Texas Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Kansas State Predictions

In SEC Football by Blake Lovell

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Location: NRG Stadium in Houston, TX

Date and Time: December 28, 9 PM ET (ESPN)

It wasn’t that long ago that Texas A&M found itself in the SEC title hunt.

After starting the season 6-0, the Aggies ran into the one roadblock that they’ve struggled to move: Alabama. The Crimson Tide handed Kevin Sumlin’s team its first loss of the season on October 22, and things were never the same again.

Starting quarterback Trevor Knight was ruled out for the rest of the regular season after getting injured in a bad road loss at Mississippi State. Then the Aggies turned around and lost at home to Ole Miss the following week. And then there was the 54-39 home loss to LSU in the regular season finale.

For a season that started so well, things sure took a turn in College Station.

Of course, that turn of events was enough to get the “fire Sumlin” train rolling again. He’s not going anywhere, but the Texas Bowl clash with Kansas State is more important than it looks.

And the Wildcats aren’t exactly a pushover. Bill Snyder’s squad won its last three games by 15 points or more, which is nothing to scoff at it even if the competition – Baylor, Kansas and TCU – left a lot to be desired.

Kansas State ranked 25th in the country this season in rushing yards (232.9 YPG), with A&M’s defense allowing nearly 190 yards per game this season. However, if John Chavis can get his defense to slow down the ground attack, it’s tough to see the Wildcats scoring enough points to win this game.

There’s no doubt that the Aggies have the more explosive offense, especially if Knight is healthy and ready to go. Josh Reynolds (885 receiving yards, 10 TD’s) and Christian Kirk (842 receiving yards, 9 TD’s) can break off a huge play in the passing game at a moment’s notice, so the Wildcats must find a way to stop that duo.

On the flip side, Kansas State only passed for 154 yards per game this season (117th in the nation), so there’s no secrets in terms of what Kansas State’s offensive strategy will be.

And therein lies the problem for Snyder and company: if Texas A&M finds its playmakers early and gets a couple of quick scores, it puts a lot of pressure on a Kansas State offense that doesn’t offer much of a threat through the air.

Yes, quarterback Jesse Ertz can beat the Aggies with his feet. And it’s not like A&M’s defense has been a model of consistency this season, even with players like Myles Garrett running the show.

But can Ertz beat the Aggies with his arm? That’s exactly what Chavis and his defense want to find out.

Snyder is a great motivator and will have Kansas State ready to play. But overall, Texas A&M is a better team from top to bottom.

If the Aggies show up ready to play, they have the weapons to put this game away late.

Texas Bowl Prediction: Texas A&M 34, Kansas State 20

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