New lines likely the difference on Saturday as A&M begins a new era

New coach Mike Elko brings a new hope for a new Texas A&M football season.

Yet, a new offensive line could mean the difference between victory or defeat on Saturday night at Kyle Field.

And it’s not A&M’s line.

Most of the pregame focus for the No. 20 Aggies' clash with No. 7 Notre Dame has been on the line of scrimmage.

The top-20 showdown at Kyle Field kicks off at 6:30 p.m. CT to officially kick off the “Elko Era” in College Station.

With the return of All-SEC tackle Shemar Turner and the addition of All-Big Ten end Nic Scourton, Texas A&M’s defensive line projects among the best in the nation.

A&M's front four figures to have a significant advantage against an inexperienced Notre Dame offensive line with just a combined six collegiate starts among them.

MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

While Mike Elko enters his first season as Texas A&M’s head coach, Marcus Freeman is set to begin his third in South Bend. He is currently 19-8 at Notre Dame.

True freshman Anthonie Knapp was thrust into the lineup at left tackle because of a season-ending injury to projected starter Charles Jagusah. Left guard Sam Pendleton played in two games last season. The “veterans” of the group are junior right guard Billy Schrauth and center Ashton Craig, who both started the final three games of last season.

But Elko, who last year coached Duke and once was defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, warns that inexperience doesn’t necessarily translate to ineffectiveness. He pointed out that Notre Dame typically produces powerful offensive lines. He doesn’t think this one will be atypical.

“I’m sure these young kids that they’re putting out there for the first time are extremely talented,” Elko said. “That’s why they’ve won the starting jobs they’ve won.

“We’re preparing for a typical Notre Dame offensive line that’s going to be really big and really talented and try to control the line of scrimmage. I would imagine that’s really talented young kids playing.”

Irish quarterback Riley Leonard, a transfer from Duke, apparently has no apprehensions about the Notre Dame blocking.

“Notre Dame is the Mecca of offensive lines in college football, so anybody that's gonna be blocking for me on Saturday is gonna be the best of the best,” he said. “They're going to be fully prepared. They're going to be able to get the job done. We’re Notre Dame, it's what we do. We run the ball and protect the quarterback.”

That might not be as easy against the Aggies. Last year, A&M ranked 14th in the nation in run defense. The Aggies also posted 42 sacks.

Scourton, who led the Big Ten in 2023 with 10 sacks for Purdue, could make the A&M pass rush even fiercer. He makes the challenge even greater for Notre Dame’s offensive line.

There is some newness to Texas A&M’s offensive line, too.

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

Chase Bisontis earned SEC All-Freshman Team and ESPN Freshman All-American honors following 2023.

Adam Cushing is the new line coach. Sophomore Chase Bisontis is at a new position after shifting from right tackle to left guard. Transfers Ar’maj Reed-Adams (Kansas) and Kolinu’u Faaiu (Utah) are newcomers. Aggies are hoping for new results.

Protection must be improved for quarterback Conner Weigman. He was on pace for a stellar campaign last year, but a missed blocking assignment resulted in a season-ending foot injury.

Also, the Aggies must upgrade their run blocking. A&M averaged just 136 rushing yards last season.

Though Notre Dame was 28th in run defense last season, the Irish allowed 176 rushing yards in a loss to Clemson and 185 in a loss to Louisville.

That suggests it is imperative that more room be created for running backs Le’Veon Moss and Amari Daniels.

“Some teams play you in these soft boxes, where you have a lot of run angles,” Elko said. “Notre Dame won’t for the majority of the night.

“We’re going to have to get creative in how we create opportunities for our backs to get some space and get going.”