Oklahoma State vs Texas A&M: 5 Things We Learned About the Aggies in Loss

If Texas A&M wanted to leave the Big 12 with the conference title in 2011, the Aggies hopes went down in a blaze of orange Saturday evening in College Station, as Oklahoma State was able to hold for 30-29 win over A&M.

Besides the loss to the Cowboys, there were other facts learned about this Texas A&M team, as Coach Mike Sherman will need to refocus his squad after today’s contest, with a rivalry game with the SEC’s Arkansas Razorbacks on tap next weekend.

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Defense Not as Good as Advertised

As the Aggies entered this game, the program was ranked at 15^th in the nation in total defense, but showed their true colors after getting pushed around by Brandon Weeden and the potent Oklahoma State offense for nearly 500 yards total.

Turnovers

Just like defense in the previous slide, the turnovers were much more than expected in tonight’s game against the Cowboys, as the team accumulated four turnovers given up, three of those interceptions thrown by the normally efficient Ryan Tannehill.

Easy Early Schedule

The Aggies were once again another program that were exposed after playing an easy early schedule that included Idaho and Southern Methodist in the first two weeks of the season.

While you can argue that there are few teams that match the style of play of Oklahoma State, Texas A&M were not ready for the kind of attack that the Cowboys brought to College Station this evening.

Rushing Offense Needs a Bigger Place in Offense

If Texas A&M doesn’t want to have shoot outs with other Big 12 members later in the season, the Aggies will need to get the ball in the hands of running back Christine Michael and utilize some quarterback runs by Ryan Tannehill to take the pressure off the passing game.

Receiver Ryan Swope Becoming Playmaker

In today’s loss to Oklahoma State, the Aggies were led in receiving not by Jeff Fuller, but by junior receiver Ryan Swope, who had seven catches for 105 yards through the air.

While most defenses would have eyes on Fuller in game planning during game week, opposing teams might have to take a look at Swope in the remaining portion of the Aggies schedule this season.