For the second straight week, the Aggies suffered defeat at the hands of a Magnolia State school.
The Egg Bowl rivals, Mississippi State and Ole Miss, have scrambled the near-pristine picture A&M had painted for itself entering November.
Although notching the same result--one-score victories--the Bulldogs and Rebels got there in opposite ways. Mississippi State started fast, running out to a 28-7 first-half advantage. Ole Miss closed strong, winning the fourth quarter, 23-7. It's the finish versus the Rebs that may particularly vex the Ags.
It marked the third time this season A&M has lost a two-touchdown, fourth quarter lead. However, the Aggies did go on to win two of those games in overtime (UCLA and Tennessee).
A&M hasn't started contests as quick as in recent years, but sped out of the gates efficiently on Saturday. They gained 163 total yards in the first quarter. But the Aggies spun their wheels for the remainder, averaging just 60 yards per frame the rest of the way.
Ultimately, the Rebels caught up and moved ahead.
Texas A&M started November with a 7-1 record and a lofty ranking to go with it. Perhaps, in hindsight, some trouble began weeks prior. Despite beating a good Tennessee team in an overtime thriller at Kyle Field on October 8, the Volunteers played keep away with the football and amassed a staggering amount of total yards. It started a conference-play trend.
In the Aggies last 4 SEC games (against Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi State and Ole Miss), foes have run an average of 20 more offensive plays (89.8-69.5) and gained an average of 150 more total yards (549.8-398.5).Â
Everything works hand in hand. The offense looks to keep the ball and allow the defense to rest. The defense looks to get off the field and get it back to the offense. Saturday it wasn't the formula. Both the Ags and Rebs averaged exactly 5.5 yards per snap. The problem: Ole Miss snapped it 89 times, the Aggies just 62.
"We didn't have a lot of possessions," head coach Kevin Sumlin said. "Looking back, every down matters."
He's correct. This was a one-point game. Every inch, each mistake, each play is compounded.
What does it all up to?
Despite the sting of consecutive losses, opportunity is still in abundance for this football team.
Thanks in part to some chaos around the SEC (and maybe with more carnage to come), the Aggies are still in the 'New Year's Six' mix.
Texas A&M may have a sour palate after digesting the last two weeks, but the taste of sugar could sweeten things.
If these Aggies can claim home victories over UTSA and LSU the next two weeks, a trip to the Crescent City and the Sugar Bowl is certainly not out of the question.
This squad still has the opportunity to claim 10 victories and a New Year's Six title.Â
Kevin Sumlin knows the only way make good on these chances is to make the most of the next one.
"All you can do is win the game that's in front of you. We've got to get back to being confident in what we do."
In the SEC, opportunity is all a team is allowed.
Make the most of it, and that picture looks a little brighter.
And things could taste a little sweeter.
Â
The Egg Bowl rivals, Mississippi State and Ole Miss, have scrambled the near-pristine picture A&M had painted for itself entering November.
Although notching the same result--one-score victories--the Bulldogs and Rebels got there in opposite ways. Mississippi State started fast, running out to a 28-7 first-half advantage. Ole Miss closed strong, winning the fourth quarter, 23-7. It's the finish versus the Rebs that may particularly vex the Ags.
It marked the third time this season A&M has lost a two-touchdown, fourth quarter lead. However, the Aggies did go on to win two of those games in overtime (UCLA and Tennessee).
A&M hasn't started contests as quick as in recent years, but sped out of the gates efficiently on Saturday. They gained 163 total yards in the first quarter. But the Aggies spun their wheels for the remainder, averaging just 60 yards per frame the rest of the way.
Ultimately, the Rebels caught up and moved ahead.
Texas A&M started November with a 7-1 record and a lofty ranking to go with it. Perhaps, in hindsight, some trouble began weeks prior. Despite beating a good Tennessee team in an overtime thriller at Kyle Field on October 8, the Volunteers played keep away with the football and amassed a staggering amount of total yards. It started a conference-play trend.
In the Aggies last 4 SEC games (against Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi State and Ole Miss), foes have run an average of 20 more offensive plays (89.8-69.5) and gained an average of 150 more total yards (549.8-398.5).Â
Everything works hand in hand. The offense looks to keep the ball and allow the defense to rest. The defense looks to get off the field and get it back to the offense. Saturday it wasn't the formula. Both the Ags and Rebs averaged exactly 5.5 yards per snap. The problem: Ole Miss snapped it 89 times, the Aggies just 62.
"We didn't have a lot of possessions," head coach Kevin Sumlin said. "Looking back, every down matters."
He's correct. This was a one-point game. Every inch, each mistake, each play is compounded.
What does it all up to?
Despite the sting of consecutive losses, opportunity is still in abundance for this football team.
Thanks in part to some chaos around the SEC (and maybe with more carnage to come), the Aggies are still in the 'New Year's Six' mix.
Texas A&M may have a sour palate after digesting the last two weeks, but the taste of sugar could sweeten things.
If these Aggies can claim home victories over UTSA and LSU the next two weeks, a trip to the Crescent City and the Sugar Bowl is certainly not out of the question.
This squad still has the opportunity to claim 10 victories and a New Year's Six title.Â
Kevin Sumlin knows the only way make good on these chances is to make the most of the next one.
"All you can do is win the game that's in front of you. We've got to get back to being confident in what we do."
In the SEC, opportunity is all a team is allowed.
Make the most of it, and that picture looks a little brighter.
And things could taste a little sweeter.
Â