It wasn’t pretty, but Texas A&M preserved its perfect 2025 record with a 16-10 win over Auburn. Next up for the Aggies is a home contest against a much-improved Mississippi State squad. What does Texas A&M need
on the offensive and defensive lines to keep that zero in the loss column?
Let’s dive in.
Offensive Line
Unlike Auburn, the Mississippi State defense isn’t as stout in the trenches. The Bulldogs have just seven sacks on the season, and have allowed 135 yards per game on the ground. I have faith in the offensive line to protect Marcel Reed and to generate push for the rushing attack.
Where I need to see improvement from this unit is in the penalty department. I do think some of the calls against the offensive line were a bit weak from the Auburn game, but the Aggies can’t have another heavily penalized game that kills drives. Holding calls will happen from time to time, but the unsportsmanlike conduct from Chase Bisontis can’t happen. Additionally, while I think the Armaj Reed-Adams ineligible player downfield penalty didn’t necessarily need to be called, I don’t think you can tempt fate like that. Especially when it leads to points coming off the board.
I want to see the clean, dominant performance that this unit is capable of on Saturday.
Defensive Line
The Aggie defense turned in their most impressive performance of the season against Auburn. However, I do question how much of this was about Texas A&M’s defense taking a step forward and how much was about the Auburn offense being completely inept. Auburn has allowed 21 sacks to this point of the season – six more than any other team in the SEC.
Mississippi State represents a much more functional offense, but the Bulldogs do allow pressure, ranking near the bottom of the conference in sacks allowed with 12 on the year. Texas A&M will need to put pressure on Blake Shapen and force him to make mistakes.
Additionally, the Bulldogs possess a pair of extremely talented backs in Fluff Bothwell and Davon Booth. Both backs are averaging over four yards per carry on the season. The challenge here comes in the way Mississippi State will attack. This offense looks to spread opposing defenses out to establish the run.
I’m not fully sold on the defense having fixed its issues with gap discipline and containment, given Auburn’s limited usage of their backs last week. Mississippi State will undoubtedly use its rushing attack more. It’s time to see if this defense really has turned a corner.
I think the Aggies get the job done on Saturday, but don’t expect this to be a comfortable win at home.
