In the Texas Bowl, will Oklahoma State’s explosive ground game pose any challenges for the Aggies’ run defense?
Because the Aggies defense will be without its best tackler, Oklahoma State may be able to exploit their already strong ground game.
The Texas Bowl between the Aggies and Cowboys takes place at NRG Stadium in Houston on December 27. The Cowboys lead the all-time series 18-10. This is the 28th meeting between the two teams, who were Big 12 brothers from 1996 to 2012.
The Aggies are playing their first game under new head coach Mike Elko, but Elijah Robinson, the former interim coach, will be in charge for his final game before Elko takes over. A&M wants to send Robinson off with a win.
The Cowboys would prefer to close the season with a victory over the Aggies after losing handily to the Longhorns in the Big 12 Championship game last month.
One of the main goals of the Aggies’ game plan will be to stop Oklahoma’s ground game. Ollie Gordon II, who ranks second in the nation with 20 rushing touchdowns and leads the nation in rushing yards (1,614), is the focal point of the Cowboys’ rushing attack.
Although there are other weapons in the Cowboys’ arsenal for their running game, Gordon is the main one. Elijah Collins and Jaden Nixon combined for 339 yards on 80 carries and three touchdowns on the ground.
With just 3.2 yards allowed per carry and just 108.1 yards allowed per game, the A&M run defense is ranked No. 16 in the country and No. 14 in the nation overall. Gordon will carry the ball for the Cowboys, putting that unit to the test frequently.
Thus far this season, the Aggies’ only defensive ranking in the top 10 is based on total yards allowed. A&M’s defense allows 300.0 total yards per game, which is No. 10 in the nation.
Leading tackler Edgerrin Cooper, who is preparing to enter the 2024 NFL Draft, will regrettably not be playing for the Aggies defense. Rather, with nearly 20 fewer tackles than Cooper
Thus far this season, the Aggies’ only defensive ranking in the top 10 is based on total yards allowed. A&M’s defense allows 300.0 total yards per game, which is No. 10 in the nation.
Leading tackler Edgerrin Cooper, who is preparing to enter the 2024 NFL Draft, will regrettably not be playing for the Aggies defense. Rather, with nearly 20 fewer tackles than Cooper, A&M’s top tackler going into the game is linebacker Taurean York. But anticipate York playing a bigger part in the defensive scheme now that Cooper is out.
