The12thManchild.com’s take on The U vs. aTm

I traded columns with Brad at The12thManchild.com this week. My take on the Miami game will go live later today and I’m posting the Aggies’ perspective here at allCanesBlog.com.

Click here to check out my column at the aTm site. The12thManchild says:

General Preview: Both programs have a lot riding on Thursday night’s game. For Miami, it’s a chance to put forth a new face to the nation and legitimize the new coaching staff. For Texas A&M, it’s the first game since the Holiday Bowl loss to Cal to redeem themselves in the eyes of voters. Nobody doubts the Aggies are talented and experience, they’re all just counting on the Aggies to stumble on the road.

RBs Javarris James & Graig Cooper vs. LBs Mark Dodge and Misi Tupe – Advantage: James and Cooper. The Canes backfield is much quicker than the Aggie LBs, as long as play calling keeps James and Cooper running offtackle, the hurricanes shouldn’t have too much of a problem running all night.

The Option vs. Miami D – Advantage: The Option. Calais Campbell or not, there aren’t many teams feature the option in their packages any more. Though speed will certainly make the learning curve easier, it’s a tall order to try to teach a team to properly defend the option in one week, much less a short week. Not to mention that it’s one thing to master it against the scrub team O, and another to try to shut down a starting QB and Backfield that have been running it together for 2 years now.

Aggie D-Line vs. Miami O-Line – Advantage: Miami O-Line. Though the Aggie defensive line has improved since the start of the season, they’re still underperforming in all aspects of play. Kyle Wright will have all night to throw.

Miami’s Keys to Victory:
– Establish solid passing game, shred A&M secondary
– Contain the option, force A&M to pass
– Limit INTs and other turnovers

Texas A&M’s Keys to Victory:
– establish running game, control pace of game
– get pressure on QB, force turnovers
– capitalize on turnovers

Prediction time: It’s a tough call. Both teams are highly motivated with a chip on their shoulder. The OB isn’t necessarily an intimidating place to play, but the Ags never fare well in their first away game of the season under Fran. The speed of the Miami offense doesn’t worry me. Our team is used to giving up 20-40 pts to good opponents. It’s the speed of the defense that truly worries me, a much faster defense (see Cal in 2006 Holiday Bowl) can overcome a complex offense.

Yet, this Miami team still has not displayed the discipline on the field necessary to overcome the dogfight they’re in for thursday night. A team can’t hope to give up 80 yds in penalties and 2-3 turnovers and still hope to come out on top in a close game.

The Ags will come out shaky in the first half, but experience and leadership will takeover in the 2nd half leading the Ags to a 35-24 victory.

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