Texas A&M Aggies
Overall Rank: #13
#5 SEC
Texas A&M comes into the 2020 campaign as a dark horse candidate to win the SEC and reach the playoffs. After going 5-3 and 4-4 in SEC play during Coach Jimbo Fisher’s first two seasons leading the program, there is a big jump to winning the SEC West. But this group has the tools to make it.
2019 Record: 8-5, 4-4
2019 Bowl: Texas Bowl vs. Oklahoma State (W 24-21)
Coach: Jimbo Fisher (17-9 at Texas A&M, 100-32 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Darrell Dickey
Defensive Coordinator: Mike Elko
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Isaiah Spiller, RB, 946 yards
Passing: Kellen Mond, QB, 2,897 yards
Receiving: Jhamon Ausbon, WR, 872 yards
Tackles: Buddy Johnson, LB, 77
Sacks: Tyree Johnson, DL, 4.0
Interceptions: Myles Jones, DB, 2
Other Key Returnees: TE Jalen Wydermyer, LB Anthony Hines III, DB Demani Richardson, DB Keldrick Carper, DB Leon O’Neal Jr
Key Losses: WR Quartney Davis, WR Kendrick Rogers, DL Justin Madubuike, DB Charles Oliver, DB Debione Renfro, P Braden Mann
Offense:
Senior Kellon Mond has been a solid quarterback for the Aggies. Last season he threw for 2,897 yards and 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions. The problem Mond faced last season was largely due to the offensive line. The Aggies allowed the most sacks in the SEC and Mond spent way too much time running for his life. If Mond gets more time, he should be more consistent and put up some solid numbers during his senior season. Consistency at wide receiver would be beneficial for Mond and the Aggies as well. Jhamon Ausbon is back after leading the team with 66 receptions for 872 yards. Tight end Jalen Wydermyer is a solid option, but Texas A&M needs some of their younger talent to play like experienced wide receivers. The ground game was not great last year overall, but Isaiah Spiller had a good season, rushing for 946 yards and ten touchdowns. With Mond adding another running option, expect the Aggies to move up from their eighth place ranking in the SEC in rushing offense.
Defense:
The defense should benefit from a couple impressive recruiting classes. Just having that talented depth will help the Aggies play better on the defensive side of the field. Tyree Johnson, who plays the hybrid/end position, is back after tallying 4.0 sacks last season. Johnson has more responsibilities than just getting to the quarterback though and the Aggies need a couple linemen to step up and get consistent pressure on the opposing quarterback. Linebackers Buddy Johnson and Anthony Hines III bring plenty of starting experience to that unit. Johnson led the team with 77 tackles last season, while Hines added 65. The secondary has options too. Losing cornerback Debione Renfro early to the NFL is a bit of a hit, but there are high expectations for freshman Josh Moten to help pick up the slack.
The Bottom Line:
One key for Texas A&M this season will be the turnover battle. The team ranked 100th in the FBS with a -0.46 turnover margin. If the offense can give Mond more time and the defense can get a few more lucky breaks, that negative turnover margin could quickly turn into a positive one. However, this season will likely come down to just a handful of games. The schedule is pretty easy for the SEC West. The Aggies host Abilene Christian, North Texas, Colorado and Fresno State in non-conference play. Of course the SEC will provide plenty of tests. The first one comes on October 17th with a trip to Auburn. The season ends with games against Alabama and LSU and Texas A&M should be able to head into those two games with their SEC West title hopes intact.
Projected Bowl: Citrus Bowl
2019 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 159.1 (68th in nation, 8th in conference)
Passing Offense: 235.4 (64, 4)
Total Offense: 394.5 (72, 8)
Scoring Offense: 29.5 (62, 6)
Rushing Defense: 130.7 (30, 5)
Pass Defense: 209.5 (41, 7)
Total Defense: 340.2 (29, 8)
Scoring Defense: 22.5 (37, 9)
Turnover Margin: -0.46 (100, 14)
Sacks: 2.23 (58, 7)
Sacks Allowed: 2.62 (107, 14)
Madness 2020 NFL Draft Rankings:
#32 Kellen Mond
