SEC Power Rankings: Alabama is SEC’s only elite team

Nov 28, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Kyle Allen (10) is sacked by LSU Tigers defensive end Lewis Neal (92) in the second quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

Texas A&M finished an up-and-down season with a 19-7 loss to LSU that gave the Aggies an 8-4 regular season record, including a 4-4 mark in conference play. While there is reason to be concerned that A&M didn’t significantly improve on its eight-win season a year ago, the Aggies do have a better record in conference play (A&M was 3-5 in the SEC in 2014), and the team has made solid strides on the defensive side of the football.

However, the Texas A&M offense struggled mightily during the second half of the season. The 250-yard performance against LSU Saturday was the second-worst statistical performance this year, as was the team’s seven points. The Aggies averaged just 20.1 points per game in SEC play this season (more than a touchdown drop per game compared to 2014), and A&M scored an average of 17.2 points per contest over its last six conference games.

Quarterback Kyle Allen threw for 161 yards with one touchdown and one interception on 15-for-28 passing including a 47-yard completion to Josh Reynolds, who led the team with five receptions for 71 yards, but Allen was forced out of the game due to injury as the result of several big hits including four sacks. Running back Tra Carson led the team with 69 rushing yards on 19 carries, but the Aggies struggled in the running game and ran for just 89 yards on total 33 attempts (2.7 yards per carry).

Texas A&M held LSU to a modest 327 total yards of offense and held the Tigers to just 83 passing yards 7-for-21 passing with a sack and an interception, but the Aggies struggled to stop the LSU rushing attack and surrendered 244 yards and two big touchdowns on 47 carries (5.2 yards per attempt).

Next Game: Bowl Game TBD

Next: Mississippi State