Time Change? Aggies aim to prove November struggles are thing of past

November is a time to fall back.

It’s when clocks reset and Texas A&M football recedes.

Maybe this year will be different -- for the Aggies, anyway. Maybe this year the time change proves a time for change. Maybe this year the all-too-familiar November fade gives way to a November upgrade.

That may be determined to a large degree on Saturday when the Aggies (5-3, 3-2 in the Southeastern Conference) travel to face Auburn (5-3, 2-3) for an 11 a.m. kickoff at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Lindsay Caudle, TexAgs

The A&M receiving corps must right the ship this week against Auburn. 

The reversal of A&M’s November fortunes — like the time change — could come down to an adjustment of hands. A&M receivers dropped eight of quarterback Kellen Mond’s passes and defensive backs failed to deflect throws that resulted in big plays in last week’s 28-13 loss to Mississippi State.

“Everybody had their share of mistakes - it wasn't just one guy,” coach Jimbo Fisher said. “We had way too many dropped balls. Defensively, we had too many big plays on third down. We gave up a couple in the passing game that we can't do.”

The Aggies cannot afford to repeat those a mishaps. Auburn has a sound run defense but has been vulnerable to the pass. The last two quarterbacks Auburn faced — Tennessee’s Jarrett Guarantano and Ole Miss’ Jordan Ta’amu — passed more than 300 yards.

Further, Auburn figures to frequently test A&M’s secondary because its running game has been uncharacteristically anemic. The Tigers have rushed for 130 yards or less in five of their last six games. Plus, leading rusher JaTarvious Whitlow's status is questionable. If he plays if is expected to be limited with an unspecified injury.

However, Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham is an accurate passer and has speedy targets in receivers Ryan Davis, Anthony Schwartz and Seth Williams.

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The A&M secondary will need to be stout against accurate passer Jarrett Stidham. 

That's a troublesome combination for the Aggies secondary, which has allowed 35 pass plays of 20 yards or more.

A&M is also fighting against history and trends. Since joining the SEC in 2012 the Aggies have followed every loss to Mississippi State with another loss. Meanwhile, under coach Gus Malzahn, Auburn, which was idle last week, is 7-0 in games following an open date.

True, the visiting team has won every SEC game in the series, but the Aggies cannot count on that to continue. They’re going to have to make it happen.

“You’ve got to play to make a statement,” Fisher said. “We have to make a statement. Every play has got to be like the last play of the world. I think we play with effort — but effort without total execution and total detail. That’s the key.”

Though A&M certainly needs sure-handed receivers, the production running back Trayveon Williams is another key for the Aggies. Williams has posted the second-highest rushing total in the SEC with 824 yards. However, he’s managed just 88 yards in A&M’s three losses combined.

Williams has had great success against Auburn in the past. Two seasons ago he rushed for 127 yards and had an 89-yard touchdown run in a 29-16 victory at Auburn. Last year he rushed for 103 yards in a 42-27 loss.

Only Mississippi State’s Nick Fitzgerald has reached 100 rushing yards against Auburn this year. Can A&M’s passing game compensate if the running game stagnates? Will the receivers be more sure-handed? Can the A&M secondary prevent — or at least limit — Auburn’s big plays?

Time will tell. Of course, this weekend time will also change.

Maybe the Aggies’ November fortunes will, too.