2015 SEC West Division Preview
4. Texas A&M
Life after Johnny Manziel proved to be tougher than expected for Kevin Sumlin and company. The Aggies started hot, but crumbled mid-season. The offense showed us some glimpses behind the arm of Kyle Allen, especially in the bowl game against West Virginia.
Speedy Noil, Josh Reynolds and Ricky Seals-Jones return, giving Allen some weapons to work with. Seniors Tra Carson and Brandon Williams appear to have a lock on the running back duties.
Sep 20, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Kyle Allen (10) Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
On the defensive side of the ball, Texas A&M is hoping that John Chavis can work his magic once again. The Aggies were able to pluck Chavis away from LSU following last season after missing out on Will Muschamp. Chavis has a tall task in fixing the defensive unit. A&M ranked near the bottom of the barrel last year in SEC play defensively and the schedule certainly isn’t going to lighten up this year.
Chavis will need to get every ounce out of stud pass rusher Myles Garrett. Garrett is coming off an 11.5 sack season and will need to contribute even more in 2015. Texas A&M ranked 102nd nationally in total defense. They allowed over 500 yards per game in SEC play. Chavis will need fourth year man De’Vante Harris to step up in the secondary. Harris by far has the most experience in the back half of the defense and will be asked to play along three sophomores in 2015.
If the Aggies want to contend for the Western crown, they will have to navigate through a rough mid-season stretch once again. They get Arkansas, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Alabama in four consecutive weeks.
Next: Mississippi State Bulldogs