Despite bye week respite, Aggies are focused on improving for stretch run
Texas A&M is on a three-game winning streak. The Aggies have catapulted into Top 20. They’re among just six college football teams in the nation to rank in Top 25 in both total offense and defense.
The Aggies (5-2, 3-1 in the Southeastern Conference) are running hot. So, maybe this week’s bye isn’t coming at the best time. Perhaps they’d rather not risk losing the momentum.
“I want to play,” junior cornerback Charles Oliver said on Monday. “But the same time a break is a break.”
Senior defensive tackle Daylon Mack agreed.
“I would like to keep playing, but the bye week came out a really good time,” he said. “A lot of people are banged up.”
The schedule isn’t going to change, so the Aggies should get some much needed R&R. Of course, under coach Jimbo Fisher that might mean regular repetitions instead of rest and relaxation.
“Coming into this Monday you feel like you’re going to work,” Oliver said.
Mack said the Aggies must be careful not to lose their focus in the open week. Past A&M teams have faltered in the final weeks of the season, but — like several of his teammates — Mack feels this team has a different attitude.
“I think we just have to do what we’ve been doing,” he said. “I feel like the mentality of those teams in the past is way different than what we have right now. Just not losing that edge that we have right now. That’s going to be our main focus … just making sure we don’t lose the edge.”
The Aggies will also use the break to try to mend holes in the secondary and get healthy before resuming the season on Oct. 27 against Mississippi State.
Perhaps injured guard Keaton Sutherland, who missed the 26-23 victory over South Carolina on Saturday, will be ready to return to the lineup.
Maybe receiver Jhamon Ausbon will be sufficiently healed from a broken foot to get back in action.
Perhaps cornerback Clifford Chattman and defensive end Michael Clemons, both of whom have yet to play, will be ready for the Mississippi State game.
Fisher, who was recruiting on Monday, might be able to shed light on those questions at a Tuesday press conference. He may have to wait until next week.
Regardless of who may or may not be recovered from injuries, the Aggies do know they will be without senior safety Donovan Wilson for the first half as he sits out a suspension for targeting.
It will be the third time Wilson will have missed a half because of a targeting violation. Oliver admitted Wilson’s absence, even for a half, is reason for concern.
“He brings so much energy. He’s such a factor in our defense that we’ll kind of feel it,” Oliver said. "But we know we have the depth and we have players like KC (Keldrick Carper) that can step up when they need to play. We’ll just let him play his game and we’ll be ready for (Wilson) when he comes back.”
The Aggies need all the help they can get in the secondary. A&M has the nation’s 93rd ranked passing defense and have allowed 17 passes of 30 yards or more. That’s the most in the Southeastern Conference.
However, the Aggies have compensated with the nation’s No. 4 run defense. Overall, A&M is tied with Florida for 21st in total defense. Run defense figures to be key against Mississippi State, averaging 240.6 rushing yards but is 105th in passing offense.
Offensively, the Aggies are ranked 15th in the nation. Alabama, Clemson, Washington State, Appalachian State and Boise State are the only other teams to be ranked in the Top 25 in both total offense and total defense. But, Oliver said the Aggies will not rest of those laurels during the bye week.
“We’re coming into this bye week and you don’t get that bye week feeling,” he said. “We still have that feel like we’re coming back to work. We haven’t accomplished what we need to accomplish. That’s what’s different. I feel like we still have a chance to finish the season undefeated (in remaining games).”
