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Texas A&M Football

Gap between Aggies and Tide as much about intangible instinct as talent

October 3, 2020
25,123

Analyze the numbers. Compare heights and weights. Look up 40-yard dash times. And, yes, count the recruiting stars.

That won’t fully explain the vast chasm that exists between Alabama and Texas A&M.

A large part of the difference is located someplace in the mind or heart or both. There resides (or doesn’t) some intangible quality that determines whether a football player flourishes or flounders in pressurized situations.

That was a major factor in No. 2 Alabama’s 52-24 victory over on No 13 Texas A&M on Saturday afternoon. And it was as clear as the sunny sky above Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Don’t misunderstand. The Aggies were not going to beat Alabama. Not on this day. Probably not on any day this season.

The Crimson Tide receivers are too fast. Quarterback Mac Jones, who threw four touchdown passes and for 435 yards, is too accurate. A&M’s secondary is still too vulnerable.

But the Aggies could have at least kept the game interesting with some clutch plays in the first half. Instead, two demoralizing passes — one which fell incomplete and another A&M wishes had — rendered the Aggies doomed by halftime.

The Tuscaloosa News-USA TODAY Sports
John Metchie got behind the Aggie secondary for long TDs twice Saturday.

A&M quickly fell behind 14-0 on Mac Jones’ 78-yard touchdown pass to John Metchie and a 6-yard touchdown run by Najee Harris.

But Ainias Smith showed the Aggies have big-play ability too. He turned a short pass from Kellen Mond into a 47-yard touchdown as he tight-roped down the sideline late in the first quarter.

About a minute later, DeMarvin Leal intercepted a deflected pass and rumbled 23 yards to the Alabama 17-yard line. Mond hit Ryan Renick with the touchdown pass on the next play. Just like that A&M pulled even on the first play of the second quarter.

Alabama regained the lead on a second touchdown run by Harris. However, the disaster didn’t start until A&M’s ensuing series.

Backed up by a holding penalty, Mond was aiming to convert a third-and-13. His aim, though, was inaccurate. Mond threw behind Jalen Preston on the sideline. Instead of a first down, the football went directly to Alabama safety Daniel Wright, who returned the interception 47 yards for a touchdown.

That was the disastrous catch. The drop was worse.

The Aggies responded to the turnover by moving the Alabama 35-yard line where they faced fourth-and-two with about 90 seconds remaining in the half.

Mond’s fourth-down pass was perfect to Smith coming across the field. The first down was assured. Smith might even get inside 20 or even score.

He dropped the ball.

“That’s just one of those details plays,” Mond said. “We felt like we got him in a really good look and got a nice matchup on a defensive end. It could’ve been big play.”

The incompletion gave Alabama one more opportunity. With the A&M defense playing back to prevent a big play, the Tide gladly worked underneath for completions of 10, 11, 11, 4 and 9 yards.

That all added up to DeVonta Smith catching a 2-yard touchdown pass with one toe just inside the back of the end zone. That gave Alabama a 35-14 lead at the break.

A&M wasn’t coming back from a 21-point deficit. A national CBS audience knew it. The home crowd knew it. In truth, the Aggies knew it.

“It definitely should be a two-possession game. And then they (Alabama) go back and get a three-score game with a touchdown. That was very critical in the game.
 
- Jimbo Fisher on the Aggies’ issues late in the first half

“It could be a one-possession game,” A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said. “It definitely should be a two-possession game. And then they (Alabama) go back and get a three-score game with a touchdown. That was very critical in the game.”

The Aggies tried to mount a second half rally. They might have made it interesting had Wydermyer held on to a third-and-11 pass inside the 5-yard line. That could have set up a touchdown to bring Aggies within 35-21.

A&M had to settle for a field goal. It’s hard to blame Wydermyer. Alabama safety Jordan Battle was draped all over him and the catch would’ve been spectacular. Criticizing him for failing to make a circus catch wouldn’t be fair.

