with sophomore quarterback Haynes King (#13, 6-3, 205) for the second half of the season an injury against South Carolina in Week 7 allowed freshman quarterback Connor Weigman (#15), to make his first collegiate start last week against Ole Miss. Weigman, a 5-star recruit from Cypress, Texas threw for a true freshman record 338 yards and four touchdowns in a near upset of the Rebels. Drawing comparisons to Dak Prescott during his recruitment, Weigman features elite velocity as a passer as he was an elite baseball prospect in high school as well.

At running back Texas A&M features one of college football’s fastest players in Junior Devon Achane (#6, 5-9, 185). While not the biggest back the Gators will face this season Achane possesses what Florida Head Coach Billy Napier refers to as “verified speed” as an All-American sprinter for the Aggies. Achane is a versatile back with good hands who is currently the only Power 5 player to score a touchdown as a rusher, receiver, and kick returner this year. At receiver the Aggies feature some of the SEC’s best young players. The trio of Evan Stewart (#1, 5-11, 170), Moose Muhammed (#7, 6-1, 195), and Tight End Donovan Green (#18, 6-4, 235) have combined for 78 catches and 6 touchdowns. Against Ole Miss, the accounted for 18 of Weigman’s 28 completions. Stewart was a coveted recruit in 2022 cycle while Muhammed is the son of former NFL receiver Muhsin Muhammed and the most polished receiver of the group. Upfront the Aggies will be without three starters on the offensive line with highly touted Freshman Kam Dewberry (#75, 6-4, 330) making his third start at left guard.

Statistically, Texas A&M is one of the nation’s worst offensive teams, with just 360 yards of total offense per game, 62 yards less than the inconsistent offense of the Gators. The Aggies did however manage to accumulate 480 yards of offense in a pass-happy game last week at Ole Miss. With a an offensive line that will feature back-ups and likely two true freshman, the Gators could find an advantage against the Aggies and limit Achane on the ground. However, with the dismissal of Brenton Cox Jr. from an already limited defensive front the playing field may be leveled in the trenches. Last week the Gators secondary forced Stetson Bennett into three interceptions and three more that should have been. Will Patrick Tony’s “creepers" make young Weigman look pedestrian now that the Gators have a couple game tapes to evaluate? The secondary-receiver matchups are concerning as the Gator corners have struggled against top level receivers from both Tennessee and LSU. Stewart and Muhammed are just as capable.

Dean (0) and Burney (2) hope to confuse Aggies QB Weigman (Chris Spears photo)

Texas A&M Defense -- Under new defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, the Aggies defense stands on opposite sides of the spectrum based upon their first eight games, ranked seventh nationally against the pass. The Aggies surrender only 170 yards per game through the air. On the other end the defense ranks 120th nationally, surrendering 206 yards per game. In the secondary, safeties Demani Richardson (#26, 6-1, 210) and Jardin Gilbert (#20, 6-1, 185) have stood out for the Aggies. Gilbert is tied for the team lead in tackles (53), while Richardson steadies the group as the elder statesman of the unit. A third member of the group, and possibly its best is safety Antonio Johnson (#27, 6-3, 185) who was a Preseason All-American but has not seen the field since the Alabama game and was listed as “day to day” to begin the week.

Despite their struggles against the run, Texas A&M is not without players that can make an impact up front. Linebacker Chris Russell Jr. (#24, 6-2, 235) is tied with Gilbert for the team lead in tackles, leads the team in tackles for loss (5.5) and is second on the team with 2.5 sacks. With at least five tackles in each game, Russell provides stability for a struggling unit. On the defensive line the Aggies best has been New Jersey native Fadil Diggs (#10, 6-5, 260). Diggs is an athletic pass rusher with range. He leads the team in sacks (3.0) and is second on the team in tackles for loss (5.0). Diggs had his best outing of his career against Alabama with two sacks, three tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles.

The numbers are glaring. Florida has the nation’s 26th best rushing attack while the Aggies are coming off a game where they surrendered almost 400 yards rushing to Ole Miss. Surely the Gators will look to establish the run game and find out if Durkin and crew have fixed the issues from a week ago. While solid against the pass the Texas A&M only has two interceptions on the year which means that while they don’t allow completions the secondary is not full of ball hawks. With the three (sometimes four) man rotation at running back as well as Anthony Richardson to account for in the run game, the Gators have an opportunity to have one of its better rushing performances of the season after a poor showing last week against Georgia. Florida receiver Justin Shorter is listed as questionable for the game but has begun to emerge as a reliable deep threat for the Gators. If the Gators can establish the run early, Gilbert and Demani Richardson could be forced to play closer to the line of scrimmage and allow for play action pass over the top.

Etienne (7) key to the run against struggling Aggie defense (Chris Spears photo)

The Skinny: Jimbo Fisher had an interesting off-season where he signed the “greatest recruiting class ever” and sparred with his former boss. Now that the games have begun he is staring at another interesting offseason straight in the eye. With three offensive linemen out and four members of the ballyhooed recruiting class suspended indefinitely, this is a great opportunity for the Gators to go to College Station and get a win. Coach Napier, however, is beginning to feel the pressure of life in Gainesville as well - - especially with the Aggies reportedly dealing with a flu outbreak. His quarterback has been inconsistent, his defense porous and he just dismissed his best pass rusher. So which team can put its issues aside and focus in on Saturday? While the Aggies may have the better roster on paper, the Gators will arrive in Texas with a more unified team and a little more to play for. The Gators see 8-4 as an expectation while in College station 7-5 is a major and almost catastrophic disappointment. Connor Weigman -- if he plays -- will come into the game with the confidence of a solid performance a week ago and will rely on capable playmakers. However, the Gators did show some defensive backbone against a much more versatile offense in Jacksonville and will force Weigman into at least one big “freshman” mistake. The Gators run game travels and the Gators find a way to get to 5-4.

Prediction: Florida 27, Texas A&M 24