Texas A&M-Kansas State: Aggies Need Road Win For Confidence

The Texas A&M Aggies need a win to build confidence this Saturday when they take on the Kansas State Wildcats in Manhattan.

The Ags were force fed a wake up call when they faced an SEC opponent on neutral ground and were run out of Dallas. They followed that up by losing to a top 15 team at home.

The maroon and white offense is playing very well, averaging 512 yards per game on the season.  That number ranks fourth in the country. They hit a road bump when they played Arkansas, but got back in rhythm against OSU.

If they are going to win this game, however, the defense will need to step their game up and bring some intensity to the table.

The Aggies have not played very tough opponents thus far (aside from the last two games), yet still rank 83rd in the nation in total defense. They better be able to get it together this weekend.

Kansas State lost their star QB Josh Freeman to the draft last year and the offense has yet to adjust. They are 75th in the nation at 358 yards per game and their passing game ranks 91st at just 181 yards per game. 

The Wildcats are 3-3 with wins against UMASS, Tennessee Tech, and Big 12 bottom feeder Iowa State. They lost to UCLA, ULL, and Texas Tech smashed them last Saturday in Lubbock.

Losing to Louisiana-Lafayette is an embarrassing loss for any Big 12 program, no matter who they are.

That being said, A&M better not look past Kansas State to their road contest against Texas Tech next week. Any time you play a Big 12 opponent on the road you'd better bring your A-game.

One thing that could change this game in the Aggies' favor is WR Jeff Fuller, who was cleared to practice this week. That does not say much in terms of whether or not he will play, but it certainly is good news.

I expect a shootout in this one as neither defense is very good. Jerrod Johnson will feast on a defense that has allowed 14 passing touchdowns all season and is only getting to the opposing QB one time per game.

One thing the Aggies will have working for them is Von Miller, who leads nation with nine sacks, being able to get pressure on QB Carson Coffman. They have allowed 13 sacks this year and A&M has 16 sacks in just five games.

All the numbers seem to indicate an easy victory for the Ags, but in recent years the team has never been so cut and dry. Hopefully Mike Sherman and company will have the team ready to go.