⚡ CFB Dashboard

- Texas A&M is ranked 15th in the Southeastern Conference in passer rating (124). LSU is ranked 10th in passer rating defense (124). - Texas A&M's passing offense is based on pre snap reads directing the ball to one side of the field or the other and then high/low reads in the passing game to that particular side. They depend on Marcel Reed's ability to get the ball into the hands of his favorite playmakers. Everything else at this point in time depends on the development of the offensive line in terms of its pass protection capabilities since this will dictate the depth of the Aggies' routes and how often Reed needs to move around. - LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker wants to get up field and generate havoc plays (negative plays….sacks, turnovers, tackles for loss) about 25% of the time. They used like to send five rushers (including their backers) especially through the B gaps while they play fire zone coverages behind it. However, they're first in sacks in the SEC and so they're blitzing far less than in past seasons, playing two high looks that morph into man, cover 2, and cover 4. - A&M quarterback Marcel Reed's mobility can make opposing defenses pay for getting too far up the field and also keep them from coming too hard, buying him more time to throw the ball. Reed takes deep drops and moves side enable him to avoid sacks but also incur them. His footwork and delivery can vary from throw to throw. He continues to be a great distributor on RPOs but will look for certain guys that he trusts (X receiver Isaiah Horton has been targeted more than anyone else so far in 2026). Zone coverages (especially variations of cover 3 where defenders rotate from outside of his line of vision) remain an issue for him. - The Aggies' offensive line continues to struggle in pass protection at the guard spots, both in terms of turning people loose as well as their technique (hands were too low at times to deal with a rusher's momentum). In addition, the left tackle spot has had their issues. Reed's mobility acts as a deterrent on opposing pass rushes to an extent and keeps rushers in their lanes. - LSU's defensive tackle room has undersized guys with a lot of get off in starters Deuce Gerald and Stephiylan Green which could cause problems for the Aggies' guards. Edge Princewill Umanmielen is a Florida transfer who was one of the biggest names in the transfer portal. He relies more on his length and motor to win and has six sacks as well as 14 pressures. Jordan Ross (11 pressures) was a rotational guy at Tennessee but uses his speed and sleeve length at 77 inches to beat tackles before they get set. - A&M's backs can serve as checkdown receivers and Reed will look for them on high/low concepts to one side of the field or the other (with a wideout running the deeper route). Rueben Owens is more precise on routes while Jamarion Morrow and KJ Edwards are more likely to make you miss. - Backer Whit Weeks (range, agility) and TJ Dottery (experience) have been very good in coverage this season and can blitz effectively (not asked to do that as much this year). They don't miss many tackles. - Slot Mario Craver has been best at running deep overs and can generate yards after the catch on screens (which could change versus LSU's blitzes) or targets. Horton is making Reed a more productive player by catching fade routes in contested situations, and by using his six foot four frame to draw flags and move the chains. The loss of Terry Bussey means that youngsters like Aaron Gregory will have to work more on their routes, and everyone needs to work back to Reed more when he scrambles. - Safety Tamarcus Cooley can align just about anywhere and do just about everything from covering deep routes to run support. The corners include 6-foot-4 PJ Woodland who struggles to break on intermediate routes and can miss tackles in space. It's not the same level of athleticism you're used to back there but they're allowing fewer big plays. - Reed has done very well versus LSU's pressure in the past because he can elude first level defenders who don't stay in their rush lanes. The same thing could occur this season. In addition, he struggles more versus cover three schemes than what he might face this weekend. However, the crowd noise and A&M's struggles in pass pro could make things difficult for him, and the Tigers could employ more of those cover three concepts in light of his past problems with them. All of this could make things very problematic for him.