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Rapid reaction: Aggies go down in Oxford to fired-up Mississippi
By Will Heath
Published:
Rapid reaction to Texas A&M’s 23-3 loss to Mississippi in Oxford:
What it means: Prior to last week’s massive showdown with Alabama in College Station, SEC Network analyst (and former Alabama QB) Greg McElroy declared the game would prove Aggies are “legit national title contenders … in 2016.” That game was obviously the first dose of reality Aggie fans received and tonight’s loss is the second. Texas A&M isn’t a bad team, but isn’t yet ready to run at the front of the SEC West pack. Ole Miss still is. The Rebels still control their own destiny in the SEC West.
What I liked: Very little with the Aggies. They were dominated in pretty much every way imaginable Saturday night at Vaught-Hemingway. About the nicest thing I can think to say is that the defense kept Ole Miss out of the end zone for most of the first half. The Aggies did force Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly into three interceptions, but he still completed 26 of 41 passes for 241 yards and two scores. I also liked that Ole Miss finally ran the ball well, gaining 230 yards on the night.
What I didn’t like: The shootout that was all but guaranteed by matching the league’s two best offenses never materialized, mostly because Ole Miss’ defense strangled A&M. Kyle Allen looked rattled for much of the night, missing open receivers and generally running for his life from a fierce Rebel rush before Kevin Sumlin ultimately replaced him. And when the Aggies had a chance to change momentum — after a Myles Garrett interception following an iffy chop block call that wiped away a Rebel touchdown — the Aggies managed only a field goal and went to halftime down 16-3. They were never really in it after that.
Who’s the man?: Armani Watts finished with an incredible 20 tackles for the game, while punter Drew Kaser (yeah) averaged 47.9 yards per kick, including a 60-yarder.
What’s next: Texas A&M hosts South Carolina Saturday at noon (ET). Ole Miss has Auburn, also at noon.
Will Heath is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football.
