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Texas A&M Football

Texas A&M's path to a Florida bowl likely depends on winning in Baton Rouge

November 26, 2021
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A trip to Florida for Texas A&M quite literally and figuratively goes through Baton Rouge.

The No. 15 Aggies (8-3, 4-3) travel I-10 East on Saturday with intentions of securing another trip a few hours farther in that direction.

A&M will also be looking for its first road victory over LSU (5-6, 2-5) since 1994. The Aggies and Tigers clash at 6 p.m.

Most projections have the Aggies playing in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando or the Outback Bowl in Tampa. However, those projections are based on A&M beating LSU.

“We had aspirations of being in the elite New Year’s Six bowls,” sophomore defensive Back Antonio Johnson said. “Whatever bowl we’re going to, we’re going to give a show, for sure.”

Truthfully, the Aggies probably would rather put on that show in a warm Florida climate. A loss could redirect A&M’s bowl plans.

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Saturday is likely Ed Orgeron’s last game as head coach of the Tigers.

It will also put a damper on what has been an up-and-down season.

“We’ve got to play really well,” A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said. “They play really well there. (It’s their) Last (home) game of the year. They’re going to play well.

“Hopefully, we’ll go over and play well. We need to continue to play well, keep achieving. A lot of things we’ve got to play for as far as finishing this season out and having a great year.”

Playing well for A&M translates to putting consistent pressure on LSU quarterback Max Johnson and containing running back Tyrion Davis-Price.

LSU, which likely will be playing its final game under lame-duck coach Ed Orgeron, has scored just 21 points or less in five of its last six SEC games. Meanwhile, A&M’s defense has allowed no more than 20 points in the last five games.

However, A&M also has scoring issues.

Quarterback Zach Calzada has struggled in games away from Kyle Field. He has thrown just three touchdown passes and four interceptions on the road. Further, the Aggies receivers have shown an alarming tendency to drop passes of late.

“You’ve just got to come in with that faceless mentality. When you play in the SEC, you have to give that (opponent) your best. We know they’re going to be hyped up.”
- A&M’s Antonio Johnson

Therefore, the Aggies figure to rely heavily on their running game. A&M needs productive performances from running backs Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane, who are both approaching the 1,000-yard mark.

But that won’t come easy against LSU.

Despite the Tigers’ modest record, their defense is sound. LSU has allowed fewer than 150 rushing yards in four of the last five games. Alabama managed only six rushing yards in a 20-14 victory over LSU.

“Playing in the SEC, they’ve shown all year on any given day any team can win,” Antonio Johnson said. “You’ve just got to come in with that faceless mentality. When you play in the SEC, you have to give that (opponent) your best. We know they’re going to be hyped up.”

The Aggies have reasons to hyped up, too. They can end a losing streak in Baton Rouge. They can stay on track for a 10-win season. And they can likely be assured of a winter trip to Florida.

Discussion from...

Texas A&M's path to a Florida bowl likely depends on winning in Baton Rouge

10,767 Views | 8 Replies | Last: 2 yr ago by AgOutsideAustin
AgOutsideAustin
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AG
Run da ball coach…. Then run it some more
Detmersdislocatedshoulder
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AgOutsideAustin said:

Run da ball coach…. Then run it some more


Agreed

Then bootleg pass, for the love of god punish them for sending the weak side edge rusher on every play.
bv86ag
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AG
They'll be blitzing a ton to put pressure on Calzada.
Hope Ags have been throwing all kind of blitzes at Calzada in practice this week.
They will load the box and blitz to make Calzada beat them.
Spiller and Achane won't get many yards.
Our O-line...especially LT....had better play their best game.
LSU has absolutely nothing to lose and you will see every blitz package known to mankind tonight.
Hope Jimbo has a plan for that.
94 Aggie
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Quick screens in the flats outside corners should help when LSU comes with that full on blitz package. Match their speed and intensity and we should be fine. Gig'em Aggies!!!
Class of 94. We never lost at Kyle Field!
rap93
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AG
Not sure the correct name, but a type of screen TTech used to run on us all the time, where the Oline almost lets the defenders through and the RB scoots past them, then the QB drops the ball right over the defenders heads to the RB.
Absolutely killed us.
fieldtrailer
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AG
Calzada against the blitz? Fisher and new plays against the blitz? This should be fun.
gigemags-99
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AG
AgOutsideAustin
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AG
^^^^^ this
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