Throughout the summer, we will take an early look at each Clemson football opponent. We continue our coverage with the Texas A&M Aggies.
Throughout the summer, we will take an early look and offer some analysis on each Clemson football opponent for the 2018 season.
Today, let’s take a quick glimpse at Texas A&M.
Clemson Football Early Scouting Report:
Who: Texas A&M Aggies
Game Date: Saturday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. in College Station, Texas.
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Jimbo Fisher (1st Season)
2017 Record: 7-6.
Key Players: RB Trayveon Williams, WR Jhamon Ausbon, QBs Nick Starkel and Kellen Mond, DTs Kingsley Keke and Justin Madubuike, DB Clifford Chattman.
2018 Opponent Outlook:
This is not your typical Texas A&M football team. The Aggies are under new leadership with Jimbo Fisher, but things are not going to be fixed instantly.
Fisher is going to take a team that has been playing an up-tempo spread for years and turn them into a pro-style offense. The Aggies have a little bit of a QB controversy, as well. Sophomore Nick Starkel is expected to be the starter at quarterback, but there’s certainly some kind of battle going on because Kellen Mond is the better runner of the two.
Trayveon Williams, a 1,000 yard rusher, returns this season for the Aggies and they have some solid wide receivers. The question for Texas A&M, honestly, is if they can adjust to Fisher’s offensive style and if their offensive line can hold up.
Defensively, Texas A&M has some talent on the defensive line, but they really struggled last year.
Right now, I would predict Texas A&M to finish around fourth or fifth in the SEC West.
Early Game Analysis:
This game will be close for a while. Texas A&M will come fired up and ready to go. The Aggies certainly have some talent to make some plays, but I just don’t think they’re good enough to end up beating the Tigers even at home.
Next: ACC Win Total Predictions for 2018
Clemson football would have to make some mistakes and help them out.
I see this game being close for a half or so, but then Clemson pulls away as the game progresses. The Tiger defense is just too good and I think this game looks something like 31-17 or 34-20.