AggieYell.com begins its coverage of Texas A&M (4-2, 2-1 SEC)'s matchup with Florida (3-2, 3-1 SEC) with a look at the Aggie offense against the Gator defense.
Texas A&M likely starters
QB: Kellen Mond (Fr.; 6'2", 210; 88-55, 1,045 yards, 7 TD, 3 INT; 65 carries for 266 yards, 2 TD)
RB: Trayveon Williams (Soph.; 5'9", 200; 81 carries for 422 yards and 5 TD)
WR: Jhamon Ausbon (Fr.; 21 catches for 222 yards and 1 TD)
Slot: Christian Kirk (Soph.; 5'11", 200; 27 catches, 316 yards, 5 TD)
WR: Damion Ratley (Sr.; 6'3", 190; 10 catches, 228 yards)
TE: Tanner Schorp (RS-Sr.; 6'3", 245; 3 catches for 13 yards)
LT: Koda Martin (RS-Jr.; 6'6", 310)
LG: Ryan McCollum (RS-Fr.; 6'5", 295)
C: Erik McCoy (RS-Soph.; 6'4", 315)
RG: Connor Lanfear (Jr.; 6'6", 320)
RT: Keaton Sutherland (Jr.; 6'5", 310)
A&M's offense by the numbers
Scoring offense: 34.3 PPG (41st nationally, 4th SEC)
Rushing offense: 224.8 YPG (23rd nationally, 5th SEC)
Passing offense: 200 YPG (89th nationally, 9th SEC)
Total offense: 424.8 YPG (56th nationally, 5th SEC)
1st downs: 133 (22nd nationally, 2nd SEC)
3rd down conversions: 40.8% (56th nationally, 6th SEC)
4th down conversions: 55.6% (59th nationally, 7th SEC)
Red zone offense: 85.2% (61st nationally, 8th SEC)
Sacks allowed: 17 (108th nationally, 12th SEC)
Turnover +/-: +6 (13 takeaways, 7 giveaways; 17th nationally, 4th SEC)
Florida likely starters
DE: CeCe Jefferson (Jr.; 6'1", 242; 18 tackles, 5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 pass broken up)
DT: Taven Bryan (RS-Jr.; 6'4", 291; 13 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks)
DT: Khairi Clark (RS-Jr.; 6'1", 315; 6 tackles, .5 TFL, .5 sacks)
DE: Jabari Zuniga (RS-Soph.; 6'1", 246; 18 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks)
SAM: Kylan Johnson (RS-Soph.; 6'2", 236; 9 tackles)
MIKE: David Reese (Soph.; 6'1", 239; 44 tackles, 3 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT)
WILL: Vosean Joseph (Soph.; 6'1", 227; 24 tackles)
CB: Duke Dawson (Sr.; 5'10", 202; 20 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 INT, 5 passes broken up)
FS: Shawn Davis (Fr.; 5'10", 205; 6 tackles)
SS: Chancey Gardner (Sr.; 6', 207; 32 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 2 passes broken up)
NICKEL: Marco Wilson (Fr.; 6', 177; 16 tackles, 6 passes broken up)
Florida's defense by the numbers
Scoring defense: 24.2 PPG (53rd nationally, 8th SEC)
Rushing defense: 156 YPG (71st nationally, 10th SEC)
Pass defense: 217.2 YPG (54th nationally, 10th SEC)
Total defense: 373.2 YPG (55th nationally, 7th SEC)
3rd down conversions defense: 31% (23rd nationally, 5th SEC)
4th down conversions defense: 80% (121st nationally, 13th SEC)
Red zone defense: 73.3% (24th nationally, 1st SEC)
First downs allowed: 98 (48th nationally, 6th SEC)
Tackles for loss: 35 (32nd nationally, 2nd SEC)
Sacks: 13 (31st nationally, 3rd SEC)
Turnover +/-: -2 (5 takeaways, 7 giveaways; 88th nationally, 1oth SEC)
What the Aggies want to do
Pretty much what's become par for the course for the 2017 Aggies: keep a semblance of balance, but run first when possible and keep Mond from having to do too much. The Gators haven't faced a running attack like A&M's yet, with Mond being able to keep on the run/pass option setting the Aggies apart. They're also far more efficient in the running game than any of UF's opponents -- the next closest opponent would be LSU (who also has the "best" offense of Florida's opponents to date) at 41st in rushing offense, then the totals fall off from there.
A&M's offensive game plan may have a lot to do with Florida's inability to do much of anything with their offense. The main objective here could well be to grind out long drives on the ground and high-percentage passes, with the occasional deep ball thrown in here and there. A&M should be able to move the football -- frankly, considering the quality of offenses they've faced, Florida should be much better than 53rd in the nation on defense -- but turning the ball over would be a game changer.
What Florida wants to do
Pretty simple here: put A&M in a position where things are on Mond's shoulders. That means they're going to have to put a lot of emphasis on winning first down, holding the Aggies to short yardage on the ground and forcing them to throw. As a result, look for 8 guys up in the box and a lot of run-blitzing from a defense that likes to be aggressive whenever possible. They've been battered by a lot of injuries and suspensions, but the talent is still there.
Florida has done a good job getting to the quarterback, which should make A&M's still subpar offensive line (at least in pass blocking) nervous. Kevin Sumlin said he expects Florida DC Randy Shannon to come at Mond from all angles, and they need to get to him. Keeping the Aggies in 2nd and 3rd and long, and forcing some turnovers, will be what the Gators' struggling offense needs to keep pace.
