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Texas A&M takes on Arizona State this Saturday from Kyle Field in a matchup with the Aggies' lone non-conference Power Four opponent of the season. However, while both A&M (2025) and ASU (2024) have some rebuilding to do from playoff teams, the Sun Devils have fewer resources to do it with and that should play out on the field. Here are some things that A&M can do to take advantage of Arizona State and go to 2 - 0 on the 2026 season. - Win the matchups versus ASU's offensive tackles…the Aggies' Cashius Howell was a much better edge relatively speaking than the people blocking him on almost every weekend of the 2025 campaign. This meant that A&M could get Howell in a five tech alignment and send three other rushers with him without blitzing which gave them more people in coverage. In addition, because he was coming so fast, opponents had to speed things up to get the ball out because Howell would get there (which limited their ability to get the ball down the field). Howell is gone but the matchup advantages may remain. Both of ASU's tackles are taller blockers who will be facing ends that may not speed you up but may make you give ground due to a lack of strength. This can allow the Aggies to generate pressures even if they don't produce sacks, and ASU quarterback Cutter Boley isn't someone who may be able to avoid it or avoid being affected by it from a mental perspective. - A&M's corners winning down the field matchups….Julio Humphrey, Dezz Ricks, and Rickey Gibson can redirect opposing wideouts into the boundary, force quarterbacks into low percentage throws, and not give the wideouts much room to make catches. However, they're facing Omarion Miller and Reed Harris who are both big, strong players who can outmuscle you for the ball. A&M's perimeter guys are going to have to play on islands for long stretches and ASU is counting generating chunk plays from these guys to help make the rest of their offense go. If they don't get any big gains, their whole operation may never get going. - A&M's slot Mario Craver versus ASU's bigger nickels…the Sun Devils play big nickels that are akin to safeties or small outside backers. If Craver can get off of the line and untouched on crossing routes, then it is going to be difficult for those defenders to stay with him and then stop him from getting the yards after the catch that is the most dangerous aspect of his game. - Arizona State versus Kyle Field….the Sun Devils won't just be facing 11 guys across from them on Saturday. The Aggies on the field will be backed by the 10,000 times that number in the stands. It's a different world when you're facing 100,000 fans versus even 80,000 fans, and those folks aren't necessarily hostile as much as they are loud. It's hard to hear yourself think, much less talk to the guy next to you, and when things aren't going well there is nobody there to pick you up emotionally like there is at home. In addition, they've had a lot of turnover, about 30 practices to get used to rely on each other, and most of their players with playing experience haven't faced those types of environments. This might not mean as much later this season when they've got more time together but it's lot to ask of them almost right off of the bat in a big game on national television with coaches and teammates you don't know. It could be the difference in the outcome and at its worst could turn a close game into a comfortable win for the Aggies.