Texas A&M vs. Ole Miss: Game Grades, Analysis for Aggies and Rebels

Following an SEC West matchup that, once it finally came to a close, could only be described as merciful, the nation's most cluttered division cleared some of its murkiness as No. 24 Ole Miss downed No. 15 Texas A&M, 23-3, within the friendly confines of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. With the victory, the Rebels improved to 6-2 (3-1 SEC), while the Aggies fell to a dismal 5-2 (2-2 SEC). 

For more details, check out the NCAA box score here. 

Up next for Ole Miss, the Rebels travel to the Plains to face a struggling Auburn squad. Meanwhile, A&M will return to College Station to take on South Carolina. 

	First Half	Second Half
Pass Offense	B	B+
Rush Offense	B-	B
Pass Defense	B	A
Rush Defense	A-	A+
Special Teams	A	B
Coaching	A-	B+

Pass Offense: Compared to many of Chad Kelly's previous games this season, his 26-of-41 performance for 241 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions certainly ranks near the bottom. However, in the end, his play was enough to propel his squad to victory. 

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Rush Offense: The Ole Miss game plan clearly called for a purposeful rushing attack, as Jaylen Walton led a group of backs in a 230-yard display. While no touchdowns were scored, Walton and his group set the tone for the offensive line while providing critical balance for the offense as a whole. 

Pass Defense: While it may be easier to credit A&M quarterback Kyle Allen for the Ole Miss pass defense's success, some praise must fall on the defensive backs for their tight coverage. The second half was nearly perfect, as midway through the fourth quarter the Aggies had negative pass yards and just one completion.

However, a quarterback change proved Ole Miss was still vulnerable to surgical passing strikes, with backup Jake Hubenak producing 46 yards on six completions. 

Rush Defense: With the entire game to analyze, the simplest description of this unit would be stingy. The Ole Miss defensive front embarrassed the A&M offensive line and contained starter Tra Carson and backup James White to just 79 yards on the game. 

Special Teams: After a first half in which kicker Gary Wunderlich drilled three of his first four field goals, the Ole Miss special teams unit didn't find itself on the field for additional scoring opportunities later on. Instead, the Rebels punted the ball on multiple occasions to pin the Aggies deep. 

Coaching: Considering Ole Miss' body of work in this game, head coach Hugh Freeze obviously took mental preparation seriously, as the memory of the Memphis loss all but faded away. Penalties took their toll at points, but poor A&M play and an overall solid defensive performance kept any glaring mental errors from being exposed. 

	First Half	Second Half
Pass Offense	B-	D
Rush Offense	C+	C-
Pass Defense	B	B-
Rush Defense	B-	C
Special Teams	C	B+
Coaching	C+	D+

Pass Offense: The fact that Allen was removed midway through the fourth quarter says more than enough about how this part of the A&M offense performed. After going 11-of-18 for 90 yards and an interception in the first half, Allen finished the day with one more completion, two fewer yards and 22 consecutive passes with no positive gain. 

Rush Offense: Carson had 14 carries for 48 yards and one fumble. After kicking off the game with obvious attempts to run the ball, A&M soon abandoned it as Ole Miss secured leverage behind the Aggies' struggles tossing the rock. Carson and White concluded the evening with just a combined 79 yards on 23 carries. 

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Pass Defense: Statistically, Kelly ended the game below his season averages, throwing just two scores on 241 yards passing with three interceptions. At times throughout the game, the Aggies pass rush disrupted Ole Miss' rhythm, and the only true breakdown in coverage came on a Laquon Treadwell touchdown in the third quarter. 

Rush Defense: After A&M was totally dismantled by Alabama last weekend at the hands of Derrick Henry, Ole Miss took a page from the Tide's playbook, and its committee of running backs, led by Walton, combined for 230 yards. The Rebels rushing attack acted complemented its passing game, preventing A&M from focusing all of its attention on one aspect. 

Special Teams: Outside of Drew Kaser's 10 punts, which averaged 47.9 yards, and the lone Taylor Bertolet field goal, the special teams unit struggled mightily. Usually perfect returner Christian Kirk was completely ineffective, muffing a punt along the way, and the kickoff-return unit was only able to bring out two against the Rebels. 

Coaching: The pregame preparation, the constant mental lapses on offense and the overall way this game was managed all present serious questions about the coaching staff at Texas A&M. Kevin Sumlin has been a beacon of solidity over the past three seasons, but this game will bring about some issues for both him and his staff that will need to be addressed in the coming weeks.