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Texas A&M Football: 5 takeaways from Aggies’ 2018 season

By Shelbie Warr

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 31: Kellen Mond #11 of the Texas A&M Aggies reacts after rushing for a 62-yard touchdown on the second play of the game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the first half of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field on December 31, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 31: Kellen Mond #11 of the Texas A&M Aggies reacts after rushing for a 62-yard touchdown on the second play of the game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the first half of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field on December 31, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

2. An incomplete young secondary held this team back

This was a talented team for the first year under Jimbo Fisher, especially as it was full of guys that he didn’t recruit — Jace Sternberger not withstanding.

There are players on this roster who I’m sure Fisher wouldn’t have chosen to go after had he been given the choice, but there wasn’t much he could do now but recruit and go with what he had. He did just that, led by the likes of a strong defensive line and an undeniably talented running back in Trayveon Williams.

However, this team had one glaring problem: the secondary. Offense wins games, but defense wins championships. Don’t believe me? Just ask Oklahoma who was flushed out by the Tide. If you can’t stop the other team from scoring, not much is going to go well for you.

The Aggies were great on the ground. That was no question. Stopping the run won them quite a few games this season, including an impressive win over Kentucky and running back Benny Snell. However, they were gashed multiple times through the air by anyone with a halfway decent arm. Most of their losses come directly due to a play or two missed by a young and inexperienced group in the secondary.

Fear not though Aggies, help is on the way as some of those younger guys grow up and quite a few talented recruits come in to boost the position group.