Texas A&M should not need a perfect performance to beat The Citadel on Saturday. The talent gap between the programs is significant, and the Aggies will enter the game as overwhelming favorites even if sportsbooks do not release an official betting line.
That does not make this a meaningless game for Mike Elko and his staff. A&M has lost three of its first four SEC games, failed to score a touchdown against LSU and Missouri and struggled to establish an identity on either side of the ball.
The Citadel gives the coaches a chance to make changes before the schedule gets difficult again. How they use that opportunity will be more important than what the scoreboard says after 60 minutes.
Why the coaching staff is the X-factor
Elko said after the Missouri loss that “everything has to be
on the table.” Now the Aggies need to show what that means.
Offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins must find a plan that makes Marcel Reed more comfortable and gets the running backs involved early. Reed does not need to throw 40 times against an FCS opponent. A&M should use the game to establish the run, create manageable third downs and develop confidence throughout the offense.
The defense also needs to play more aggressively. Texas A&M has recorded only five sacks through six games and allowed Missouri’s Jamal Roberts to rush for 222 yards. Defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill must generate more pressure without leaving the struggling secondary exposed again.
What Texas A&M needs from its coaches
The Aggies need more than a comfortable victory. They need to show the staff has identified what isn't working and is willing to adjust.
That could include changing the offensive rotation, creating more designed opportunities for Reed to run, giving younger players additional snaps, or simplifying defensive assignments. The coaching staff must also decide whether to use the second half to evaluate backup quarterback Brady Hart if A&M builds a comfortable lead.
Texas A&M should beat The Citadel regardless of the game plan. The more important test is whether the Aggies look organized, confident and prepared. With Alabama next, Elko and his staff cannot afford to waste their best chance to start correcting the season.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Why is Texas A&M's coaching staff the X-factor vs. The Citadel?
