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OFFENSE: B+
It’s hard to quibble with 73 points, even against Lamar. But the team has to take better care of the football. The Aggies fumbled four times against Lamar, losing two, and Kyle Allen threw an interception near the end of the first half.
The offense nearly was flawless otherwise, scoring 10 touchdowns, kicking a field goal and never punting. Texas A&M now has more than 1,300 yards of total offense in two games, and the Aggies did it without two starters in Tra Carson and Cameron Clear.
DEFENSE: A-
Lamar moved the ball well at times in the first quarter and also converted three of four times on fourth down.
The defense showed a level of aggressiveness that bodes well for the Aggies. The offense is going to score points and the defense is going to give up yards, so A&M may be wise to consider going after sacks and turnovers at the expense of a few big plays.
Freshman Myles Garrett made two sacks against Lamar and Deshazor Everett collected an interception and a highlight-worthy tackle.
SPECIAL TEAMS: A-
Noil had a 53-yard kickoff return and a 67-yard punt return, but managed to get tackled before the goal line on the latter play despite the presence of blockers and the fact that an off-balance Lamar defender only managed to get one arm on him.
COACHING: A
A&M threw for more than 400 yards, but did so while operating a balanced offense (36 rushes vs. 42 passes). Since Jake Spavital assumed control of the play-calling duties before the bowl game, the offense nearly has been unstoppable. Garrett and Speedy Noil have contributed immediately, and though Allen wasn’t as sharp as Kenny Hill, he played well in his college debut.
This team has looked more prepared than its opponents in each game, and Kevin Sumlin is getting credit in the media as one of the country’s best coaches.
OVERALL: A
Many in the media doubted Texas A&M as a legitimate Top 25 team before the season, pegging them as the fifth- or sixth-best team in the SEC West. There’s still some wait-and-see with the Aggies’ defense. But a No. 7 ranking in the Associated Press following two resounding wins, an entertaining offense, the discovery of Kenny Trill and the renovated, raucous Kyle Field all are reasons the A&M fan base may be the most excited of any team in the SEC.
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
