Sep 26, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Kyle Allen (10) rolls out of the pocket against the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
One way to view the 14th-ranked Texas A&M Aggies would be to assume that they’re basically in the same place as a year ago when they traveled to Mississippi State.
After all, the Aggies have won four, haven’t lost and most recently survived an overtime thriller versus Arkansas. A year ago, Texas A&M had won five, hadn’t lost and survived an overtime thriller versus Arkansas when the Aggies went to Starkville, Miss.
But Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin said during his Tuesday press conference that way of viewing the Aggies is also known as the wrong way.
“I think this season is completely different,” Sumlin said. “I think people are making a mistake.”
Texas A&M opened this campaign by pouncing on 15th-ranked Arizona State, 38-17. The Aggies then rolled through a couple of non-SEC cupcakes before the conference opener versus Arkansas.
Even the win over the Razorbacks, though similar on the schedule-results sheet, has a bit of a different flavor. A year ago, the victory against the Razorbacks seemed to solidify now-departed quarterback Kenny Hill as the Aggies’ starter. This year, Kyle Allen played to the level the Aggies needed to beat Arkansas. The quarterback spot is a collaboration rather than a competition as freshman Kyler Murray is entering the game on concept plays.
However, Sumlin shifted gears when discussing the upcoming contest versus the SEC West-division-rival Bulldogs. He said this game is similar to a year ago when both teams came in with perfect records. Although 21st-ranked Mississippi State dropped a conference game against LSU, Sumlin said many have been too quick to dismiss the Bulldogs.
“I’m amazed,” Sumlin said about the so-called conventional wisdom on Mississippi State. “You return the most experienced, best quarterback in this league and you’re picked last in this division. I don’t see that.”
Many times, Sumlin appears to be playing the contrarian in his weekly press conference. But when he backs up his positions as well as he did on Tuesday, it seems more like he’s looking at the situation from his own, unclouded perspective.
Will Sumlin continue to be the guy calmly sitting in the driver’s seat as the Aggies go into the grind of SEC play? The next three games versus Mississippi State, Alabama and Mississippi will provide some answers.
NOTES, QUOTES
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
–QB Kyle Allen stepped up and saved the game versus Arkansas. He completed 21 of 28 passes for 358 yards and 2 TDs. With the Aggies trailing by 7 late in the fourth quarter, Allen led an 85-yard TD drive, sparked by a 63-yard completion to Josh Reynolds to the Razorbacks’ 7. Then Allen hit Christian Kirk for the game-winner in overtime.
–WR Josh Reynolds has played well in the shadow of superstar freshman Christian Kirk. Reynolds made the key play in the fourth quarter against Arkansas. As the Aggies delve deeper into SEC play, they’ll likely need Reynolds’ experience to lead the way.
–DE Myles Garrett didn’t produce much in the way of tackle stats against Arkansas. But he made the most of his opportunities as his 2 tackles included a sack for a loss of 9 yards and a forced fumble.
