Momentum Shifts: A&M showcased its elite QB & offensive firepower

Conference play is right around the corner, and Texas A&M will be kicking off the SEC gauntlet against Auburn at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

After an extremely disappointing loss two weeks ago at Miami Hurricanes, the Aggies got things headed back in the right direction against Louisiana Monroe last Saturday afternoon.

Despite the loss to the Hurricanes, one of the bright spots of the season so far has been the overall performance of the A&M offense under new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino.

Against Miami, the Aggies were a little off in the first half but took advantage of a few short fields to capitalize and get some points. By the time A&M got back into a rhythm against Miami, our defense had given up too many big plays. That plus the two second-half turnovers proved too much to overcome.

After three games, it looks to me like the most important key for the rest of the year is going to be the production and performance of this new and improved offense led by the exceptional Conner Weigman.

Against ULM, Weigman was 25-of-29, threw for 337 yards and two passing touchdowns.

For the year, he's completed 74 of his 105 passes for 909 yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions. Weigman has shown mental toughness, a willingness to stay in the pocket and take hits, the ability to make throws at multiple levels of the field, the ability to create when things break down and the poise of a veteran leader.

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

A year ago at Auburn, Weigman completed just 39 percent of his passes for 121 yards and a touchdown in a 13-10 loss. He already appears to be much improved.

Weigman is the type of QB that you cannot allow to go to waste.

Almost every championship team that I remember since being a player or fan has come down to elite QB play or an elite defense. A&M currently has one of those at the moment.

The thing that gives me hope entering SEC play is the balance, production and newly discovered big-play ability of A&M’s offense.

Against ULM, the Aggies scored on every possession that had #15 at QB.

They gained over 500 total yards of offense. They had over 300 yards passing. They had two wide receivers — Ainias Smith and Jahdae Walker — go over 100 yards (without Noah Thomas and Evan Stewart, mind you). They had three running backs get eight touches or more. They got the tight end more involved.

Not to mention one of my favorite things to track each game: They converted 64 percent of their third downs.

At the beginning of fall camp, Aggies across the country got excited to hear Petrino say these words:

“Feed the studs.”

Doing so will be critical to the continued improvement and production of the offense, but it sure is nice when the person who is feeding the studs is probably the best player on the team.

I am excited about the momentum the A&M offense has as we head into conference play with some questions left to be answered on one side of the ball.

As our favorite resident linebacker Sean Porter said in one of his segments this week, there are some things on the defensive side of the ball that can be cleaned up with some good coaching and a combination of focus and mental toughness from our players.

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

Ainias Smith’s seven-catch, 127-yard performance vs. ULM marks the first time he has crossed the century mark in 2023.

There is a lot of talent on the offensive side of the football for Texas A&M right now, and I think that will ultimately be our key to a great season.

Still, there is also a lot on the defensive side of the ball.

In the book “Your Road Map for Success,” Nelson Boswell said, “The difference between greatness and mediocrity is often how an individual views mistakes. When you have the right attitude, failure is neither fatal nor final. In fact, it can be a springboard to success.”

A&M’s offense is improving each week and gaining confidence as they prepare to face Auburn this weekend. For A&M to be great as a team, I believe the defense needs to prepare each day with the right attitude, knowing that they can learn from the early season shortcomings and use those as a springboard to success.

Here is to the Aggies riding the momentum of their elite QB play and explosive offense while coming together in all three phases of the game to secure a win to kick off SEC play.

BTHOauburn