Yet, Alabama’s Smith did make the circus catch just before the half. And it made big difference.

The national media now will again question whether hiring Jimbo Fisher was a massive, expensive mistake for A&M. Some Aggies are now asking that question, too.

It’s way to soon to jump to that conclusion. But the Aggies must bounce back strong.

Florida and Mississippi State looms in the next two weeks. Florida quarterback Kyle Trask has thrown 10 touchdown passes in two games. Mississippi State torched LSU’s secondary.

A strategy must be found to contain them. And the Aggie must find that intangible quality to make pivotal plays in the clutch.

Discussion from...

Gap between Aggies and Tide as much about intangible instinct as talent

20,186 Views | 17 Replies | Last: 3 yr ago by Just Tired
Just Tired
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when the gap is as wide as the grand canyon you can throw a lot of things in there.
oldfart79
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75 mil ob , was thinking we'd be more competitive by now three yrs of recruts and were still not even close the fat girls are ressless
oldfart79
ssolari94
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Bunk Moreland
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Way too* soon.

Though even with the fify I don't think it's too soon to question. Auburn 2019 was the first major question mark about Jimbo.
TAMU74
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AG
Good write up Olin. I agree 100% w/ your analysis.
The Aggies just don't have the talent, coaching or mental toughness to compete w/ Bama.
No need kidding ourselves. We are no where near competing w/ the Bama's of the world.
We're a second tier team in the SEC and will be for the fore seeable future.
merc
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AG
I'm really disappointed on how badly coached we are in general and at many specific positions. Add that to the fact you CANNOT win a championship of in sort in modern cfb without a few superstar skill players. If after 3 years pf recruiting this is the best we can run out there you might as well add evaluation to the list of failures.
AGDAD14
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In key moments of any sport... you either shine... or you choke! Bama stars shine... Aggies choke.

The secondary technique and scheme needs a lot of work, which includes rushing the passer.

BTHO Florida!!! and tu forever!!!
oklacityag75
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AG
Quote:

The national media now will again question whether hiring Jimbo Fisher was a massive, expensive mistake for A&M. Some Aggies are now asking that question, too.


This was a rewrite of articles written on Jackie Sherrill in 1984

While I'm upset with the lethargic, uninspired way we play, Jimbo is the man. He needs to get out of the way and allow the OC call the entire game without being intimidated by the HC on each call
30wedge
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Look at the recruiting classes of each over the past three or so years and how many of them are still on the roster. It's the talent and it's coaching that talent.
BQDrummer85
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AG
I agree too, it's like Alabama is in their head. Nothing else matters at that point!
JoltinJoe
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AG
oklacityag75 said:

Quote:

The national media now will again question whether hiring Jimbo Fisher was a massive, expensive mistake for A&M. Some Aggies are now asking that question, too.


This was a rewrite of articles written on Jackie Sherrill in 1984

While I'm upset with the lethargic, uninspired way we play, Jimbo is the man. He needs to get out of the way and allow the OC call the entire game without being intimidated by the HC on each call
As I posted on another thread, winners aren't down 35-14 at halftime very often. When they are, and when the opposition is slated to get the ball first in the 2nd half, and when there are 25 seconds left on the clock before halftime, winners do NOT take a knee. There was absolutely NOTHING to lose at this point.

Jimbo is NOT the man. And it sucks!
JoltinJoe
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AG
I must admit, seeing the sips lose again yesterday to their Daddy TCU helped make the Saturday a bit more bearable.
Forty Twice
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AG
The gap is 2 - 11 = -9.
lkg
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AG
The Alabama receivers flat out outran our safeties. On the other hand, our wide receivers outran Alabama's safeties several times with 0 results.
BoxingAg84
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Solari's final post on texags.
texag_89
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I saw this as well. RIP 94. Here.



























































Just Tired
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did anything different happen today (early signing day) to chip at this glass ceiling?
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