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Texas A&M football looks to make statement vs. Texas State to start 2019

By Shelbie Warr

TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 22: Kellen Mond #11 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs the ball in for a touchdown 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)
TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 22: Kellen Mond #11 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs the ball in for a touchdown 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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Texas A&M football opens its hardest season in a while at home on Thursday night against Texas State. Here is everything you need to know.

The Aggies will open the 2019 season against the Bobcats of Texas State before they prepare to head to Clemson to take on the reigning national champions in Week 2.

This game is obviously a must-win for Jimbo Fisher’s Aggies, but it is also a must-dominate. This is a game in which Texas A&M needs to make a statement. Against a much lesser team, they should be winning by at least 30 and holding the Bobcats to two touchdowns or less.

Here is how you can tune into this one:

Date: Thursday, Aug. 29
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Location: College Station, Texas
Venue: Kyle Field
TV: SEC Network
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of Bovada

Line: Texas A&M -33
Over/Under: 58

Keys to Victory

Texas A&M simply has to play their game to win this one. The defense, especially the line, is full of new starters who are looking to replace big names like Kingsley Keke, Otaro Alaka and Daylon Mack, just to name a few. This game is those players first chance to prove that they have every ability to break out and fill in those holes.

Most of the questions lie in the secondary and linebacker units, so look for those guys to be tested right away. For this to be the level of victory it should be, guys like Anthony Hines, Buddy Johnson, Myles Jones and Charles Oliver will have to step up and either fill in the holes left by upperclassmen who left or fix what was broken a season ago.

On the offensive side of the ball, Kellen Mond needs to take care of the ball and be thoughtful with his throws. It may not have much effect against a defense like Texas State’s, but practice makes perfect when you are preparing for a team like Clemson in Week 2. We will see a lot of different receivers and likely both tight ends by the end of this likely route.

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Prediction

This is Texas A&M’s game to lose, and that’s putting it mildly. Look for the offense to get going early and often against a weaker defense in Texas State. Everyone will get involved — and I mean everyone. This one will play out like an NFL preseason game in a sense as the starters will begin the game, but surely won’t finish it. We will get to see a lot of these newer names and see what they have to bring to the table as Fisher gets ready for one of the harder seasons A&M has ever seen.

Final Score: Texas State 10, Texas A&M 49