Auburn vs. Texas A&M: Game Grades, Analysis for Tigers and Aggies

The Auburn Tigers (5-4, 2-4 SEC) upset the No. 19 Texas A&M Aggies (6-3, 3-3 SEC), 26-10, on Saturday night in College Station, Texas. 

Auburn quarterback Jeremy Johnson returned to the lineup and had his best game of the season. Johnson completed 13 of 17 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown.

However, it was Auburn's running game that was the story on the night. The Tigers rushed for 311 yards on 52 carries, led by Jovon Robinson's 159 yards. 

Positional Unit	First-Half Grade	Second-Half Grade
Pass Offense	B-	B-
Run Offense	A	A
Pass Defense	A	A-
Run Defense	B-	B+
Special Teams	B+	B+
Coaching	A	A

Pass Offense: Johnson was efficient. He was benched earlier in the season because he turned the ball over too much. He didn't turn the ball over against the Aggies. He also made some big throws downfield to keep Texas A&M's defense honest. 

Run Offense: The running game was dominant from start to finish. Robinson had his best game as a Tiger, and other players chipped in with impressive performances, too. Auburn had its way with Texas A&M, converting numerous third downs with strong runs. 

Pass Defense: The Tigers picked off three passes and allowed just 137 yards passing. That's impressive against a dynamic offense. Auburn held Christian Kirk to just 44 yards receiving, and he was never a factor. 

Run Defense: Sure, the Tigers allowed 166 yards, but that doesn't tell the complete story. Texas A&M couldn't sustain drives running the football. 

Special Teams: Daniel Carlson hit all four of his field goals and is arguably the top kicker in the country. Carlson's strong leg also kept A&M's Speedy Noil from making any big plays on kick returns. 

Coaching: Gus Malzahn coached his best game of the year. He'd use misdirection on one play, then come back with power. Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp's unit was terrific. The defense kept pressure on the quarterback and didn't allow any big plays. 

Positional Unit	First-Half Grade	Second-Half Grade
Pass Offense	D	C-
Run Offense	B-	B
Pass Defense	C+	C+
Run Defense	F	D
Special Teams	B+	B-
Coaching	C-	C

Pass Offense: Kyler Murray turned the ball over three times and didn't make any big plays in the passing game. Texas A&M's only touchdown came from the arm of Jake Hubenak. Overall, the Aggies passed for only 137 yards, and their talented receivers did nothing. 

Run Offense: Tra Carson ran for 109 yards on 21 carries. It was a solid performance, but he had no help. Murray ran for 37 yards before leaving the game. 

Pass Defense: A&M allowed only 132 yards passing. However, Auburn attempted just 17 passes. When Johnson needed a big play downfield, he made it. The Aggies couldn't force a turnover, either. 

Run Defense: Any time you allow over 300 yards rushing, you're unlikely to win. The Tigers ran all over Texas A&M. While the Aggies did buckle down in the red zone in the second half, it wasn't enough. 

Special Teams: Taylor Bertolet hit a 50-yard field goal, his only attempt of the game. Outside of one kick return, the Aggies didn't make any plays in the return game. 

Coaching: Head coach Kevin Sumlin and defensive coordinator John Chavis were outcoached. Sumlin did little to get Murray comfortable, while Chavis had no answers for Auburn's running game.