Tony Thomas
Author
The Aggies of Texas A&M (4-0, 1-0) host the Mississippi State Bulldogs (4-1, 0-1) on Saturday in what will be a haze of maroon across the lush green gridiron of Kyle Field. The 12th man will be loud and proud, a mortal and spiritual force multiplier at its finest.
The Aggies have won the last two meetings and seven total against the Bulldogs since joining the SEC in 2012.
Texas A&M is off to a 4-0 start and ranked No. 6 in the country after a 41-40 win over then No. 8 Notre Dame on Sep. 13 and a win over Auburn last week. Mississippi State is 4-1 with a win over a ranked opponent in Arizona State. Not bad for a team picked to finish dead last in the Southeastern Conference by Phil Steele.
Quarterback Blake Shapen has performed well in coach Jeff Lebby’s offense so far this season. Shapen has thrown for 1,064 yards, eight TDs and only three INTs. He has completed 65.9 percent of his passes. Also, Shapen has thrown at least one touchdown pass in every game thus far.
At running back, Fluff Bothwell has rushed for 405 yards and six scores and has averaged 5.79 yards per carry. He is coming off a 134-yard, two-touchdown effort in the loss to Tennessee.
Wide receiver Brenen Thompson has hauled in 20 passes for 324 yards and three TDs. He has averaged 16.20 yards per catch.
The Bulldog’s secondary is tied for first in the SEC in INTs with seven, and is third in the conference in opponents’ third down conversions.
QB Marcel Reed has been a more than capable leader of the Aggies’ offense. Through four games, Reed has thrown for 1,076 yards, nine touchdowns and just 2 INTs.
Reed’s favorite target is Mario Craver. Craver is second in the FBS with 119 receiving yards per game. He has averaged 19.88 yards per catch.
Le’Veon Moss totes the rock for the Aggies. Moss has gained 307 yards and five TDs on the ground, and has averaged 5.69 yards per carry.
Defensive end Cashius Howell is a force with four sacks and five tackles for loss.
On paper, these teams appear to be about even. But the Aggies are more talented top to bottom. In addition, Kyle Field is one of the toughest venues in the SEC.
The decibel level is deafening, making it tough for opposing offenses to hear pre-snap commands. With a smattering of cowbells spread across the grandstands, it won’t be enough to overcome the collective voice of Aggieland on a Saturday.
Final Score: Texas A&M 35 – Mississippi State 21
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