Texas A&M Aggies vs. Army Black Knights

The Aggies and the Black Knights meet in a battle filled with pride and heart

Texas A&M vs. Army Overview:

The Texas A&M Aggies have had a tough time adjusting to the new offensive system of coach Mike Sherman, but the defense is still a solid unit. The Army Black Knights are also adapting to a new coach in Stan Brock and an entirely new offensive system as well. The changes have had slow results, but there are strong signs of the programs coming together. Both the Army Black Knights and the Texas A&M Aggies are steeped in football tradition and have spirits that cannot be matched.

Texas A&M Aggies Offense:

The quarterback situation is uncertain for the A&M Aggies thanks to a nagging injury to starter Stephen McGee. Young QB Jerrod Johnson can step in and start and is an athletic player that can make plays with his legs. RB Mike Goodson is the best player on the Texas A&M Aggies roster and is the center of the wide-open offense. FB Jorvorskie Lane is a huge player and is adjusting to his role as a blocker. Freshman WR Jeff Fuller is quickly growing into a great target for either quarterback.

Texas A&M Aggies Defense:

The Texas A&M Aggies may have found a great defensive player in sophomore DL/LB Von Miller who was a strong force against the Miami Hurricanes. Giant DT Kellen Heard is responsible for controlling the line of scrimmage and is the key player on the Texas A&M Aggies front four. Because the Texas A&M Aggies favor a 4-2-5 alignment, the play of the defensive backs is paramount. S Devin Gregg is the heart of the Teas A&M secondary and the defense as a whole.

Army Black Knights Offense:

New head coach Stan Brock is all about ball-control football and thinks he has the talent to implement it. QB Chip Bowden is a perfect fit for the option offense that the Army Black Knights want to use and will need to develop more if he wants to be truly effective. QB Carson Williams is more of a pocket passer and likes his targets in Carlo Sandiego and Jameson Carter. FB Colin Mooney is a perfect fit for the option offense and provides veteran leadership to the Army Black Knights backfield.

Army Black Knights Defense:

Veteran MLB Frank Scappaticci leads the Army Black Knights 4-3 defense and has been a three-time letterman. The Army Black Knights boast three seniors in their linebacking corps, and the trio hunts down ball carriers with reckless abandon. CB Jordan Trimble leads a young and athletic Army Black Knights secondary that looks to bring down any errant passes that their veteran front seven might force. The great experience makes the Army Black Knights stout against the run.

Texas A&M Aggies Keys to Victory:

Stability at the quarterback position will be a question that has to be answered. With both Stephen McGee and Jerrod Johnson nicked up, it will be a game-time decision who gets the start. Whoever lines up behind center, the Texas A&M Aggies will have to get the running game going with Mike Goodson. A heavy dose of Mike Goodson will help open up the young Army Black Knights secondary to an aerial assault with WR Jeff Fuller leading the way. Jorvorskie Lane may be counted on to wear down the experienced Army Black Knights front seven.

Since the Army Black Knights favor the run, the Texas A&M Aggies defense must be ready to crowd the box and win the battle at the line of scrimmage. The 6-foot-6, 350-pound DT Kellen Heard will have to play up to his size in order to stop the Army Black Knights rushing attack. If the freakish Kellen Heard can occupy two or three blockers, then the Texas A&M Aggies should have no problem stopping the option offense. OLB Von Miller draws the responsibility of containing the rotation of running QBs for the Army Black Knights.

Army Black Knights Keys to Victory:

The running game is the heart of the Army Black Knights, and they live and die by it. QB Carson Williams is the passing QB while QB Chip Bowden is the option run specialist. Chip Bowden will be the main weapon for the Army Black Knights as he fits the system the best. FB Collin Mooney is the primary runner in the backfield and will be asked to carry the load. The Army Black Knights offensive line must move Kellen Heard out of the middle to have any success with the power run or option.

The Army Black Knights defense will also be trying to hold the line of scrimmage. They may not have a huge mauler like Kellen Heard but their experienced linebackers are difference makers and have instincts that cannot be taught. MLB Frank Scappaticci must be protected from the likes of Jovorskie Lane so he can find Mike Goodson. The Army Black Knights could utilize more blitzes to get pressure on the injured QBs of the Texas A&M Aggies.

Aggies vs. Black Knights Outlook:

It has been a rough season for the Texas A&M Aggies and the Army Black Knights. Each has the talent to win many games, and they both have brilliant head coaches to achieve this. Adjusting to a new system is always hard for an offense and growing pains are to be expected. The Texas A&M Aggies and the Army Black Knights do have great defenses and a lot of experience on that side of the ball.

The Texas A&M Aggies going against the Army Black Knights will be a defensive struggle as the power running games slam into the aggressive defenses. When it comes to a bare-knuckle brawl like this, the biggest man usually wins. With that in mind the Texas A&M Aggies have the bigger food bill and the heavier barbells. The size of the Texas A&M Aggies lines gives them the advantage in this powers vs. power matchup.