Texas A&M Football: 3 takeaways from shootout vs. South Carolina

TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 22: Kellen Mond #11 of the Texas A&M Aggies throws a pass during a game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Crimson Tide defeated the Aggies 45-23. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

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COLLEGE STATION, TX – SEPTEMBER 15: Seth Small #47 of the Texas A&M Aggies kicks a 40 yard field goal in the second quarter against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Kyle Field on September 15, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

2. Settling for field goals will get you in trouble

Texas A&M has a big issue. They consistently exchange field goals for touchdowns and that never ends well. Did it cost them big time yet? No, not really minus the loss to Clemson. However, if they can’t get their red zone troubles figured out, this season could fall in a hurry.

It helps that Texas A&M dominates the time of possession and is able to make big time disruptive plays in the backfield due to their strong presence of the defensive line. Will they be able to use that to carry them throughout the rest of the season against teams like Auburn, Mississippi State and LSU? Who knows.

A nearly 25 minute differential in time of possession is a big deal in the SEC. If you can keep the ball and really control the game that way, this may not be a huge issue- but it is still one that needs to be fixed. This game should not have come down to the nitty gritty the way it did. The Aggies should have outscored the Gamecocks by almost 20, but not being able to get into the end zone stressed us all out.