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

Following a gritty battle in a hostile Death Valley, a streaking LSU squad was able to grind out a 19-7 victory over border rival Texas A&M and enter the bowl season off a win. After weeks of speculation swirling around the job security of head coach Les Miles, the Tigers' tenacious style of football shined through under the lights in what may be the Mad Hatter's final game at Baton Rouge. 

Up next, bowl season approaches with both A&M and LSU primed to jump into postseason competition. With the win, the Tigers should see their stock rise relative to fellow SEC West rivals Texas A&M and Mississippi State, while the Aggies will once again see their standing crumble after midseason woes derailed the squad. 

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

Pass Offense: Brandon Harris and the passing attack failed to gain much traction against the A&M secondary, as he totaled just 83 total yards through the air with one interception. 

Rush Offense: While the passing game struggled, sophomore running back Leonard Fournette and freshman Derrius Guice utilized the ground-and-pound system to eventually break through the Aggies defense. Fournette and Guice combined for 232 yards and two scores, working together on the back-breaking final scoring drive in the fourth quarter. 

Jonathan Bachman/Associated Press

Pass Defense: Even though Kyle Allen and Co. were relatively dangerous on occasion, the LSU secondary limited the Aggies signal-caller to just one score and 161 yards passing. The late interception helped seal the victory, and a constant pass rush kept the young quarterback rattled. 

Rush Defense: The combined onslaught of both Tra Carson and James White was nowhere near as deadly as Fournette and Guice, with both Aggies combining for 95 yards and no scores. A&M's dedication to its ground game proved fatal, as the LSU defense swarmed the rushing attack throughout the game. 

Special Teams: While the two Trent Domingue field goals proved crucial down the stretch, the three misses were certainly a downer throughout the game for the special teams. However, a recovered fumble on a kickoff helped LSU get off to a quick start, and Guice had a brilliant kickoff return to start the second half. 

Coaching: With rumors regarding Les Miles' job security choking up the media for the past few weeks, focusing on A&M must have been difficult. However, LSU played its game, pounding the ball and attacking opposing offenses. 

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

Pass Offense: Pitiful may be one word to describe it, especially considering how explosive this air raid was supposed to evolve into down the road. Kyle Allen and his receivers were only able to compile a despondent 161 yards and a single score, allowing the Tigers secondary to contain most threats throughout the game. 

Jonathan Bachman/Associated Press

Rush Offense: A tough night for the passing game led to a dismal night on the ground, as Carson and White worked for every inch of the 95 yards they gained. At some point, the play-action pass became a formality, with the LSU defense expecting air raid on nearly every down. 

Pass Defense: Harris struggled to find any rhythm through the air, as solid secondary play and inaccuracy plagued the Tigers quarterback. Overall, limiting any team to 83 passing yards is a victory, especially considering Harris' success earlier in the year. 

Rush Defense: The combination of Fournette and Guice proved too much for what was initially a stifling A&M defense, as the two halfbacks blew up late for two scores and a powerful 232 total yards. Fournette was particularly deadly, slicing up the Aggies in the final quarter as the Tigers wound down the clock for the victory. 

Special Teams: The missed Taylor Bertolet field goal was the beginning of the end for A&M, as LSU took off after the miss. Further, the fumble on a kickoff return killed early momentum. 

Coaching: After A&M's season-long struggle with an offense that was considered one of the most explosive in the country, some questions must be raised regarding the play-calling decisions of coordinator Jake Spavital. The change on defense to John Chavis has been critical in improvement on that side of the ball, but lackluster offensive production has hurt any chance A&M had to break into the playoff discussion.