Auburn Football: Game-by-game predictions for Tigers in 2018
The Aggies have a new coach in Jimbo Fisher and the offense will change from the Air Raid into a pro-style, slow tempo attack. Fisher’s offense wasn’t quite as effective without Dalvin Cook and Texas A&M has a good but not elite back in Trayveon Williams. Williams ran for 798 yards and eight touchdowns a year ago.
Texas A&M is ranked 24th in the S&P+ pre-season poll but they’ll be reeling from a tough schedule that sees them play Clemson, Alabama, South Carolina, and Mississippi State before heading to Jordan-Hare to face the Tigers.
In Kevin Sumlin‘s final year in College Station both the offense and defense struggled. The Aggies finished 2017 ranked 48th in offense per the S&P+ but with seven starters returning and Fisher’s approach could see that improve. Nick Starkel looks to have the edge as the starter after throwing for 14 touchdowns while sharing the role with Kellen Mond. At this point in the season, I suspect Fisher will have settled on a passer as his offense is complicated and quarterback-centric.
The Tigers will have a change of pace from Ole Miss to A&M but should be able to handle the Aggies offense once again. The Aggies defense returns seven starters as well but was ranked only 71st a year ago. Mike Elko comes from Notre Dame where his defense was ranked 27th per the S&P+ last year. I would expect improvement defensively, especially with Landis Durham (105 stops) and Tyrel Dodson (10.5 sacks) back for another season.